What Are the Most Useful Additional Certifications for Teachers to Acquire? 

Explore essential certifications for educators, from National Board to subject-specific, technology integration, and inclusive education. Enhance your teaching skills and career at Peru State College.

Both current and aspiring teachers have the option to pursue a myriad of credentials. Education certification, in certain instances, pertains to board certification, indicating the attainment of specific professional benchmarks. Additionally, specialty certifications are available, showcasing proficiency in working with particular student demographics and specialized subject matters. These certifications are typically overseen by national and state organizations and associations, offering teachers opportunities to demonstrate their expertise and dedication within their chosen fields.

Let’s discuss the most useful additional certifications for teachers, including specialized certifications, technology integration certifications, and inclusive education certifications. 

Specialized Subject Area Certifications

National Board Certification

The National Board Certification represents a prestigious and voluntary accreditation that transcends standard state licensure. Administered by the esteemed National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), it serves as a recognition of seasoned teachers' exceptional teaching abilities.

Prospective candidates navigate a rigorous, peer-reviewed assessment process, showcasing their proficiency in subject matter, pedagogical skills, and capacity to advance student learning. Earning this certification underscores a deep commitment to ongoing professional development and a steadfast dedication to excellence in the teaching profession. 

Subject-Specific Certifications

Subject-specific certifications offer an opportunity for teachers to specialize in a certain subject area. These areas could include English, history, or math. These types of certifications can lead to higher-level positions, as well as specialized services relevant to the chosen subject. 

Technology Integration Certifications

Google Certified Educator

Google provides a range of tools and educational technology (EdTech) applications aimed at aiding teachers in familiarizing themselves with digital resources tailored for teaching and learning purposes. The Google Certified Educator program serves as a pathway for teachers and teachers to obtain a badge certifying their mastery of various Google EdTech tools and modern teaching methodologies. Through this program, teachers can enhance their proficiency in over 18 Google Tools, including Google Classroom, Docs, Forms, Sheets, Sites, Slides, and Google Meet, while also acquiring knowledge of innovative teaching approaches suitable for the digital era.

• Integrating Digital Tools in Classrooms: Obtaining a Google Certification for teachers can streamline the digital experience within your classroom. In today's modern educational landscape, teachers adept at integrating these tools into daily lessons enhance the learning process, making it imperative to possess proficiency in such digital resources.
• Establishing Credibility: While earning a Google Certified Educator badge may demand a few hours of your time, the credibility it bestows upon you as an educator in the digital era lasts a lifetime. Your certification serves as tangible evidence of your commitment to staying current in the field of education.
• Modern Teaching Techniques and Digital Instruction: The Google Certified Educator course encompasses contemporary teaching methodologies and digital pedagogy. Through this program, teachers gain insight into cutting-edge teaching practices and acquire essential skills tailored for the digital age.
• Continuous Upskilling: Beyond enriching the classroom learning experience, this certification enables you to augment your teaching repertoire by adding a valuable skill to your resume.

Microsoft Certified Educator

The Microsoft Certified Educator Program serves as a comprehensive professional development initiative tailored for teachers seeking to refine their digital competencies or enhance their resumes as modern-day instructors. Designed to empower teachers, this program provides training in over 13 Microsoft Office Tools, as well as equips them with the essential skills required in today's educational landscape.

Inclusive Education Certifications

Universal Design for Learning Certification

CAST and the UDL Implementation & Research Network (UDL-IRN) are leading an effort to advance the field of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by fostering, supporting, and sustaining best practices. This program encompasses the creation of credentials and certifications geared towards enhancing product development, classroom teaching methodologies, and the widespread adoption of UDL principles throughout schools. The overarching goal is to meet the escalating demand for UDL and its capacity to cater to the diverse needs of all learners.

Credential 1: UDL Mindset: This foundational credential delves into the fundamental principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), encompassing concepts such as variability, barriers, and expert learning. It serves as an ideal entry point for embarking on a journey towards UDL credentialing.

Credential 2: UDL Analysis: Participants in this credentialing program engage in analyzing real-world scenarios to assess how design elements mitigate barriers, accommodate learner diversity, and align with the UDL Guidelines.

Credential 3: UDL Application: In this credentialing phase, participants undertake the planning, execution, feedback collection, and refinement of their own learning experience designs, such as lessons, using UDL principles. This credential supports participants in navigating the UDL design process, which involves intentional planning across goals, assessments, materials, methods, and physical environments.

Differentiated Instruction Certification

Differentiated instruction involves customizing lessons to cater to the unique interests, requirements, and strengths of individual students. By adopting this approach, students are afforded the freedom and adaptability to learn according to their preferences, while teachers can personalize the learning experience. This method emphasizes instructional clarity and well-defined learning objectives, facilitating students in effectively achieving their educational goals.

Differentiated instruction offers significant advantages as it enables teachers to accommodate various learning styles among students. Recognizing that not all students respond equally to traditional lectures, this approach allows for alternative methods, such as games or videos, which may better engage certain learners. Additionally, while some students may excel with reading materials, others might prefer computer-based activities. By providing students with choices regarding their learning methods, teachers empower them to achieve learning objectives in the manner that suits them best.

Continued Learning at Peru State College

If you’re looking to continue to grow your skills and knowledge, pursuing a master's degree in education or certification program could be the perfect choice. At Peru State College, we are committed to providing you with the support, guidance, and resources essential for advancing in your career, regardless of the educational path you select. With our renowned faculty, affordable tuition, and flexible scheduling options, we're here to empower you to succeed in your academic and professional goals.

If you’re just starting out in the education field, we also offer comprehensive bachelor's degree programs. 

If you’re interested in our master’s in education program, reach out to learn more or apply today.