PROFESSIONAL LEARNING for EDUCATORS

Curriculum Associates | Educator Success • Senior Design Director

Professional Learning bridges the gap between new products and effective classroom implementation, empowering educators to transform their teaching practices. The Educator Success team is dedicated to scaling Curriculum Associates’ Professional Learning business, expanding its reach, driving innovation, and finding new ways to support educators, ensuring every student has access to high-quality, equitable education.

Currently in Development

BACKGROUND

Theory

Professional Learning leads to educator satisfaction and business growth!

Problem

Professional Learning is the key to successful product implementations, yet in-person PL sessions pose logistical and financial challenges for both customers and the company. Currently, only 60% of educators receive in-person Professional Learning from a Curriculum Associates expert leaving many without the support they need to effectively implement our products in the classroom.

Opportunities

How might we leverage our strong in-person service and meaningful customer relationships to expand the reach of our Professional Learning program at scale and in a more cost-effective way?
How might we meet the diverse needs of different users and districts across the country?
How might we support all of our major product lines including i-Ready with Personalized Instruction, i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, Magnetic Literacy, and Mosaico Literatúra?

What do educators need?

To better understand how to engage educators in meaningful professional learning experiences, we conducted extensive user research. Using Design Thinking and Design Sprint methodologies, we prototyped, tested, and iterated on innovative solutions to address educators’ unmet needs.

As an Educator, I want:

Opportunities to improve my practice, develop my skills, and grow my career.

Our program can offer:

Credentials and certifications to meet district requirements
A sense of motivation and evidence of progress
New skills and knowledge to better support students' diverse needs

As an Educator, I want:

A personal experience tailored to me, and my students.

Our program can offer:

Personalization
Relevant content at point of use
Autonomy and empowerment

As an Educator, I want:

Flexible options for learning that support my needs and fit my schedule.

Our program can offer:

Efficiency / Time savings
Flexible enrollment
Asynchronous learning oppportunities
Different formats and modalities for learning

As an Educator, I want:

Easy-to-understand implementation guidance at point of use.

Our program can offer:

Less overwhelm
Bite-sized content paced over time
Just-in-time support
"See it in action" application
Concrete next steps

As an Educator, I want:

Ease of navigation and help when I need it.

Our program can offer:

Easy and functional navigation
Clear and consistent UX/UI
Onboarding guidance
On-demand support

As an Educator, I want:

A sense of community and connection.

Our program can offer:

Connection to a community of peers
Ongoing support and partnership from Curriculum Associates experts

PROJECTS

Flexible Learning Opportunities

Our team introduced new ways to access professional learning content. With new modalities, we can deliver the same high-quality content and impactful outcomes in more flexible, cost-effective ways to meet the diverse needs of districts.

In-person professional development: Educators within a school or district can attend collaborative and comprehensive workshop-style learning experiences that deepen their understanding and practice.

Live online virtual sessions: Designed specifically for virtual delivery, these sessions offer short, focused learning opportunities with interactive small-group breakouts. Educators from across the country engage in peer-to-peer discussions, sharing diverse perspectives and best practices.

Digital online courses: The Online Educator Learning Platform offers a wide range of interactive digital courses, providing teachers with a flexible, asynchronous learning experience. Educators can follow personalized learning paths, track their progress, and share achievements and certifications–empowering them to learn and grow at their own pace.

In-person professional development

Live online virtual sessions

Digital courses on the Online Educator Learning Platform

Just-in-Time Support in Context

Educators need on-demand support for implementation and real-time answers to their questions. We provide contextualized, self-serve resources across multiple touchpoints, ensuring help is available exactly when and where they need it.

AI-powered chatbot (currently in development): An AI-powered chatbot provides educators with instant support, helping them find answers to their questions, gain insights into student data, receive personalized lesson planning recommendations, and get help with instruction. The chatbot is trained on proprietary product information and best practices, so it can deliver trusted, effective, and personalized guidance to support educators in real time.

Step-by-step tutorials: New users receive guided onboarding with clear, easy-to-follow explanations of key product features, helping them quickly ramp up and make the most of their experience.

Micro-learning guides: Educators can access short-form overviews of key program components and essential implementation practices, including how to administer the diagnostic, leverage data to inform instruction, and track student growth. These resources help set educators up for success and meet their district's requirements, while supporting the diverse needs of their students.