Benefits

Individuals in the field of educator preparation benefit from their institutions’ AACTE membership in many ways. Tools and resources broaden their knowledge and help address current challenges, and opportunities to network with professionals with common interests and goals enrich their development. AACTE membership is institutional–when an institution joins, all employees and students in the college of education have access to AACTE benefits. Members receive exclusive access to and free or discounted fees for a range of programs, events, products, and services, just a few of which are highlighted here.


Resources

Individuals in the field of educator preparation benefit from their institutions’ AACTE membership in many ways. Tools and resources enhance their career development, provide answers to current challenges, and present opportunities to network and engage with other professionals from the field. AACTE membership is institutional–when an institution joins, all students, faculty, staff, and administrators across the institution have access to AACTE benefits. Members receive exclusive access and free or discounted fees for a range of programs, events, products, and services, of which a few are highlighted here.

AACTE provides policy analysis and collaborates with key partners and stakeholders to represent the profession’s voice on Capitol Hill, leading advocacy on funding, legislation, and regulations that impact the educator preparation profession. In addition, AACTE supports members and state chapters across the country in advocating at the state level.

  • Day on the Hill – Members receive a reduced registration rate to AACTE’s Day on the Hill, where experts provide training on how to advocate for the profession before heading to Capitol Hill.
  • AACTE Advocacy Guides – Use these guides to begin or advance your advocacy skills at the federal or state level.
  • Key Policymaker List – Download this list for your state to support your engagement & advocacy.
  • State Policy Tracker Map – View the latest policy changes affecting your program and receive guidance on how to make necessary programmatic changes through AACTE’s State Policy Tracker Map.

AACTE provides constant monitoring of state and national education-related news, ongoing updates on key professional issues, and respected journalism specific to the profession.

  • Journal of Teacher Education (JTE) – AACTE’s highly regarded, peer-reviewed journal on policy, practice, and research in teacher education is published 5 times a year. All members receive complimentary digital access to JTE.
  • Ed Prep Matters – AACTE’s blog provides timely news and insights on educator preparation. In addition to original content, the blog compiles key articles from a variety of sources through AACTE’s Twitter feed and shares AACTE members’ updates and achievements with the national education community and the public.
  • Video Wall – The AACTE Video Wall offers an improved way for navigating video content, categorized into three main channels: Advocacy, Quality, and Partnerships. It showcases the Association’s video series, event and interview recordings, and members’ own work.
  • State Directions – The monthly e-newsletter from AACTE and the Advisory Council of State Representatives Executive Committee covers state news, policy trends, chapter events, and opportunities for engagement.
  • Scholars Report – The monthly e-newsletter from the Holmes Council updates AACTE Holmes Program participants on news, events, technical issues, and professional activities.  Participation in the Holmes Program is exclusive to member institutions.
  • DEI Video Series

AACTE provides invaluable networking opportunities, one-of-a-kind professional development programs, and timely seminars and forums. AACTE members receive significant discounts to all events. Visit the Professional Development and Events page to see what’s coming up.

  • Annual Meeting – The AACTE Annual Meeting is the nation’s largest convening of teacher educators. The Annual Meeting has broad appeal and address timely professional and policy issues. Event opportunities include a wide variety of sessions with leading speakers, networking opportunities, distinguished award presentations, and education-related exhibits.
  • Leadership Academy – The annual Leadership Academy is an indispensable opportunity for new or aspiring deans, department chairs, and academic administrators to hone their leadership skills with colleagues experiencing in similar, professional positions. Attendees gain insights on how to effectively manage resources and programs, collaborate in interactive learning sessions, and engage with top leaders from the field in an intimate setting.
  • Webinars – AACTE provides opportunities through online events for meaningful and productive interaction with peers and experts on important issues and topics.
  • State Leadership Institute – This program brings together AACTE and ATE state chapter leaders from across the U.S. to address the challenges facing the profession in their states, augment the capacity of chapters to be the voice of educator preparation at the state level, and engage in professional development.

AACTE ensures quality teacher preparation, promotes solutions to common professional challenges, and provides leadership and guidance on key issues and practices through tools and resources such as these:

  • Research, Reports, and Briefs  – AACTE provides members with the latest, practitioner-focused research, such as trends in the Alternative Teacher Certification Sector Outside Higher Education, Colleges of Education: A National Portrait, Second Edition, and A Tale of Two Cities: State Evaluation Systems of Teacher Preparation Programs.
  • Resource Library – AACTE’s online Resource Library houses PowerPoint presentations, webinars, PDF files, videos, and many other resources for download.
  • Topical Action Groups (TAGs) – TAGs are AACTE’s action-oriented study groups and provide a forum for individuals from AACTE member institutions drawn together by a common interest or purpose within the field of educator preparation. AACTE provides TAGs with operational funds, publicity, online meeting and administrative space, staff support, on-site meeting space for an annual business meeting in conjunction with the AACTE Annual Meeting, and the prestige of AACTE affiliation.
  • Affinity Discount Program – Because you are a member of AACTE you have access to exclusive, members-only discounts at Office Depot and OfficeMax. With your AACTE membership, you can save up to 75% off regular prices. Learn more here.
  • Virtual Reality Classrooms – Need to provide your candidates with virtual tools to complete program requirements? Through your AACTE membership, you receive discounted rates for virtual platforms.
  • COVID-19 Resource Hub – Here you can connect with peers and access various webinars, tools, and the latest research about online and distance learning.
  • Racial and Social Justice Hub – Learn how AACTE, its members, and strategic partners are collaborating to advance racial and social justice initiatives around censorship, combating racism, and LGBTQ+ rights
  • Consortium for Research-Based and Equitable Assessments (CREA) – Discover how AACTE, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is evaluating cut scores and how they can be refined to attract, rather than exclude, potential candidates.
  • Toolkit for Local Advocates: Teaching Diverse and Inclusive Curricula Materials and Defending Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

AACTE members will find the following resources useful, including an easy-to-access job board, career development opportunities, and support for programmatic growth and diversification.

  • Holmes Program – This program provides mentorship, peer support, and professional development opportunities for graduate students. The AACTE Holmes Master’s Program supports master’s students; and the AACTE Holmes Scholars® Program supports doctoral students and post-doctoral students. Serving students of color, the program helps AACTE member institutions increase the diversity of their students and faculty by developing an outstanding pool of candidates.
  • Career Center – The Career Center is designed to serve educators at all levels. Post a position, upload your resume, and learn how to ace the interview and make your resume stand out. AACTE members receive a 25% discount on select job postings.
  • Black & Hispanic/Latino Male Teachers Initiative Networked Improvement Community (NIC) –NICs are learning communities that use improvement science to seek and test solutions within systems to address a shared problem of practice.  The goal of this initiative is to help institutions by identifying successful strategies to increase the number of Black and Hispanic/Latino men receiving initial teaching certification through educator preparation programs.
  • Reducing the Shortage of Special Education Teachers Networked Improvement Community – This NIC aims to address the problem of the shortage and lack of diversity of fully prepared and credentialed special education teachers in public schools across the nation.

AACTE has numerous volunteer opportunities for members.  Below are just a few ways to become more engaged, grow your network, and perfect your leadership skills:

  • Submit a Proposal for the Annual Meeting – AACTE member faculty are encouraged to submit session proposals each spring for the following year’s Annual Meeting.
  • Serve as a Peer Reviewer – Reviewers play a vital role by evaluating proposals for placement in the official Annual Meeting programming.
  • Volunteer for Board or Committee Service – Any individual from an AACTE member institution is eligible for  service on AACTE programmatic advisory committees, and Chief and Institutional Representatives may also apply for service on the Board.  A call for volunteers is issued every March for service in the following year.
  • Apply for an Award – AACTE’s annual awards program recognizes excellence in both member institutions and individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of educator preparation. Nominations open each spring for Writing and Research, Best Practice, and Professional Achievement Awards.

Contact our Membership Department at membership@aacte.org or 202-478-4516.

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