What School Leaders Need to Know About Professional Development in 2025–26
The start of the 2025–26 school year has been anything but typical. Districts across the country have faced months of budgetary uncertainty as billions in federal education funds were frozen, delayed, and then finally released in late July.
The result? Many leaders were forced to postpone professional development, cancel planned trainings, or wait on hiring and programming decisions until funds began to move again.
The good news: those dollars are now flowing — albeit slowly — giving districts the chance to re-evaluate their plans and take action this fall. This guide is designed to help you understand:
- Which funding sources are available for PD right now
- How to align your needs with the allowable uses of these dollars
- Practical options for making up lost time and keeping your staff development on track
Key Funding Insights
- Billions released in July 2025. After months of uncertainty, more than $5 billion in Title I, II, III, and IV funds were authorized for release.
- Slow disbursement. Although states have begun receiving allocations, many districts are still waiting for those dollars to be added into budgets.
- PD is eligible. Title II-A in particular (supporting educator training and leadership) remains a primary channel for professional learning investment.
- Flexibility matters. With the school year already underway, leaders need options that can be implemented quickly and scaled for teams.
Funding Matrix: Where PD Fits
| Program | Purpose | Status (as of Sept 2025) | Examples of Use |
| Title II-A | Teacher & leader professional learning | Released in July | Virtual PD cohorts, workshops, coaching |
| Title III-A | English learner support | Released | Training for teachers of multilingual learners |
| Title IV-A | Enrichment & student support | Released | Staff training on engagement, well-being |
| Title I-C | Migrant student education | Released | PD for supporting transient student groups |
| Adult Education Grants | Adult literacy & family engagement | Released | Training tied to family/community supports |
Practical PD Options in the Current Climate
With the school year already in motion and budgets only now stabilizing, many districts are looking for solutions that:
- Stand up quickly without months of planning or logistics.
- Deliver measurable value aligned to student and staff needs.
- Offer flexibility for individuals or whole teams.
One option many leaders are turning to: live-virtual professional learning cohorts. These programs — delivered online, facilitated by expert educators, and scheduled across several weeks — can fill gaps left by canceled or delayed PD plans.
RocketPD’s fall cohorts cover topics like instructional design, student engagement, teacher productivity, teacher evaluation, artificial intelligence and school culture.
They:
- Run entirely online, making them accessible immediately.
- Provide certificates of completion for compliance and reporting.
- Offer team discounts to stretch limited PD budgets further.
Fall 2025 Live-Virtual Cohorts
The following professional learning cohorts are available this fall. Each program is expert-led, conducted live over Zoom, and includes certificates of completion. Cohorts typically run five sessions, 90–120 minutes each, and are designed for both individuals and teams.
Building Thinking Classrooms — Dr. Peter Liljedahl
Discover practical strategies for implementing the Thinking Classrooms framework across disciplines. This 5-session, 120-minute series helps educators make learning more collaborative, visible, and student-driven.
Liljedahl personally models his full BTC process, from conception to launch.
Redesigning Instruction: A Three-Step Process to Meet Every Learner’s Needs — Robert Barnett (Modern Classrooms Project)
Learn how to implement blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning in your classrooms. This 5-session cohort provides a step-by-step framework to help all learners thrive.
Unlocking Teacher Productivity — Angela Watson
Help your team reclaim time, reduce burnout, and focus on what matters most. This 5-session series equips teachers with systems and strategies to manage workload and boost energy.
Tech Like a PIRATE: Creating a Buzzworthy Classroom — Matt Miller
Bring joy and engagement into your classroom with creative use of media, games, and digital tools. In this 5-session cohort, learn how to capture students’ attention and hold it.
A.I. for Leaders: How to Use AI to Become a More Efficient and Effective K-12 Administrator — A.J. Juliani
Learn how emerging artificial intelligence tools can help school leaders make smarter decisions, streamline operations, and manage change with confidence. This multi-session cohort empowers superintendents, principals, and administrators to apply AI ethically and effectively in day-to-day leadership.
Note: Discounts are available for teams of 5+ participants. All cohorts include custom Certificates of Completion to support compliance and reporting.
Designing for Diverse Classrooms: UDL, MTSS, and Blended Learning in Practice — Dr. Catlin Tucker
Learn how to design instruction that supports all learners through a mix of MTSS, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and blended learning strategies. This multi-session cohort is built for teachers seeking to create engaging, equitable classrooms.
PBL by Design: Empowering Student Engagement & Real-World Learning — John Spencer
Explore project-based learning strategies that engage students in authentic, real-world problem solving. This cohort equips teachers with a design process to bring PBL into any classroom.
Rethinking Teacher Supervision, Coaching, and Evaluation — Kim Marshall
Improve instructional leadership by learning new approaches to supervision and feedback. This 8-month cohort offers leaders ongoing support for better coaching and evaluation practices.
A Call to Courage: Standing Up to Intolerance in K-12 Schools — Drs. Luvelle Brown & Shelley Berman
Equip your team to address divisiveness and foster a culture of belonging. This cohort provides leaders with tools to support inclusive learning environments while maintaining focus on student success.
Engaging Every Family: Building Partnerships That Drive Student Success — Drs. Steve & Peggie Constantino
Learn practical strategies for making family engagement a driver of improved attendance, academic achievement, and student well-being. This cohort helps leaders and teachers build stronger school–family partnerships.
Fine Tune Your Lessons With the Fundamentals — Jennifer Gonzalez (Cult of Pedagogy)
Sharpen your lesson design with research-based fundamentals that boost clarity, engagement, and rigor. This cohort provides teachers with practical tools to elevate daily instruction.
Note: Discounts are available for teams of 5+ participants. All cohorts include custom Certificates of Completion to support compliance and reporting.
Recommended Cohorts by Theme
Leadership & Change
Rethinking Teacher Supervision, Coaching, and Evaluation — Kim Marshall
Reimagine instructional leadership and teacher feedback with practical, ongoing strategies.
Register
A Call to Courage: Standing Up to Intolerance in K-12 Schools — Drs. Luvelle Brown & Shelley Berman
Create a culture of belonging while addressing divisiveness with courage and clarity.
Register
Engaging Every Family: Building Partnerships That Drive Student Success — Drs. Steve & Peggie Constantino
Harness family engagement as a lever for attendance, achievement, and student well-being.
Register
How to Use AI to Become a More Efficient and Effective K-12 Administrator — A.J. Juliani
Use A.I. to drive efficiencies, improve decision-making and empower teachers and staff.
Register
Instructional Practice
Instructional Design for Diverse Student Groups — Dr. Catlin Tucker
Apply MTSS, UDL and blended learning strategies to design student-centered instruction.
Register
Fine Tune Your Lessons With the Fundamentals — Jennifer Gonzalez
Strengthen lesson design with practical strategies for clarity, engagement, and rigor.
Register
Redesigning Instruction: A Three-Step Process — Robert Barnett
Implement blended, self-paced, mastery-based instruction to meet all learners’ needs.
Register
Building Thinking Classrooms — Dr. Peter Liljedahl
Use the Building Thinking Classrooms framework to make math learning more engaging and collaborative.
Register
Student Engagement & Culture
PBL by Design: Empowering Student Engagement & Real-World Learning — John Spencer
Bring project-based learning into classrooms to boost real-world engagement.
Register
Tech Like a PIRATE: Creating a Buzzworthy Classroom — Matt Miller
Capture students’ attention using media, games, and digital tools.
Register
Well-Being & Behavior
Unlocking Teacher Productivity — Angela Watson
Help teachers reclaim time, reduce stress, and focus on high-value work.
Register
Tip for District Leaders: These categories can help match your federal funding priorities (Title II for training, Title IV for well-being/enrichment, Title I-C/III for student populations, etc.) to the most relevant PD options.
Moving Forward
The federal funding freeze created real challenges — but it also highlighted the importance of flexibility and strategic planning. Now that dollars are moving, districts have a short window to catch up on professional development and ensure teachers and leaders are prepared for the year ahead.
Whether through RocketPD or other PD options, the priority is clear: invest those funds in ways that strengthen your team, support your students, and move your district forward.
This Funding Alignment Chart ties each theme (and its cohorts) to the most relevant federal funding sources. This should make it easier to connect dollars to the right PD options:
Funding Alignment Chart
| Theme | Relevant Federal Funding Streams | Cohorts That Fit |
| Leadership & Change | Title II-A (teacher/leader PD) Title IV-A (student support & enrichment) | • Rethinking Teacher Supervision (Kim Marshall) • A Call to Courage (Brown & Berman) • Engaging Every Family (Steve & Peggie Constantino) • A.I. for School Leaders (A.J. Juliani) |
| Instructional Practice | Title II-A (instructional improvement) Title I (supports disadvantaged learners) Title III-A (supports English learners) | • Instructional Design for Diverse Student Groups (Catlin Tucker) • Fine Tune Your Lessons (Jennifer Gonzalez) • Redesigning Instruction (Robert Barnett) • Building Thinking Classrooms (Peter Liljedahl) |
| Student Engagement & Culture | Title IV-A (enrichment & engagement) Title I-C (supports migrant learners) | • PBL by Design (John Spencer) • Tech Like a PIRATE (Matt Miller) |
| Well-Being & Behavior | Title IV-A (well-being & safe schools) Title II-A (teacher support & PD) | • Unlocking Teacher Productivity (Angela Watson) |
How to Use This Chart:
- Match your funding line to your PD priority. For example, if your district is focusing Title II-A dollars on teacher retention and supervision, options like Sheninger, Marshall, or Constantino fit well.
- Leverage flexibility. Many programs can be justified under multiple streams — e.g., Title IV-A for student engagement and Title II-A for instructional practice.
- Act quickly. With federal funds finally moving, now is the window to invest before dollars are re-apportioned later in the school year.
Fall 2025 Live-Virtual Cohorts
| Cohort Title | Expert | Focus Area | Schedule | Link |
| Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics | Dr. Peter Liljedahl | Implementing Thinking Classrooms to boost engagement and collaboration | 5 sessions, 120 min each | Register Here |
| Redesigning Instruction: A Three-Step Process to Meet Every Learner’s Needs | Robert Barnett (Modern Classrooms Project) | Blended, self-paced, mastery-based learning | 5 sessions, 90 min each | Register Here |
| Unlocking Teacher Productivity | Angela Watson | Time management, reducing burnout, building efficient systems | 5 sessions, 90 min each | Register Here |
| Tech Like a PIRATE: Creating a Buzzworthy Classroom | Matt Miller | Engaging students through media, games, and digital tools | 5 sessions, 90 min each | Register Here |
| Instructional Design for Diverse Student Groups: UDL & Blended Learning Practice | Dr. Catlin Tucker | Student-centered instructional design using UDL & blended learning | Multi-session cohort | Register Here |
| PBL by Design: Empowering Student Engagement & Real-World Learning | John Spencer | Designing & implementing project-based learning | Starts Oct 2025 | Register Here |
| Rethinking Teacher Supervision, Coaching, and Evaluation | Kim Marshall | Instructional leadership, feedback, and evaluation practices | 8 monthly sessions starting Sept 2025 | Register Here |
| A Call to Courage: Standing Up to Intolerance in K-12 Schools | Drs. Luvelle Brown & Shelley Berman | Building inclusive school cultures & addressing divisiveness | Starts Oct 2025 | Register Here |
| Engaging Every Family: Building Partnerships That Drive Student Success | Drs. Steve & Peggie Constantino | Family engagement as a lever for student outcomes & district improvement | Multi-session cohort | Register Here |
| Use AI to Improve Decision-making and Drive Efficiencies | A.J. Juliani | AI as a tool for K-12 leadership and staff empowerment | Multi-session cohort | Register Here |
| Fine Tune Your Lessons With the Fundamentals | Jennifer Gonzalez (Cult of Pedagogy) | Practical lesson design strategies that increase clarity, engagement, and rigor | Multi-session cohort | Register Here |
Note: Discounts are available for teams of 5+ participants. All cohorts include custom Certificates of Completion to support compliance and reporting.
