NEA Teacher Quality (TQ) is pleased to announce that registration has opened for our National NEA Micro-Credentials Virtual PLCs being offered for Cycle 4: December 7, 2020 to
February 7, 2021
.  Facilitators will reach out to participants with exact dates and times during the week of November 30, 2020. Please note:  Participation in our National PLCs continues to be for “members-only.” A customizable flyer will be sent to you as soon as possible, but you should not hesitate to start promoting and recruiting among your members before the flyer is ready. The Micro-Credential descriptions and each respective PLC’s meeting day are listed below.

Did you know that since March 1, 2020, through July 21, 2020 the association has experienced the following increases on our Micro-Credentials platform, nea.certificationbank.com?

  • 40% increase of New Records;
  • 74.5% increase in Enrollments
  • 36% increase in Earned Micro-Credentials

Description:

Educators who participate in a PLC to complete a micro-credential are more likely to earn their badge the first time! NEA is inviting all association members this opportunity to participate in a virtual Professional Learning Community (PLC) to support successful completion of a NEA Micro-Credential.

A micro-credential is a short, competency-based recognition that allows an educator to demonstrate mastery in a particular area/skill. Upon successful submission of evidence, an educator is awarded an encoded, digital badge that can be shared with an employer, on social media, on a resume, etc. Micro-credential PLCs are NOT a traditional course.  Micro-credentials are self-directed project based professional development.  During the micro-credential PLC, members will work to collect evidence of proficiency in specific area by working on a project that is designed to directly help in their professional practice.  Resources are provided to help one learn more about the topic. During the PLC, a facilitator will guide the member and a group of fellow educators through the project and the process for submitting by providing multiple opportunities for peer feedback and discussion.

These virtual PLCs will be facilitated by an NEA trained Micro-Credential Facilitator and consist of weekly support meetings via zoom.   PLCs will meet on the day indicated below, during the evening for 30 to 60 minutes. Facilitators will reach out to participants with exact dates and times. NOTE:  For Cycle 4, members may register for only one (1) PLC. A micro-credential generally may take up to 15 hours to complete.  Please encourage members to review a micro-credential’s rubric in its entirety—see links below—BEFORE they register.

Members may register for any of the following PLCs:

  • Trauma Informed Pedagogy (Classroom Management Stack):

o    In this NEA Micro-credential PLC, an educator demonstrates an understanding of how trauma can affect student behaviors and responses within the school context and promotes students’ abilities to self-monitor and maintain positive engagement in all aspects of learning and interactions.

o    PLC will meet once a week on Monday evenings (from December 7 to February 7).

o    Before Registering, please review the micro-credential rubric (.pdf) here:
https://nea.certificationbank.com/images/NEAdocuments/cm/Trauma%20Informed%20Instruction.pdf (4 pages)

  • Building A Positive Classroom Community with Affective Language (Restorative Practices Stack):

o    In this NEA Micro-credential PLC, an educator models and supports students to use affective language to build a positive classroom community that is founded on mutual respect and caring.

o    PLC will meet once a week on Tuesday evenings (from December 7 to February 7).

o    Before Registering, please review the micro-credential rubric (.pdf) here:
https://nea.certificationbank.com/images/NEAdocuments/RP/2.%20Building%20a%20Positive%20Classroom%20Community%20with%20Affective%20Language.pdf  (8 pages)

  • Creating a Classroom Community (Classroom Management Stack):

o    In this NEA Micro-credential PLC, an educator understands the importance of building key relationships for a positive classroom community.

o    PLC will meet once a week on Wednesday evenings (from December 7 to February 7).

o    Before Registering, please review the micro-credential rubric (.pdf) here:
https://nea.certificationbank.com/images/NEAdocuments/CM/NEA_CM4.pdf  (5 pages)

  • Technology Integration: Citizen (Technology Integration):

o    In this NEA Micro-credential PLC, the educator uses technology to facilitate learning.

o    PLC will meet once a week on Thursday evenings (from December 7 to February 7).

o    Before Registering, please review the micro-credential rubric (.pdf) here:
https://nea.certificationbank.com/images/NEAdocuments/TI/Technology%20Integration-%20Citizen.pdf  (8 pages)

LINK TO REGISTRATION:

Resources on NEA Micro-credentials:

Feel free to contact Sonia Jasso Yilmaz if you have any questions:  syilmaz@nea.org