Professional Development
NAA publishes fresh, new content every week covering a wide variety of topics related to the field of aftershool. In addition, NAA offers a variety of opportunities for virtual professional development (PD) through meaningful content, conversations and connections. Click here to see full descriptions of virtual PD offerings.
Technology and Fitness in Afterschool
Monday, 23 November 2015 00:00Get excited about moving!
Technology comes with a price tag many afterschool programs cannot afford—and if they can afford it, the idea of a child "running with" technology is perhaps nerve-wracking. Technology is the here and now, however, and when we can use it to boost physical fitness, sometimes we have to step outside of our comfort zones and try.
Gratitude: Not Just for Thanksgiving
Monday, 23 November 2015 00:00I'm busy. We're all busy. This year I recommended that we move Thanksgiving from Thursday to Friday. Why?
10 Tips for Talking to Kids About Terrorism Now
Tuesday, 17 November 2015 00:00... And 3 Things You Can Do All of the Other Days
What’s Wrong with Ideas?
Tuesday, 17 November 2015 00:00As designers of engineering curriculum for children and young teens, we are frequently asked if our materials are "hands-on." In fact, we get this question more than any other. This obsession with hands-on perplexes us. We think people ask for two reasons—first, because they believe hands-on results in better learning; second, because they believe hands-on is essential to student engagement and learning.
Empowering People and Teams
Tuesday, 17 November 2015 00:00In afterschool, great leaders often rise from within the ranks—in part because of inspirational leadership at all levels. What can you do to help your young staff members reach their leadership potential? Empower them!
"Empowerment can have a greater impact on your bottom line than any other strategy you implement," said leadership consultant Michelle Steffes, CPLC.
Mizzou Football: The Role of Adults in Supporting Youth Voice and Social Action
Wednesday, 11 November 2015 00:00I want to introduce you all to my friend and colleague, Daron Roberts. A former college football player, NFL coach and Harvard Law School graduate, Daron is the Founding Director of the Center for Sports Leadership and Innovation at the University of Texas. As you can imagine, Daron and his UT students have been closely following the recent developments at the University of Missouri that involve student—and especially student athlete—engagement around greater social justice on campus.
Win a Healthy Playground Makeover
Tuesday, 10 November 2015 00:00Could your school use a $30,000 grant and a brand new playground? Anyone can enter to win the Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes from the Together Counts™ program.
Using Technology to Create Moments that Click
Tuesday, 10 November 2015 00:00Our work is personal. Often the best opportunities—to build connections or to make learning real—happen in the moment.
But these moments only happen when we plan and are prepared. Well-designed professional development gives our staff the resources they need to plan for effective learning and be prepared to maximize opportunities to connect and engage youth in STEM.
Effective Practices to Cultivate Social-Emotional Learning in the Middle and High School Years
Tuesday, 10 November 2015 00:00Please join us for this webinar on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. EST.
The Power of Family Relationships
Tuesday, 03 November 2015 00:00Search Institute recently released "Don't Forget the Families," a major study that finds that the quality of parent-child relationships is 10 times more powerful than demographics (race, ethnicity, family composition, and family income) in predicting whether children are developing critical character strengths such as being motivated to learn, being responsible, and caring for others.
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