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.
Behavior Change, but Not for Kids: The Missing Link to Effective Training
Monday, 30 August 2021 14:40Would you put a driver behind the wheel of a car alone after a single driving lesson? Probably not!
And while kids' healthy development is the most pressing concern in our field, we often do just this—provide a single training to youth workers and expect them to be ready, from becoming a STEM whiz to being trauma-informed. It may be due to a lack of money or time, and certainly not for a lack of concern. There's simply not enough support for youth work professionals trying to help kids thrive.
Youth Development Professionals: Showing Up While Everything Is Shutting Down
Monday, 30 August 2021 00:00The COVID-19 pandemic caused tremendous destruction and loss, most notably among marginalized communities. Moreover, it exposed profound inadequacies at many institutions that support those communities, especially in public education and healthcare.
Stories That Shape Us: Kimberly Lewis
Monday, 16 August 2021 14:16NAA's "Stories That Shape Us" series shines a spotlight on the authentic stories and varying career paths of the afterschool profession. Told from the perspectives of NAA members themselves, each story is unique and highlights the differences but also the commonalities of the dedicated professionals serving youth around the country in out-of-school time today.
Compensation: The Problem and Solution for Afterschool’s Staffing Challenges
Monday, 16 August 2021 00:00It's no secret the work of those in the youth development field is complex. Add in the turmoil of our society, various crises, and the chronic and systemic underfunding of our nation's early childhood education—including school-age childcare—systems, and it becomes even more undoubtedly so. Now, it's clear; we must do something to ensure the afterschool workforce continues to exist and thrive.
Stories That Shape Us: Vanessa Sinclair
Monday, 09 August 2021 16:03NAA's "Stories That Shape Us" series shines a spotlight on the authentic stories and varying career paths of the afterschool profession. Told from the perspectives of NAA members themselves, each story is unique and highlights the differences but also the commonalities of the dedicated professionals serving youth around the country in out-of-school time today.
5 Things That Matter in Planning for Effective DEIB Training
Monday, 09 August 2021 15:55For anyone who says diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) trainings are ineffective and counterproductive, as someone who has facilitated across dozens of organizations big and small, corporate, nonprofit and educational, here is a non-definitive list of things to consider:
Stories That Shape Us: Thomas Ruffing
Tuesday, 03 August 2021 12:30NAA's "Stories That Shape Us" series shines a spotlight on the authentic stories and varying career paths of the afterschool profession. Told from the perspectives of NAA members themselves, each story is unique and highlights the differences but also the commonalities of the dedicated professionals serving youth around the country in out-of-school time today.
Discovery Education Offers New Resources for Afterschool Professionals
Tuesday, 03 August 2021 00:00Because Discovery Education recognizes that learning takes place in all environments, they've recently made available some robust afterschool resources.
Stories That Shape Us: Joy Deal
Monday, 26 July 2021 12:33NAA's "Stories That Shape Us" series shines a spotlight on the authentic stories and varying career paths of the afterschool profession. Told from the perspectives of NAA members themselves, each story is unique and highlights the differences but also the commonalities of the dedicated professionals serving youth around the country in out-of-school time today.
Stories That Shape Us: Brandis Stockman
Monday, 19 July 2021 15:20NAA's "Stories That Shape Us" series shines a spotlight on the authentic stories and varying career paths of the afterschool profession. Told from the perspectives of NAA members themselves, each story is unique and highlights the differences but also the commonalities of the dedicated professionals serving youth around the country in out-of-school time today.
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