We believe that professional growth should be as dynamic and unique as you are. At the Iowa Education Innovation Hub, our customizable professional development (PD) offerings are designed to meet the specific needs of educators, administrators, and school districts. Whether you're looking to renew your teaching license, enhance your skills, or bring new learning opportunities to your community, we're here to support you.
Explore Our Current Offerings
Advance your career, earn licensure renewal credits, and expand your expertise through flexible online and in-person learning options.
Upcoming Courses
FIRST Tech Challenge Coach Professional Development
Designed to prepare Iowa educators to implement a robotics team, either as an in-school curriculum or as an after-school extra-curricular activity. The PD plan includes a structured three-day workshop which is designed to meet the needs of Iowa’s educators who will be serving in the role of “coach” for a participating FIRST Tech Challenge team. The training is designed to build foundational knowledge, technical skills, and implementation strategies aligned with the goals of FIRST and FTC.
LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
LivingWorks ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first-aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Participants don’t need any formal training to attend the workshop — ASIST can be learned and used by anyone.
Tier 1 Licensure Renewal Credit Program
Educators can complete all 6 Tier 1 Modules and receive a certificate for one Iowa licensure renewal credit.
Modules cover Social, Emotional, Behavioral Health (SEBH), Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Suicide Prevention and Postvention, Understanding Childhood Trauma and Mitigating Stress, Assisting Educators in Developing an Enduring Self-Care Regimen, and Establishing Bully-Free Classrooms and Schools.
Housed within the Baker Teacher Leader Center (BTLC), the Iowa Education Innovation Hub partners with educators, school districts, researchers, students, industry, and community organizations to co-design innovative solutions to real educational challenges. Through applied research, professional learning, innovation pilots, technical assistance, and strategic partnerships, the Hub connects ideas with implementation and research with practice.
Learn more about the Baker Teacher Leader Center and Iowa Education Innovation Hub:
EDUcation Unscripted & Xplored Podcast
A Community and Conversation for K-12 Educators Committed to Meaningful Change
Find the latest episode
Our goal is to explore the hopes, tensions, and trends shaping the field today and to offer listeners honest, evidence-based conversations that help them think differently about the work.
Join us as we help schools better serve students, families, and communities—and empower those same communities to support schools in return.
EDUcation Unscripted & Xplored is a research- and reality-backed podcast for anyone passionate about harnessing the power of education for positive change. Co-hosted by University of Iowa College of Education professors Kari Vogelgesang and Mark McDermott, who bring together teacher preparation, K–12 systems, and wellness to ask the hard questions about what actually drives meaningful change for people and systems.
Explore the Educator Wellness Podcast
Join us for inspiring conversations, expert insights, and practical tips to boost your well-being as an educator. Each season dives deep into topics that matter most to you—because when educators thrive, everyone benefits. Hosted by Kari Vogelgesang, Ph.D., and director of the Baker Teacher Leader Center.
Request Your Tailored PD
Our team is ready to work with you to create a professional development experience that aligns with your goals. Let us design a session that fits your needs, from innovative teaching strategies to the latest in educational leadership.
To get started, email the BTLC at tlc@uiowa.edu.
Share Your Expertise
Are you an expert in education looking to share your knowledge with a broader audience? Partner with us to host your own professional development session.
The University of Iowa Education Innovation Hub is committed to providing high-quality professional learning grounded in rigorous research and evidence-informed practice. We encourage professionals in the field of education to submit proposals to offer unique and high-quality professional development courses. Professional learning opportunities may not be used to advertise, market, or sell products, services, or organizations.
Before submitting your proposal, please review the guidelines, here:
To submit your workshop/webinar proposals, complete our:
Questions?
For general questions, please email us at tlc@uiowa.edu or connect with our team directly.
Kari Vogelgesang
Mariana Colombo
Lisa Bunn
How to Register for ILRUs
To register for a professional development event and to earn Iowa Licensure Renewal Units, teachers must create an account:
Create your account now/Log into your account
From your account you can register for programs, manage your registrations, print receipts, or program certificates to submit for verification of program completion.