ROI on Professional Development for Teachers
Professional development for teachers can pay off, big time!
In most other professions, if you take continuing education courses or professional development courses, that might look good on your resume, but it won’t help your paycheck.
School districts across America, however, often reward teachers for lifelong learning, which means that there can be a tangible return on investment (ROI) for professional development.
Pay Increases For Teachers With Graduate Certificates And Degrees
Many school districts offer higher pay for teachers who have earned graduate certificates, master’s degrees, or doctoral degrees. If you’ve completed one of these, great, you’re already in a higher pay bracket. But if you only have a bachelor degree – and can’t afford to quit teaching and go back to school full-time – professional development courses can be the answer to earning an advanced certificate or degree.
At Education 4 Equity, we offer 1-credit, 2-credit, and 3-credit professional development online courses that are eligible for graduate-level credit through Brandman University.
Pay Increases for Professional Development Credits
Many school districts also offer higher pay for teachers who have earned a set number of professional development credits. For example, in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), teachers’ pay goes up every time 14 professional development “salary points” are earned, up to a maximum of 98 points.
Earning salary points or credits can make a huge difference in the amount of money you earn over your career, and in retirement. For example, in the LAUSD, a teacher who quickly earns 98 salary points can make an estimated $200,000 more than a teacher who slowly earns them, and an estimated $400,000 more than a teacher who doesn’t earn any points. That same teacher who quickly earns salary points will have a retirement base that’s an estimated 38% higher than the teacher who slowly earned points and 50% higher than the teacher who earned no points.
At Education 4 Equity, all of our online professional development courses have been approved by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) for salary points. Other school districts also may award credit for E4E Courses (you’ll need to check with your district).
Personal Return on Investment for Personal Development
In addition to the financial rewards, professional development for teachers can also provide a number of personal rewards. In professional development classes, courses, and workshops, you can increase your knowledge of your own subject or learn another one. You can pick up classroom management skills that will make your job easier. You can meet, network with, and be inspired by other teachers. And you can become a better teacher and have a greater impact on more students!
If you’re having trouble getting started with or consistently committing to professional development, make your own ROI list!