Every month Facing History staff facilitate a variety of professional learning opportunities, both online and at in-person events throughout the country. We cover a diverse set of topics and disciplines in our PD sessions, from our training around our seminal case study Holocaust and Human Behavior to webinars discussing US history, social-emotional learning, equity, and much more. These learning sessions are led by our in-house subject matter experts and many also feature prominent scholars, activists, and teachers who join us in conversation to share unique insights and strategies around education in the twenty-first century.
We meet teachers where they’re at and invite them in on their own time. The majority of our professional learning opportunities are free and designed for asynchronous participation. Facing History also hosts live virtual learning events that are recorded when possible so that they can be accessed anytime, anywhere. We also provide Certificates of Completion for those whose state or district offer professional development credits.
As we prepare to head into 2025, we’re highlighting our top attended professional learning opportunities of 2024 as a year-end wrap up. Hundreds of Facing History educators and community members have joined us for these nine webinars.
- Seven of our highlighted sessions were new in 2024 and were immediate successes within our learning community.
- Two of our highlighted sessions were recorded several years ago, but their content continues to resonate. They remain some of our most viewed on-demand offerings year after year.
Take a look below at Facing History’s Best on-demand professional development opportunities of 2024. And be sure to peruse our On-Demand Library for our full slate of online learning opportunities. Check back often as we continually add new sessions!
Explore On-Demand Professional Development
Finding Connection in Our Communities
- Teaching Controversial Issues in Polarized Times
This past spring Dr. Diana Hess joined us to explore how educators can approach difficult subjects and respond to hot topic questions within the classroom in a way that is thoughtful, responsible, and safe. Such a celebrated guest discussing this timely subject makes for a compelling hour of learning.
- Building Bridges in the Fight Against Hate
In September we welcomed a student youth panel and educators who have dedicated time to conflict resolution in schools with a particular focus on antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other religious and identity-based hate. These brave students and practitioners shared their experiences and advice for reaching out to foster empathy and tolerance.
Learning for School Administrators
- Student Engagement & Positive Culture: A Discussion for School Leaders
Dr. Carol Johnson-Dean—former superintendent of four major school districts in Boston, Memphis, Minneapolis, and St. Louis—and Dr. Sheldon Berman—former President of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and longtime policy leader—offer ideas around building school culture.
Civic Education
- Educating for Youth Voting & Civic Participation with CIRCLE
Tuft University scholars from CIRCLE (the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) presented a data-rich program this summer delving into the numbers behind youth voting and youth civic engagement.
- Voting Rights and Political Access with Dr. Carol Anderson
Celebrated academic Dr. Carol Anderson—the current Robert W. Woodruff Professor of African American Studies at Emory University—once again brought her rich scholarship to a Facing History professional learning event. Here she examines the history of suffrage in the US and how political access has been both restricted and obtained over the years.
- Developing Students’ Civic Imagination in Challenging Times
Sangita Shresthova—Director of the Civic Imagination Project, University of Southern California—and Erica Hodgin—Director of Civic Education, Facing History & Ourselves—lead this inspiring and one-of-a-kind webinar. They illuminate research around the power of imagination when it comes to future generations building a better world.
From Facing History’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
- Principles and Practices of an Equity-Focused Educator
Dr. Steve Becton heads the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Facing History, leading a team that creates, assesses, and monitors our organizations programs and policies around DEIB. Bringing his decades of experience to the table along with philosophical study, Dr. Becton asks attendees to consider: “What does it mean to be an equity-focused educator?” “What is ‘equity’ and why is it being challenged?” and “How do you know if you are equity focused?”
Favorites from the Archives
- Centering Student Voices to Build Community and Agency
In the summer 2024, this 2021 event was one of the most viewed webinars on the Facing History website! And it's easy to see why—this professional learning session is a lively hour that features Molly Josephs, the creator of This Teenage Life, a youth-driven, story-sharing podcast that started as a school club.
- Working for Justice, Equity, and Civic Agency in Our Schools: A Conversation with Clint Smith
This professional learning from 2020 continues to bring in a tremendous number of new attendees, even over four years later. The profound reflections of educator and writer Clint Smith heavily contribute to this webinar remaining a staple within our on-demand library. Hearing Smith’s approach to justice, equity, and civic agency in our schools is highly recommended for any educator seeking a motivation boost alongside practical tools.
