Pennsylvania State Education Association Micro-credential Library

EARN ACT 48 HOURS, POST-GRADUATE CREDIT, AND/OR CHAPTER 14 CERTIFICATES
Certificated PSEA members who attain an NEA micro-credential are eligible to receive one postgraduate credit from Edinboro University (for a $70 fee to EU) or 20 Act 48 hours from PSEA (there is no charge for Act 48 hours).  Postgraduate credits count toward Instructional II certification, are equal to 30 Act 48 hours, and may help toward salary advancement (check your local contract). 

Certificated PSEA members who complete an NEA micro-credential but do not attain it may revise and re-submit the micro-credential and, if successful, receive one postgraduate credit or 20 Act 48 hours. If a member chooses not to revise and resubmit, PSEA will report 15 Act 48 hours to PDE.

ESP members who do not have a teaching certificate will receive a Chapter 14 certificate for either 15 or 20 hours, depending upon whether the completed micro-credential was successfully attained. Be sure to ALWAYS seek pre-approval from your district to ensure they will apply these learning hours toward your Chapter 14 requirements.  

Click an image below to view the micro-credentials within the corresponding stack or view them all in the PDF Library.

Featured Stacks

 

NEA Full Stack Library

Click an image below to view the Micro-credentials within the corresponding stack or view them all in the PDF Library.

          Click to View StackDetailsKey Lessons and Audience

          Adult Social Emotional Learning

          These micro-credentials recognize the importance of adult learners developing and strengthening their social-emotional skills, which are critical for personal growth, professional success, and overall well-being.

          Last Updated Date: 03/14/2024
          Number of MCs: 5

          What You'll Learn

          • The five core social and emotional competencies and how they are essential in personal and professional settings
          • A deeper awareness of your SEL strengths and areas for personal and professional growth
          • Strategies and resources for developing your own social and emotional competencies


          Who Should Apply

          • All Educators

          Arts Integration

          Develop skills to support art integration and apply these strategies into your own classroom context.

          Last Updated Date: 03/16/2022
          Number of MCs: 8
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn what art integration looks like and how to engage students in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject area.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Art Teachers
          • Music Teachers
          • Specialists
          • Early Career Educators
          • Mid Career Educators
          • Veteran Educators

          Assessment Literacy

          Develop formative assessment, utilize learning targets and provide constructive feedback to your students.

          Last Updated Date: 03/16/2022
          Number of MCs: 6
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn to reclaim classroom assessment to propel meaningful teaching and learning.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Student Teachers
          • Teacher Leaders
          • PLC Leaders
          • School Administrators

          Building Winning Teams: Effective Paraeducator-Teacher Teams

          The micro-credentials in this stack are meant to be completed by paraeducator-teacher teams.

          Last Updated Date: 03/31/2023
          Number of MCs: 7
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn and apply the components for effective teamwork, including how to define and delineate roles and responsibilities, communication skills, problem solving and conflict resolution strategies.

          Who Should Apply
          • Teams of Paraeducators (Education Support Professionals) and Teachers


          Bully Free Schools

          Support a bully free environment for your students

          Last Updated Date: 03/17/2022
          Number of MCs: 7
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to create a safe and bully free environment for your students.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Education Support Professionals
          • Aspiring Educators

          Classroom Management

          Develop skills to create a successful learning environment for your students.

          Last Updated Date: 03/17/2022
          Number of MCs: 6
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to create a student centered learning community that is supportive of all students.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Education Support Professionals
          • Aspiring Educators

          Classroom Practice (InTasc): Instructional Practice

          Develop skills to support effective classroom instruction

          Last Updated Date: 03/17/2022
          Number of MCs: 6
          What You'll Learn
          Classroom strategies and skills that support your classroom practice in these four areas:
          • The Learner and Learning
          • Content Knowledge
          • Instructional Practice
          • Professional Responsibility
          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Early Career Educators
          • Mid Career Educators
          • Veteran Teachers
          • Aspiring Educators

          Classroom Practice (InTasc): Learner and Learning

          Develop skills to support effective classroom instruction

          Last Updated Date: 03/17/2022
          Number of MCs: 2
          What You'll Learn
          Classroom strategies and skills that support your classroom practice in these four areas:
          • The Learner and Learning
          • Content Knowledge
          • Instructional Practice
          • Professional Responsibility
          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Early Career Educators
          • Mid Career Educators
          • Veteran Teachers
          • Aspiring Educators

          Classroom Practice (InTasc): Professional Responsibility

          Develop skills to support effective classroom instruction

          Last Updated Date: 03/17/2022
          Number of MCs: 4
          What You'll Learn
          Classroom strategies and skills that support your classroom practice in these four areas:
          • The Learner and Learning
          • Content Knowledge
          • Instructional Practice
          • Professional Responsibility
          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Early Career Educators
          • Mid Career Educators
          • Veteran Teachers
          • Aspiring Educators

          Classroom Practice (InTasc): Understanding Content

          Develop skills to support effective classroom instruction

          Last Updated Date: 03/17/2022
          Number of MCs: 6
          What You'll Learn
          Classroom strategies and skills that support your classroom practice in these four areas:
          • The Learner and Learning
          • Content Knowledge
          • Instructional Practice
          • Professional Responsibility
          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Early Career Educators
          • Mid Career Educators
          • Veteran Teachers
          • Aspiring Educators

          Climate Change & Environmental Justice

          This stack of micro-credentials will help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to effectively understand and teach about climate change.

          Last Updated Date: 07/07/2023
          Number of MCs: 6
          What You'll Learn

          In this stack of micro-credentials you will gain awareness of the impacts of climate change, how climate change is an equity issue, what it means to adapt and mitigate climate change, how to engage the community in finding solutions for climate change and strategies to teach climate change to your students.

          Who Should Apply
          • All Educators

          Computer Science

          Computer science moves beyond using technology tools towards an understanding of how they work and ultimately designing new solutions to enduring human problems.

          Last Updated Date: 03/17/2022
          Number of MCs: 6
          What You'll Learn

          In this stack you will learn to teach and integrate computer science into your current lesson plans.

          Who Should Apply
          • All educators

          Cooperating Teacher

          Develop skills to support and mentor a student teacher

          Last Updated Date: 03/17/2022
          Number of MCs: 7
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to successfully support a student teacher and develop effective classroom practices.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Mentors
          • Cooperating Teachers
          • Mid Career Teachers
          • Veteran Teachers

          Co-Teaching

          These micro-credentials will provide the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in co-teaching and help educators create a more inclusive learning environment for all students.

          Last Updated Date: 04/13/2023
          Number of MCs: 4
          What You'll Learn
          In this stack of micro-credentials you will learn the foundations of co-teaching as well as how to co-plan, co-instruct and co-assess.
          Who Should Apply
          • All Educators

          Diversity, Equity, and Cultural Competence (DECC)

          Diversity, equity, and cultural competence (DECC) is integral to being a skilled and informed educator. In today's global and interconnected society, educators must constantly grow in their ability to teach culturally diverse students and groups.

          Last Updated Date: 11/16/2021
          Number of MCs: 6

          What You'll Learn

          • About culture and its predominant impact on individuals and groups of people .
          • How the dominant culture can enjoy privilege and oppress individuals and groups of people
          • To expose and address inequity in the educational system
          • To collaborate purposefully with individuals and groups from other cultures
          • To create and support policies and practices that give rise to culturally sensitive and equitable learning environments

          Who Should Apply

          • All educators

          Education Support Professionals: Professional Growth Continuum

          Develop your self as an ESP Professional

          Last Updated Date: 06/21/2023
          Number of MCs: 16

          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to connect the ESP Universal Standards to your role and responsibilities at your worksite, interview co-workers to further develop your understanding of the skills for the competency, and how competency in these skills has an impact on your effectiveness, school and student success.  

          Who Should Apply

          • Education Support Professionals (ESPs)

          Elevating the Profession Through Educator Ethics

          Participants examine various ethical situations including: technology dos and don'ts; relationships with students, parents, and colleagues, and; the dichotomy of a school employee's life.

          Last Updated Date: 03/17/2022
          Number of MCs: 8
          What You'll Learn

          In this stack your will learn how to make ethical professional decisions and understand the complex intersectionalities of relationships.

          Who Should Apply
          • All Educators

          Exceptional Learner

          Develop the skills you need to support exceptional learners in your classroom.

          Last Updated Date: 02/13/2022
          Number of MCs: 6
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to navigate federal policy, create functional behavior plans, collaborate with stakeholders and use universal design principals to create accessible lessons for all students.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Art Teachers
          • Music Teachers
          • Specialists
          • Early Career Educators
          • Mid Career Educators
          • Veteran Educators
          • Educational Support Professionals

          Family Engagement

          Participants examine various ethical situations including: technology dos and don'ts; relationships with students, parents, and colleagues, and; the dichotomy of a school employee's life.

          Last Updated Date: 03/17/2022
          Number of MCs: 8
          What You'll Learn

          In this stack you will learn how to build relationships and engage families and community members in school related activities.

          Who Should Apply
          • All Educators

          Five Core Propositions (NBCT)

          Dig into the foundations of National Board Core Propositions
          Number of MCs: 5
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn the basics of each of the 5 Core Propositions developed by National Board.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Early Career Educators
          • Mid Career Educators
          • Veteran Teachers
          • Aspiring Educators

          Math Practices

          This stack will explore each of the eight Standards of Mathematical Practice and how teachers apply these practices to the mathematical content they are teaching.

          Last Updated Date: 12/13/2023
          Number of MCs: 8
          What You'll Learn

          In this stack you will learn how to select and use instructional materials that support the mathematical practices, create tasks that require students to use mathematical practices, and assess student learning in a way that reflects the mathematical practices.

          Who Should Apply
          • K-12 educators of mathematics

          Multilingual Learners

          This stack equips educators to advocate for multilingual learners, incorporate culturally relevant pedagogy, strengthen family connections, utilize standards-based instruction, and implement equitable assessments.

          Last Updated Date: 07/01/2024
          Number of MCs: 7
          What You'll Learn

          By taking these micro-credentials, educators will learn to advocate for multilingual learners' rights, implement culturally relevant teaching practices, build strong family partnerships, understand and support second language acquisition, and use effective, equitable assessment strategies tailored for multilingual students.

          Who Should Apply
          • K-12 educators who work with multilingual learners

          Native Education

          This series of micro-credentials serves a two-fold purpose: 1) provide knowledge and tools to help educators be more culturally responsive in teaching for and about American Indian/Alaska Native people and 2) highlight the truths of the impact of federal policy and US education on Native communities to better represent AI/NA history, culture, and resilience in all classrooms.

          Last Updated Date: 02/08/2023
          Number of MCs: 8

          What You'll Learn

          In this micro-credential stack, topics covered include the impact of federal policy on American Indian/Alaska Native education, culturally responsive pedagogy and classroom management, and teaching culturally through content areas such as ELA, Social Studies, and STEM. While each course is free-standing, the courses are scaffolded to build an understanding of teaching for and about Native students as well as the historical contexts that still impact the modern Native education experience.

          Who Should Apply

          • This course is applicable to all educators who desire to be more culturally responsive. However, it is specially designed to support those who teach in communities with American Indian/Alaska Native students or teach Native culture or history in schools and other educational settings.

          Restorative Practices

          Develop the skills you need to implement restorative practices in your classroom and/or school.

          Last Updated Date: 04/13/2023
          Number of MCs: 5
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to use restorative practice strategies such as restorative circles and conferencing, to build a loving and positive classroom and/or school community.

          Who Should Apply
          • All Educators

          Supporting LGBTQ+ Students

          Support your LGBTQ students by creating inclusive spaces and curriculum

          Last Updated Date: 03/26/2023
          Number of MCs: 5
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to support LGBTQ students by creating a safe space and a culture of inclusivity.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Education Support Professionals
          • Administrators
          • Association Leaders
          • Teacher Leaders
          • Higher Ed Instructors
          • Aspiring Educators

          Teacher Leadership: Association Pathway

          Develop teacher leadership skills based on the NEA Teacher Leader Competency Guide

          Last Updated Date: 03/19/2022
          Number of MCs: 5
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to advocate for diversity, equity and cultural competence as you develop leadership skills in instruction, policy and/or association.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Higher Ed Instructors
          • Mid Career Educators
          • Veteran Educators
          • Administrators

          Teacher Leadership: Diversity Equity and Cultural Competence Pathway

          Develop teacher leadership skills based on the NEA Teacher Leader Competency Guide

          Last Updated Date: 07/20/2021
          Number of MCs: 3
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to advocate for diversity, equity and cultural competence as you develop leadership skills in instruction, policy and/or association.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Higher Ed Instructors
          • Mid Career Educators
          • Veteran Educators
          • Administrators

          Teacher Leadership: Instructional Pathway

          Develop teacher leadership skills based on the NEA Teacher Leader Competency Guide

          Last Updated Date: 03/19/2022
          Number of MCs: 3
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to advocate for diversity, equity and cultural competence as you develop leadership skills in instruction, policy and/or association.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Higher Ed Instructors
          • Mid Career Educators
          • Veteran Educators
          • Administrators

          Teacher Leadership: Overarching Competencies

          Develop teacher leadership skills based on the NEA Teacher Leader Competency Guide

          Last Updated Date: 10/16/2021
          Number of MCs: 8
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to advocate for diversity, equity and cultural competence as you develop leadership skills in instruction, policy and/or association.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Higher Ed Instructors
          • Mid Career Educators
          • Veteran Educators
          • Administrators

          Teacher Leadership: Policy Pathway

          Develop teacher leadership skills based on the NEA Teacher Leader Competency Guide

          Last Updated Date: 03/19/2022
          Number of MCs: 4
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to advocate for diversity, equity and cultural competence as you develop leadership skills in instruction, policy and/or association.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Higher Ed Instructors
          • Mid Career Educators
          • Veteran Educators
          • Administrators

          Teaching with Primary Sources

          Primary sources lead students naturally into inquiry, helping them to confront the complexity of the past, engage with it in a personal way, and reflect on how it relates to the present and future.

          Last Updated Date: 05/30/2022
          Number of MCs: 8

          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to integrate inquiry learning with primary sources into instruction across grades and disciplines using a variety of frameworks and strategies.

          Who Should Apply

          • K12 Educators
          • Education Pre-service Educators
          • Instructional Coaches
          • Content Specialists
          • Education Support Professionals
          • Aspiring Educators

             

          Technology for Educational Leaders

          Develop skills to help coaches facilitate online learning experiences

          Last Updated Date: 03/17/2022
          Number of MCs: 9
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn technical skills needed to facilitate professional learning in a variety of settings as well as how to grow your own professional network and troubleshoot basic technology problems.

          Who Should Apply
          • Teacher Leaders
          • Technology Coaches
          • Mentors
          • Classroom Teachers
          • Higher Ed

          Technology Integration

          Develop the skills and understanding to successfully integrate technology into your classroom instruction

          Last Updated Date: 10/08/2022
          Number of MCs: 7
          What You'll Learn

          You will learn how to leverage digital tools and to support your students using critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills.

          Who Should Apply
          • K12 Educators
          • Art Teachers
          • Music Teachers
          • Specialists
          • Early Career Educators
          • Mid Career Educators
          • Veteran Educators
          • Higher Ed

          Trauma Informed Pedagogy

          The impact of traumatic experiences is so significant that it can hinder the brain’s normal development.

          Last Updated Date: 01/28/2022
          Number of MCs: 6

          In this stack, you will learn:

          • How to create a healing-centered learning environment that supports all students 
          • How trauma can cause the brain to be rewired
          • The social emotional impacts of trauma
          • About various forms of trauma and how to support your students who may be exhibiting symptoms of trauma
          • How to protect yourself from secondary trauma 
          • How to seek help when you need it

           

          Who Should Apply

          • All educators

          Using your Voice to Advocate for Student Success

          This stack of micro-credentials is aligned to iNTASC standard 10 and the Red4ed Goals. The purpose of the stack is to support educators to use their voice to advocate for student success.

          Last Updated Date: 03/17/2022
          Number of MCs: 9
          What You'll Learn

          In this stack you will learn how to:

          • Create and organizing plan
          • Activate your stakeholders
          • Utilize technology for communication and collaboration
          • Create a communication plan
          • Engage members in advocating for student success
          Who Should Apply
          • All Educators