The Teach Different Certificate Program is a 6–8 week, highly flexible, time-friendly professional learning experience for educators who want more student voice, deep thinking and vibrant classroom conversations.
Complete this remote program from your desktop, tablet or phone, so your learning and reflection happen in small pockets of time you control.
Everything you learn goes straight into your classroom.
Accessible on your phone, so you can engage with the learning whenever it fits your day.
Study at your own pace and stay connected with peers.
You’re paired with a practicing classroom teacher you can message for quick guidance and reassurance as you apply the method in real time.
Start applying what you learn to your classroom right away.
Learn a research-based method proven to enhance student outcomes.
Study at your own pace and stay connected with peers.
Practice and refine your skills in real-time.
Start applying what you learn to your classroom right away.
Discover how a statewide pilot transformed classrooms and student lives through the power of meaningful conversation.
You’re just one conversation away from changing a student’s life. Through the Teach Different Certificate Program, you’ll master the art and science of meaningful conversations—and create a routine for miracles in your classroom.
No. Most components can be completed either during school hours or outside of school hours, depending on what your school/district allows and what works best for you.
The only live piece is a 1-hour orientation, which you can attend live (often after school) or watch as a recording if you need flexibility.
The program includes 15 hours of Illinois CPDU–approved professional development, spread across orientation, collaboration, reflection, and curriculum-related work. (The exact pacing is flexible across the cohort window.)
No. Classroom implementation does not count toward Illinois CPDUs. Illinois CPDU hours cover the professional learning activities around implementation (prep, reflection, collaboration, and related work).
You can complete most work asynchronously at times that fit your schedule. Live components are limited, and recorded options are available.
Often yes—this varies by school/district. The program work is designed to be legitimate professional learning (reflection, collaboration, curriculum design), which can be completed during approved PD time when permitted.
It’s an eight-week program that is about 95% self-paced and centers on implementing the conversation method in your classroom on your own schedule.
Only two required live components:
A 1-hour Zoom orientation (or you can watch a recording and schedule a debrief call at your convenience)
A 30-minute exit interview near the end of the program
You may also have occasional check-ins with your assigned teacher “shadow,” scheduled flexibly as needed.
That’s common. Because the program is mostly self-paced, you can participate without weekly after-school meetings. Live requirements are minimal and flexible.
No. There are no weekly required live meetings. Community activity and submissions are self-paced.
Most teachers average about 1–2 hours per week, depending on pace and how deeply you engage in reflection and community.
The program is designed to fit inside what you already do: you implement the method in class, and any additional work is light reflection, preparation, and optional community engagement—not a new curriculum.
You’ll have a teacher “shadow,” optional office hours, and community support. Support is available but not burdensome or mandatory.