In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, certifications and micro-credentials are more important than ever for K-12 educators. They serve as a testament to an educator's commitment to growth, demonstrating both mastery of key skills and a willingness to stay current with the latest trends in teaching. These certifications not only offer educators a way to advance their careers but also provide valuable professional development opportunities that can enhance their instructional practices and benefit student learning.
For school and district administrators, supporting teachers in pursuing certifications ensures that your faculty is well-equipped to handle the demands of modern classrooms, especially as technology continues to shape how we teach and learn. In this blog, we’ll explore our picks for the top seven certifications and micro-credentials for educators—each uniquely positioned to empower teachers, elevate their skills, and expand their career opportunities.
Best General Certification for Teachers
National Board Certification
National Board Certification is the most respected and recognized advanced teaching certification for K-12 educators in the United States. It's designed to develop, retain, and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. National Board Certification is a rigorous, peer-reviewed process that ensures teachers have proven skills to advance student achievement. It requires teachers to demonstrate standards-based evidence of the positive effect they have on student learning. The certification is available in 25 certificate areas spanning 16 disciplines from Pre-K through 12th grade. This teaching certification is highly valued in the education community and often leads to salary increases, leadership opportunities, and enhanced professional growth. It's recognized as a mark of teaching excellence and has been linked to improved student outcomes in numerous studies. The process itself is considered a powerful professional development experience, regardless of whether certification is achieved.
Certifying Body: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)
Target Audience: Experienced K-12 educators with at least three years of teaching experience
Cost: $475 per component (total of $1,900 for all four components), plus a $75 registration fee
Format: Portfolio-based assessment with four components
Time Commitment: 1-3 years to complete all four components
Professional Development Credit: Varies by state; often fulfills professional development requirements
Key Competencies/Topics:
- Content knowledge and pedagogy
- Differentiation in instruction
- Teaching practice and learning environment
- Effective and reflective practitioner skills
- Analysis of student learning
Best Certifications for Teachers Looking to Integrate Technology in the Classroom
In today’s digital age, technology is becoming an integral part of many classrooms, with educators adopting it to varying degrees. Whether through interactive lessons, online assignments, or classroom management tools, technology offers solutions that can simplify teaching and enhance the learning experience. For teachers looking to maximize the impact of digital tools, earning relevant certifications or microcredentials can be an excellent way to sharpen their skills. These certifications for teachers can help them learn to use technology to organize classroom workflows, improve student engagement, and prepare students with essential tech skills needed for the workforce.
Google Certified Educator I & II
The Google Certified Educator program is a globally recognized certification that validates educators' proficiency in using Google tools to enhance teaching and learning. With the widespread use of Google Classroom in today's educational landscape, this certification has become even more relevant. The program offers two certification levels, focusing on foundational and advanced skills. For educators already familiar with Google's suite of tools, the certification exam can be quite straightforward. For those new to these tools, the free course available can guide them in improving their teaching practices with technology and enhancing their digital skills. This certification is invaluable for educators aiming to gain recognition for their expertise and advance their effectiveness in using Google tools in education.
Certifying Body: Google for Education
Target Audience: K-12 educators, higher education faculty, and other education professionals
Cost: $10 for Level 1 exam, $25 for Level 2 exam
Format: Online exam
Time Commitment: 180 minutes for each exam (2.3hr and 2.2hr training courses available for free)
Key Competencies/Topics:
- Google Workspace tools (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, etc.)
- Google Classroom
- Digital citizenship and online safety
- Collaborative learning techniques
- Data analysis and visualization
- Advanced search techniques
ISTE Certification for Educators
The ISTE Certification for Educators is an internationally recognized credential that emphasizes pedagogy and showcases an educator's mastery of the ISTE Standards for Educators by focusing on technology-driven transformation in teaching and learning practices. This certification involves a rigorous process that combines intensive professional learning with a portfolio-based assessment, encouraging educators to rethink and redesign learning activities with an emphasis on pedagogy rather than specific tools. Designed to transform educational practices, the certification prepares educators to model effective technology use for their peers. It is valuable for educators aiming to demonstrate their expertise in technology-enhanced teaching and learning and offers a pathway for professional growth, connecting participants to a global community of innovative educators and positioning them as leaders in educational technology integration within their institutions.
Certifying Body: International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
Target Audience: K-12 educators, instructional designers, technology coaches, and other education professionals
Cost: Varies by provider
Format: Blended learning (online and in-person options available)
Time Commitment: 40 hours over 10 weeks (five synchronous learning sessions), plus 40 hours over 6 months for portfolio development
Professional Development Credit: Up to 4 graduate-level credits available
Key Competencies/Topics:
- ISTE Standards for Educators implementation
- Designing for diversity and personalized learning
- Digital citizenship and online safety
- Technology integration in curriculum
- Digital learning environments
- Innovative instructional design
TCEA Certified Educator Certifications
TCEA offers three certifications for teachers and school staff, depending on their goals. We will highlight two here that are most relevant to educators working in the classroom.
The Campus Technology Specialist Certification prepares educators to serve as technology specialists on any campus, providing them with the knowledge and skills to increase learning through educational technology. It emphasizes developing skills to help classroom teachers successfully integrate technology into everyday curriculum.
The Instructional Coach Certification is designed for educators who want to become or enhance their skills as instructional coaches. It focuses on developing expertise in supporting teachers with technology integration and improving instructional practices.
Certifying Body: Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA)
Cost: $349
Format: Self-paced online course
Time Commitment: 12 months to complete (25 hours coursework, 8 hours final project)
Professional Development Credit: 33 CPE hours
Key Competencies/Topics:
Campus Technology Specialist Certification
- Skills to help classroom teachers integrate technology into the curriculum
- Educational technology for increased learning
- Current topics and issues related to the role of Campus Technology Specialist
Instructional Coach Certification
- Instructional coaching strategies
- Technology integration in education
- Current topics and issues related to instructional coaching
Best Certification for New Computer Science Teachers
CS50: Introduction to Computer Science
Although not specifically a teacher certification, we've included this one since we understand that not all computer science teachers in K-12 schools have a rigorous background in coding and computing. If that describes you, CS50, Harvard University's renowned introduction to computer science and programming course, may help you get comfortable with the fundamentals and help you give your students the support they need. This course is known for its engaging lectures, challenging problem sets, and a final project that allows students to apply their skills creatively.
Certifying Body: Harvard University via edX
Target Audience: Anyone interested in learning computer science, from complete beginners to those with some programming experience
Cost: Free to audit, $199 USD for a verified certificate
Format: Online, self-paced
Time Commitment: 12 weeks, 6–18 hours per week
Professional Development Credit: Certificate of completion available
Key Competencies/Topics:
- Algorithmic thinking and problem-solving
- Programming fundamentals in C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript
- Web development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Data structures and algorithms
- Software engineering principles
- Cybersecurity basics
Best Certification for STEM Educators
STEM.org Certified™ Educational Instructor
The STEM.org certification course provides k12 teachers and other educators with practical, classroom-tested activities and resources to help them build sustainable STEM initiatives in various educational environments. It covers curriculum standards and the latest in STEM pedagogy, making it relevant for teachers looking to enhance their STEM teaching capabilities.
Certifying Body: STEM.org Educational Research
Target Audience: K-12 classroom educators, informal educators (mentors, camp/after school instructors)
Cost: $202.50 USD (MSRP Full Retail) or $159.00 USD (for orders of 1,000 or more)
Format: Online course, self-paced
Time Commitment: 25 hr course
Professional Development Credit: Up to 24 CEU's
Key Competencies/Topics:
- STEM curriculum development
- Classroom-tested STEM activities
- Gamification and making STEM fun and engaging
- Promoting diversity and maintaining accessibility in STEM Education
Best Certification for AI in Education
AI Essentials for Educators by Mastery Coding
AI Essentials for Educators is a professional development course designed to equip teachers and school district personnel with foundational AI literacy, enabling them to engage productively and responsibly with AI technologies in education.
The AI Essentials for Educators course focuses on providing educators with a solid understanding of AI and its implications in the educational setting. It emphasizes the importance of using AI tools ethically and responsibly, addressing concerns about potential misuse while highlighting the benefits of AI in enhancing teaching and learning experiences.
This course is particularly valuable for educators looking to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in education. It provides the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions about incorporating AI tools into teaching practices, while maintaining a focus on ethical considerations and student success.
Certifying Body: Mastery Coding, powered by Knowledge Pillars
Target Audience: K-12 educators, school administrators, and other education professionals
Cost: $49.95
Format: Self-paced online course + exam
Time Commitment: 2.5 hr
Key Competencies/Topics:
- Foundational AI literacy
- Ethical considerations in AI use
- Responsible engagement with AI technologies
- AI applications in education
- Balancing AI integration with educational goals
Conclusion
There are many certifications and micro-credentials for teachers that offer powerful avenues for professional growth, providing educators with the tools and knowledge to thrive in today’s educational environment. Whether you're looking to integrate technology more effectively in the classroom, deepen your understanding of STEM education, or explore the potential of AI, the certifications and courses shortlisted here can help you take your skills to the next level.
Investing in these certifications not only enhances your career prospects but also contributes to the broader goal of student success. By equipping yourself and your teaching staff with the right credentials, you can ensure your school is prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of 21st-century education. Take the next step in your professional development and schedule a demo with Mastery Coding to explore how our AI for Educators course and certification can help your school!
