UNION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
IFT's professional development opportunities are designed to meet the needs of both new and experienced local leaders and activists in all IFT constituency groups. Our programs provide participants with hands-on learning and a chance to network with other IFT members from throughout the state. We have adapted our training to meet the changing needs of union leadership as we grapple with racial injustice and other inequities.
save the dates | 2026 ULI
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2026 great lakes uli
Lake delavan, Wisconsin | June 21 - June 25, 2026
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We are excited to announce a new and improved format for this year’s Great Lakes ULI! The program has been reimagined to meet the urgency of this moment—creating space for sharper vision, deeper strategy and stronger leadership.
Course descriptions and registration information coming soon!
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2026 uli north
robert healy center, westmont
SEPTEMBER 12-13 OCTOBER 10-11 NOVEMBER 7-8
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IFT Evaluator training courses
The IFT has opened registration to members who want to take courses which are part of the state’s teacher evaluator qualification program. 
Members who’ve taken evaluator training courses with IFT in the past describe benefits including:  
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Using the information to improve local evaluation plans through their PERA joint committees;  
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Applying their learning to their own evaluation experience; and  
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Serving as a representative on their locally bargained appeals committee.
Illinois Performance Evaluation – Initial Teacher Evaluation Training  | AA2001/INITIAL
Participants who successfully complete this initial course earn a designation in ELIS as qualified evaluators of teachers. Participants must complete and submit pre-work, complete all training sessions, and successfully complete an assessment to qualify as an evaluator. This course qualifies for Professional Development credit or Administrator Academy credit.  
May 20, 2026 | 4p-6p
June 9, 2026 | 8a-4:30p
June 10, 2026 | 8a-4:30p
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REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MAY 15, 2026
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Evaluator Retraining Courses
If you currently hold the qualified teacher evaluator credential, you must complete retraining courses in every subsequent license renewal cycle. The IFT has created an online calculator to help you determine in which license cycle you should first take state retraining courses.  Illinois requires you to successfully complete two evaluator retraining courses (professional practice and student growth) in the licensure cycle relevant to you.  
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IFT registration is open for the two state-approved courses that qualify you to maintain the evaluator qualification credential through retraining.  Both courses are one-day in length and do not require passage of an assessment.
Using Student Growth Data in Professional EvaluationsFor retraining of teacher AND principal evaluators in the area of Student Growth | AA3000/RETRAINING
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This one-day academy, intended for administrators who need to re-qualify to evaluate all licensed staff, focuses on the use of assessments and measurement models in determining student growth attributable to individual educators. Upon successful completion, the educator will have satisfied the requirement for retraining in the area of Student Growth. This AA must be paired with one of the AAs focused on Professional Practice for the population you evaluate to fulfill the entire retraining requirements.
GATHERING EVIDENCE DURING OBSERVATIONS AND CONFERENCING USING THE DANIELSON MODEL | AA1801/RETRAINING
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June 12, 2026 | 8a-4:30p
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REGISTRATION OPENS: NOVEMBER 21, 2025
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MAY 29, 2026
OTHER COURSES
AFT LEAD PROGRAM
Leadership Education and Development
The IFT, in partnership with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and Cornell University, offers the LEAD program to help local union and council teams establish strong relationships with their members and the community. Throughout the year-long program, LEAD teams hold several collaborative meetings to assess their challenges, determine how to strategically overcome them, and develop an effective action plan.
PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
TRAINING AND SUPPORT
IFT members are experts in their fields and uniquely qualified to train their colleagues. After completing an IFT Train-the-Trainer course, members are armed with the skills and materials they need to conduct professional development programs in their locals.
Programs include:
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Initial Teachers Evaluation Training
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Evaluation Empowerment
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Building Responsive and Trauma-Informed Schools, and more.
WORKSITE LEADER (WSL) TRAINING
The WSL program is designed to help union activists be effective worksite leaders in their building or workplace. WSLs play a critical role in growing and strengthening their locals and the IFT.
To become a WSL graduate participants must complete five courses, including:
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Union 101
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Communications and Information
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Worksite Advocacy
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Mobilization and Engagement
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Political, Legislative, and Community Engagement
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING, LEARNING & ASSESSMENT
The importance and power of culturally responsive practices, curriculum, and assessment to ensure students are engaged in authentic learning has never been more relevant. Join this workshop to learn more about implementing the use of curricula and assessments that are both restorative and academically rigorous. Culturally relevant curricula is a key component of trauma-informed pedagogy—but requires specific components, continual self-analysis, and mindset shifts for educators. Educators are encouraged to bring a unit- or lesson-plan to this workshop.
CUSTOM TRAINING
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Additional trainings and assistance are available based on local need and demand. Examples of custom programs include: campaign and candidate training, social media, current legislative issues, and the teacher evaluation process.
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questions? Contact Benita Twillie at
btwillie@ift-aft.org or 630/468-4080.