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.
NEW! Fall and Spring semester schedule allows us to offer two distinct training sessions during the 2025-26 school year.
FALL SEMESTER TRAINING DATES:
2025
SEPTEMBER 13-14
OCTOBER 11-12
NOVEMBER 8-9
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SPRING SEMESTER TRAINING DATES:
2026
FEBRUARY 7-8
MARCH 7-8
APRIL 11-12
Registration opens 12/15/25
Three ULI Courses offered each semester
IFT’s leadership training courses have been developed to help new and veteran leaders in all IFT constituencies develop their skills.
BOOT CAMP FOR UNION LEADERS
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Compile a "toolbox" of valuable resources
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Define and discuss the roles of local officers
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Identify techniques to motivate and empower local members
EFFECTIVE GRIEVANCE ADMINISTRATION
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Learn to distinguish a gripe from a grievance
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Develop proficiency in investigating and researching grievances
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Practice preparation and presentation of grievances
INTRODUCTION TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
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Review collective bargaining laws
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Discuss the different negotiation stages
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Draft and analyze contract proposals
​All ULI training will be held at IFT’s Healey Center, 500 Oakmont Lane, Westmont, Illinois.
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Classes run Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Sundays from 9 a.m. – noon.
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Courses are $400.00 per semester and includes all training materials, daily breakfasts, lunch, and a reception on Saturdays.
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Overnight hotel accommodation at the Marriott Oak Brook Hotel will be available for all sessions for an additional cost.
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REGISTRATION FOR 2026 SPRING SESSION OPENS ON DECEMBER 15, 2025
IFT Evaluator training courses​
GATHERING EVIDENCE DURING OBSERVATIONS AND CONFERENCING USING THE DANIELSON MODEL
This one-day course, intended for administrators who need to re-qualify to evaluate teachers, focuses on increasing inter-rater reliability and controlling bias when collecting, aligning, and rating evidence and conducing post-observation conferences. Upon successful completion, the educator will have satisfied the requirement for retraining in the area of Professional Practice. This AA must be paired with AA3000 to fulfill the entire retraining requirements.
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.
This one-day course, intended for administrators who need to re-qualify to evaluate teachers, focuses on increasing inter-rater reliability and controlling bias when collecting, aligning, and rating evidence and conducing post-observation conferences. Upon successful completion, the educator will have satisfied the requirement for retraining in the area of Professional Practice. This AA must be paired with AA3000 to fulfill the entire retraining requirements.
AA1801/RETRAINING
Nov 15, 2025 | 8a-4:30p
REGISTRATION OPENS: OCTOBER 6, 2025
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 6, 2025
AA2001/INITIAL
Mar 26, 2025 | 4p-6p
Apr 12, 2025 | 8a-4:30p
Apr 13, 2025 | 8a-4:30p
REGISTRATION CLOSED
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AA3000/RETRAINING
AA1801/RETRAINING
Illinois Performance Evaluation – Initial Teacher Evaluation Training
AA2001/Initial
Jan 14, 2026 | 4p-6p
Jan 24, 2026 | 8a-4:30p
Jan 25, 2026 | 8a-4:30p
REGISTRATION OPENS: Dec 6, 2025
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Jan 6, 2026
Using Student Growth Data in Professional Evaluations For Retraining of Teacher and Principal Evaluators in the Area of Student Growth
AA3000/Retraining
Feb. 21, 2026 | 8a-4:30p
REGISTRATION OPENS: Jan 12, 2026
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Feb 12, 2026
2026 course dates
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.