FAQs

  • The Evolution Academy is a professional development platform created by Middle States. It offers educators flexible, project-based learning experiences so that you can work at your own pace to apply practical skills to projects that matter to you.

  • We designed The Evolution Academy for school leaders and K-12 educators. There are learning experiences for both classroom teachers and administrators who are seeking to improve their practice, stay ahead of educational innovations, and engage in project-based professional development.

  • Courses will be offered in four categories:

    • Best Teachers on Earth (BTOE): Based on our popular online workshops from 2023-24, these learning experiences use leading research on effective teacher practice to help you become (or remain) one of the best teachers on earth.

    • AI in Education: Based on our popular in-person AI workshops in 2023-24, these learning experiences teach you to use AI to save time, brainstorm more effectively, respond to challenging situations, strategize, and more.

    • Change Leadership: Based on our popular “Two Journeys” in-person workshops in 2023-24, these learning experiences 

    • RAIL (Responsible AI in Learning): Based on our popular endorsement for K-12 schools in responsible AI in learning, these learning experiences help you put in place all the necessary elements for full-school “AI Literacy, Safety, and Ethics.” (Note: this option is only available with the Small Group or Full School subscription.)

  • The Evolution Academy offers flexible subscription pricing. Every subscription comes with unlimited access to the platform for the year.

    • Individual Subscription: $249 for MSA members, $399 for non-MSA members

    • Small Group Subscription (5 people): $999 for MSA members, $1999 for non-MSA members

    • Full School Subscription (up to 50 people): $4999 for MSA members, $5999 for non-MSA members

    For more than 50 people, please contact Nicole Grimes at ngrimes@msa-cess.org?

  • Our courses are:

    • Customizable: In each course, you apply your learning to a project that matters to you.

    • Project-Based: With our project-based workbooks, you’ll be able to translate the big ideas we teach you to a real-world problem.

    Flexible: Work at your own pace. We know that busy teachers and administrators rarely can find long chunks of time, so we have divided each learning experience into bite-sized modules.

  • Courses emphasize:

    • Applied Learning: You’ll listen to videos and read texts so that you can transfer your learning to your personal project.

    • Inquiry: Throughout each learning experience, you will be invited to explore big questions that drive deep understanding.

    • Community: Join a community of educators who support and inspire each other.

  • You will receive a certificate of completion at the successful conclusion of a workshop. This digital certificate links to a webpage outlining the learning outcomes covered in the workshop. You can display your certificates on LinkedIn or your CV. You can also share it directly with your school or prospective employers.

  • The Best Teachers on Earth (BTOE) is a series of workshops centered on five key principles:

    1. Knowing your strengths

    2. Being a learner first

    3. Learning in community

    4. Making thinking visible

    5. Experimenting amidst change

    Based on the latest research, these workshops help educators reflect on their practice and develop new strategies—all in service of becoming one of the “best teachers on Earth.”

  • Our AI workshops guide you through the fundamentals of artificial intelligence in education. Topics include:

    • AI 101: Introduction to generative AI and essential applications for your school or classroom.

    • AI 201: Advanced AI use cases for your school or classroom.

    • AI Pilot Playbook: How to design and lead an AI pilot program in your department or school.

  • These workshops provide frameworks and tools for designing, guiding, and managing change in schools. The goal is to enable you to facilitate sustainable, mission-aligned change. You’ll explore topics like:

    The Evolution Agenda

    Strategy Making vs. Strategic Planning

    Developing Shared Understanding and Commitment

  • You can sign up directly on The Evolution Academy website.

  • Participants will receive:

    • Access to course materials and templates

    • Guidance from expert facilitators

    • Opportunities for peer collaboration

    • Regular check-ins to track progress

  • Traditional PD often follows a one-size-fits-all model with little room for personalization. In contrast, The Evolution Academy:

    • Lets you learn at your own pace.

    • Focuses on project-based learning, so you immediately apply what you learn.

    • Helps you connect with like-minded professionals who are as passionate about growth as you are.