Ideas for professional development
This page includes a collection of professional development suggestions to support intern teacher development.
Browse by category using the tabs below.
Prefer a downloadable version? You can download an Excel spreadsheet with all the links included.
Download ExcelIdeas for School-Based Professional Development
The topics below are suggestions for professional development sessions, workshops, or enrichment activities that your school could facilitate for interns. Use what is relevant for your context and the stage of the intern's development.
Parent & Community Communication
- How teachers handle parent meetings (observe or sit in if possible)
- Managing email and/or WhatsApp communication with parents
- Keeping records of parent interactions
- Forging good relationships with parents and learners
- Dealing with difficult parent interactions professionally
Administration & Planning
- Understanding teacher files, learner portfolios, and record-keeping
- Weekly and termly planning: joining planning meetings
- Report writing and providing constructive feedback on learner progress
- Using school technology: photocopiers, online systems
Learner Support
- Identifying and supporting learners with barriers to learning
- Recognising and addressing social and emotional challenges that impact learning
- Meeting with the school's learning support teacher
Enrichment & Extra-Curricular
- Managing school clubs, sports teams and enrichment activities
- Planning and coordinating school camps and excursions
- Creating project-based learning opportunities
Assessment
- Writing report comments that are constructive and meaningful
- Marking creative writing and providing useful feedback
- Developing rubrics for objective assessment
- Analysing learner performance and adjusting teaching accordingly
- Preparing for parent-teacher conferences
- Moderation processes and school-based assessments (SBA)
Professional Growth
- First aid training and basic health and safety procedures in schools
- Using AI and digital tools to enhance teaching and learning
Edutopia
Published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation. Covers project-based learning, social-emotional learning, technology integration, and best practices for educators.
TeachThought
Modern teaching strategies, educational technology, and resources for critical thinking and creativity in the classroom.
Khan Academy
Free, world-class education with practice exercises, instructional videos, and courses in Maths, Science, Humanities and more.
Purple ZA
Practical CPD courses aligned to teachers' curriculum and skill level — relevant for South African classroom contexts.
Foundations of Teaching for Learning
Eight-module programme covering pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, and professional growth. 10–15 hours per module. Certificate requires payment.
edWeb Free Webinars
Live and recorded webinars covering the Science of Reading, Social-Emotional Learning, Classroom Management, and STEM. 1 hour per webinar.
OK2Ask Virtual Workshops
Hands-on workshops for digital tools, blended learning, and classroom tech integration. Live and recorded sessions. 1–2 hours per session.
OER4Schools Professional Learning
Designed for low-resource schools. Covers interactive pedagogy, inquiry-based learning, supporting diverse learners, and assessment for learning. Self-paced.
Twinkl Phonics Training — South Africa
Phonics training videos and resources for South African teachers. Covers how to teach English phonics correctly, with practical classroom resources.
SACE-Endorsed CPD Providers
Find accredited professional development opportunities that count towards your SACE CPD points requirement.
Math Fact Fluency Strategies
Dr Jennifer Bay-Williams on developing maths fluency without rote memorisation. Focus on number sense for young learners.
Figuring Out Fluency
Bay-Williams & SanGiovanni on procedural fluency, addressing myths about fluency, and strategies for equitable fluency instruction.
6 Videos on Teaching & Learning Maths
Short video series covering growth mindset, effective practice techniques, and strategies for long-term learning success in mathematics.
YouCubed
Growth mindset in maths, problem-solving strategies, and engaging tasks for learners. Highly recommended for Foundation Phase maths teachers.
NumberSense Mathematics Programme
Builds strong number sense and conceptual understanding in South African classrooms. Focuses on fluency without rote memorisation.
Reading 101: Self-Paced Modules
Comprehensive foundation in reading instruction. Covers phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. 9–18 hours total across 9 modules.
Reading Rockets Webcasts & Webinars
Panel discussions on effective reading strategies and literacy interventions. Each webcast includes recommended readings and discussion questions.
Science of Reading Webinars
Evidence-based reading instruction covering phonemic awareness, decodable texts, structured literacy, and strategies for struggling readers.
Twinkl Phonics Training — South Africa
Phonics training videos and resources specifically for South African teachers. Practical support for teaching English phonics in Foundation Phase classrooms.
This Reading Mama
Practical phonics resources, free printables, and strategies for struggling readers. Content organised into phonics, comprehension, and writing categories.
Shanahan on Literacy
Tim Shanahan — former member of the National Reading Panel — writes accessibly about the Science of Reading, phonics, and evidence-based literacy instruction.
The Literacy Nest
Orton-Gillingham certified educator sharing structured literacy strategies, phonics tips, and dyslexia support resources. A go-to for Science of Reading classroom application.