Be a current K–12 classroom teacher.
Join Us Virtually in 2026 for an Unforgettable Journey!
Elevate your practice. Empower your students. Connect with changemakers.
Step into a vibrant community of passionate educators who are leading the way in student success. The AVID Certified Educator experience is more than a program—it’s a transformational journey of collaboration, reflection, and professional growth.
Designed to support and inspire, this cohort offers a powerful space to exchange ideas, tackle real challenges, and celebrate wins—all while applying the AVID Foundations of Instruction in meaningful and lasting ways.
Curious about the impact? Listen to our podcast to hear how this certification is transforming classrooms, building strong professional networks, and creating ripple effects across entire campuses.
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This program is designed to fit into your busy schedule while offering meaningful, sustained growth. You’ll join a virtual cohort that meets four times during the 2026–2027 school year, creating a collaborative space for reflection, feedback, and support.
The experience wraps up with a capstone demonstration and celebration—a chance to showcase your growth and accomplishments.
Between Sessions, You’ll:
Reflect on your teaching practices and growth.
Engage with curated resources to deepen your understanding of the AVID Foundations of Instruction.
Document your learning through real-world classroom artifacts—like student work or lesson plans—that show how you're applying what you've learned.
This is a manageable, high-impact opportunity to grow professionally, connect with peers, and make a lasting difference for your students—all without overloading your schedule.
$1,249/person
The 2026 application window opens January 5–30!
Date Package Options:
Option 1: July 8–10 and Tuesdays
Option 2: July 8–10 and Saturdays
Option 3: July 27–29 and Tuesdays
Option 4: July 27–29 and Saturdays
Time Commitments:
July 8–10 Launch:
10 am – 3 pm CT each day with a 30-min break at 12 pm CT
July 27–29 Launch:
10 am – 3 pm CT each day with a 30-min break at 12 pm CT
Tuesday Collaborative Sessions (6–8 pm CT):
October 6, 2026
December 8, 2026
February 2, 2027
April 13, 2027
Saturday Collaborative Sessions (10 am – 12 pm CT):
October 3, 2026
December 5, 2026
January 30, 2027
April 10, 2027
Build a Model Classroom
This professional learning experience empowers educators to design and implement model classrooms that promote student ownership, engagement, and real-world readiness. Participants will explore student-centered strategies, apply them in their own classrooms, and reflect on their impact through collaboration and feedback.
Throughout the year, educators will test ideas in practice, collect classroom artifacts, and engage with a supportive cohort. The experience will culminate in a capstone demonstration, leaving participants with a clear, actionable plan for building thriving, student-driven classrooms.
Hear from Tracie McMurray about how the AVID Certified Educator program reignited her passion for teaching and transformed her classroom.
Hear from Richard Pardo about how the diagnostic teaching and AVID strategies he learned in this program have enhanced his instructional effectiveness.
Hear from Sarah Neitz about how the AVID Certified Educator program is helping her create a positive and effective classroom environment.
Eligibility
Certification Requirements
Questions? Read our FAQ.
The Ideal Candidate:
- Possesses a foundational understanding of AVID methodologies and seeks to enhance their implementation through intentional design.
- Holds the conviction that every student will succeed and is committed to supporting this success.
- Believes in the necessity of ongoing reflection, refinement, and collaboration to enhance their professional practice.
- Has the desire to engage with an ongoing network of educators centered around mutual support for the application of the AVID Foundations of Instruction.
NEW IN 2026:
AVID Certified Educator: Instructional Coaching
AVID Certified Educator: Instructional Coaching provides essential tools for instructional leaders—including instructional coaches, principals, assistant principals, department chairs, and lead teachers—to build educator capacity and elevate student outcomes in alignment with AVID’s College and Career Readiness Framework. Participants will explore AVID Foundations of Instruction and apply them in coaching cycles with staff to transform classroom practices and increase student access to deeper learning opportunities. This training equips educators to lead with intentionality, cultivating a growth-minded learning culture designed to close opportunity gaps and promote relational capacity. For campuses with AVID Certified Educators, this program also offers strategies to leverage their expertise, expand AVID’s impact, and foster sustainable practices across the school community.
Eligibility
To apply for the AVID Certified Educator: Instructional Coaching program, you must:
Interested in becoming part of this inaugural cohort?
Sign up to receive updates about the new AVID Certified Educator: Instructional Coaching cohorts, launching summer of 2026.
Are you starting your journey to become an AVID Certified Educator? We’ve compiled a list of potential funding sources to help support your efforts. While we’ve curated these options to align with your needs, please note that AVID is not affiliated with any of these grant programs, and grant approval is not guaranteed.
- Spark Good Local Grant
- Fund for Teachers Fellowship Grant
- NEA Foundation Learning and Leadership Grants
- McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation
Please be aware that the details of these programs are subject to change over time. We recommend carefully reviewing the criteria on each program’s webpage to ensure that your application meets all of the requirements and complies with your district’s guidelines. For additional support and resources, consider viewing our Funding AVID Webinar.
