For over 28 years, PDI has provided high-quality professional development to K–12 teachers nationwide. Our online courses offer research-based strategies and practical, classroom-ready tools educators can apply immediately to engage students, improve outcomes, and address the real challenges they face every day.

Every PDI course is written by a highly qualified author and taught by an experienced educator with extensive classroom expertise, ensuring teachers receive practical guidance grounded in a real understanding of today’s classrooms.

PDI also partners with respected universities to offer flexible credit options through American College of Education (ACE), which offers degree-eligible graduate credit, and the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies, which offers graduate-level continuing education credit. Many educators use PDI courses to meet credential renewal or salary advancement requirements, making it easier to continue their professional growth while working toward their individual career goals.

At PDI, our standards of excellence are reflected in every course we offer. We know teachers have many professional development providers to choose from, and we believe they deserve courses that are practical, research-based, academically rigorous, and immediately applicable in the classroom—all while supporting their long-term professional goals.

Our Professional Development Rubric provides a helpful guide for identifying the qualities that define high-quality professional development, from academic rigor and classroom relevance to experienced instructor support and university-backed credit. It can also serve as a useful resource for school districts and evaluators when reviewing professional development for salary advancement.

Whether you’re pursuing credential renewal, salary advancement, or continued professional growth, these are the standards that guide everything we do at PDI.

While AI is transforming education, there’s nothing artificial about PDI’s commitment to authentic, human-centered professional development. That’s why PDI does not use AI to develop course content or teach our courses. Every course is written by experienced educators and supported by real instructors who understand the realities, challenges, and rewards of today’s classrooms.

While AI has its place in education, it cannot replicate the insight, empathy, and human connection that teachers deserve in their professional learning experience. Backed by trusted university partnerships and more than 28 years of serving educators, PDI remains committed to providing meaningful professional development that helps teachers grow, advance their careers, and make a lasting impact on student learning.

Want to learn more? In her article, The Impact of AI on Professional Development, PDI Founder, Connie Ryan, explores why professional learning is most effective when it combines innovation with the expertise, guidance, and support of real educators.