Professional Development Opportunities
IAVAT Conference
Held the third week of June, IAVAT conference allows members to set policy, review organizational structure, complete committee work, and engage in top-notch professional development.
Conference Dates and Locations:
2020: June 16-18, Decatur Conference Center and Hotel
Conference Dates and Locations:
2020: June 16-18, Decatur Conference Center and Hotel
Beginning Ag Teacher's Workshop
Held in the fall, this two-day workshop focuses on providing educators in the first five years of teaching tips, tools, and techniques for developing strong agricultural education programs.
Conference Dates and Locations:
2015: Oct 9-10, Northfield Inn and Suites, Springfield IL
2016: Aug 1-2, Ramada Inn and Suites, Springfield IL
2017: July 31-Aug 1, Ramada Inn and Suites, Springfield IL
2018: August 2-3, Champaign, IL
Conference Dates and Locations:
2015: Oct 9-10, Northfield Inn and Suites, Springfield IL
2016: Aug 1-2, Ramada Inn and Suites, Springfield IL
2017: July 31-Aug 1, Ramada Inn and Suites, Springfield IL
2018: August 2-3, Champaign, IL
IAVAT Student Branch
Held twice through the year, student members have the opportunity to learn from mentor teachers how to build quality agriculture programs, navigate the forms and requirements of FFA, and construct hands-on learning labs for students. These events are special projects of the Ag Ed Recruitment/Retention Committee.
Dates and Locations:
Fall 2015 - November 5-7: Bus Trip departing from Springfield, IL
Fall 2016 - Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 13, 14, 15, 2016: Bus Trip departing from Mt. Vernon, IL
Dates and Locations:
Fall 2015 - November 5-7: Bus Trip departing from Springfield, IL
Fall 2016 - Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 13, 14, 15, 2016: Bus Trip departing from Mt. Vernon, IL

Fall 2015 Student Branch Flier |
212 Professional Development
Use the link below to view/download materials from professional development at 212 Conference.
ELITE Conference Professional Development
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Continuing Education Courses
Sponsored by FCAE, Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education, as a special project funded by the Agricultural Education Line Item, Continuing Education courses are available for teachers to earn graduate credit in a variety of areas.
Offered Annually:
Ag Ed 499 - Beginning Agriculture Teachers Course: Graduate course designed for first-year teachers in order to supply them with the knowledge and skills necessary to get their career started off on the right foot.
Offered as funds are available and the need is present:
Agriculture Mechanics - Graduate course for any agriculture teacher that needs to develop and/or enhance their skills in several areas of agricultural mechanics such as electricity, construction, welding, small engines, etc. (plan to offer every other year)
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) - Graduate course designed to provide beginning teachers with the skills and information necessary to be able to successfully teach and mentor students regarding their SAE project / work-based learning experiences. (plan to offer every other year)
Others as identified by the membership and the FCAE staff.
Offered Annually:
Ag Ed 499 - Beginning Agriculture Teachers Course: Graduate course designed for first-year teachers in order to supply them with the knowledge and skills necessary to get their career started off on the right foot.
Offered as funds are available and the need is present:
Agriculture Mechanics - Graduate course for any agriculture teacher that needs to develop and/or enhance their skills in several areas of agricultural mechanics such as electricity, construction, welding, small engines, etc. (plan to offer every other year)
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) - Graduate course designed to provide beginning teachers with the skills and information necessary to be able to successfully teach and mentor students regarding their SAE project / work-based learning experiences. (plan to offer every other year)
Others as identified by the membership and the FCAE staff.
NAAE Region IV Conference
Held at the end of June, this conference gathers agriculture educators from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio to discuss regional issues, select national award winners, provide feedback on NAAE policy updates, and engage in fellowship and professional development tours. Host states for the coming years are:
2016: Ohio
2017: Missouri
2018: Indiana
2016: Ohio
2017: Missouri
2018: Indiana

2016 Additional Details |
NAAE National Conference / ACTE CareerTech Vision
Ready for professionalism at the national level? These two conferences, held simultaneously, give members the opportunity to network with teachers across the country and engage in professional development in all areas of career and technical education. Conference dates and locations are:
2016: Las Vegas
2016: Las Vegas
National Policy Seminar
Engage in advocacy at the national level with the National Policy Seminar! This three-day event will provide advocacy training, engage participants with governmental speakers, and offer opportunities to meet 1:1 with legislators in both the House and the Senate.