Free Professional Development for Educators
You chose this work because it matters. You shape young minds. You support families. You build foundations that last a lifetime.
You deserve a clear, accessible path to career growth. The ELC’s Teacher Training Institute brings together all of the Coalition’s professional development opportunities under one umbrella. It’s designed for early education professionals who want to advance, earn credentials, and build lasting careers in early childhood education.
Find Your Next Opportunity
Professional development goes beyond meeting licensing requirements. When early educators strengthen their knowledge and skills, children benefit from more responsive teaching, stronger developmental support, and higher-quality learning environments. Programs may also see greater staff confidence, improved retention, and stronger quality outcomes.
Through our Provider Supports Team, educators can access coaching, classroom observation feedback, credential preparation, ongoing mentoring, career guidance, and a variety of professional development opportunities.
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Build Your Career Through Real-World Learning
The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County is proud to offer a one-of-a-kind, state-recognized, tuition-free, comprehensive training opportunity with two structured tracks:
- Pre-Apprenticeship (for new educators)
Registered Apprenticeship (for established educators pursuing a teacher credential)
Much like a college, our pioneering program delivers a structured pathway to professional success, but with a unique twist: we do it all in-house at the ELC. You don’t have to deal with university enrollment or worry about student loans. Instead, our early childhood specialists, with their deep understanding of the field, have designed this free program to meet the unique needs of each participant, even honoring active IEPs.
Programs are structured to meet Florida training standards and requirements while strengthening real classroom practice in diverse learning environments.
Both tracks are designed to support your professional development and long-term success as you earn credentials and build upon new skills.
Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)
Earn Your Credential While You Work
If you are currently working in a classroom and ready to earn your professional credential, this track is designed for you.
The Registered Apprenticeship Program allows you to earn while you learn. You’ll continue working while completing structured coursework and receiving on-site coaching.
Through RAP, you will:
- Pursue the Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC)
- Complete required coursework
- Receive on-the-job training and on-site mentoring
- Earn credit for both work hours and training hours
- Strengthen classroom practice with guided support
Infant & Toddler Educators
STAR Babies
Our free STAR Babies Certification Program is a Community of Practice created for infant and toddler caregivers serving children from birth through age 3 at ELC-contracted sites in Sarasota County.
Through 10 interactive sessions, participants will deepen their understanding of early brain development and strengthen the responsive interactions measured through Infant and Toddler CLASS®. Facilitated by Barbara Papantonakis, Early Learning Career Development Specialist, the program blends in-person meetings with online sessions via Zoom.
Applicants must have at least two years of experience working with infants and toddlers. The next cohort begins Monday, September 28, with sessions held Monday evenings from 6 to 8 PM.
Arts Integration approach for early learning
Mindful Recovery
In partnership with the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, Mindful Recovery brings arts-based learning into early childhood classrooms to support emotional resilience, calm, and connection for both children and teachers.
Participating programs will receive:
- Personalized planning before visits begin
- Three one-hour classroom visits from a professional teaching artist
- Classroom materials and resources for your classroom to keep
- Professional development support built into every session
- A classroom gift at the end of the residency
Interested in bringing the arts into your classroom?
Contact Lorrie Young at lyoung@elcsarasota.org to learn more about availability and how your program can participate.
Not sure where to start? Our Provider Supports Team can help you find professional development opportunities that fit your role, classroom, and goals.