Teacher Programs

About Teacher Programs

NCTA provides content rich professional development programs for K-12 educators and pre-service teachers in all fields. This includes face-to-face college level seminars, online courses, workshops, book groups, webinars, and among other opportunities. Below are current offerings both locally and nationwide:

Event/Opportunity Type: 

TOTS 2025 Japan Series - An NCTA Virtual Japan Experience for K-12 Educators

Three Workshop Sessions this Fall
 
(September 30, October 21 & November 18, 2025)
 
 
7:00pm - 8:30pm Eastern Time
 
 
Online via Zoom; open to all states
 
 
 
Join our Ohio State University colleagues as the NCTA Tokaido, Origami, Temples and Shrines (TOTS) team will present the new, visually rich “Virtual Japan Experience” curriculum series developed by a cohort of K-12 and community college educators.
 
Over three sessions this Fall, you will discover new techniques for bringing East Asian culture into your classroom while walking away with a variety of free resources and interdisciplinary lessons to help you successfully take your students along this journey.
 
  • September 30, 2025: Temples and Shrines: Nature, Symbols, Rituals, and Art; Temples at Shrines and Shrines at Temples 
  • October 21, 2025: Origami: Folded Emotions and Patterns in Nature; Folding 1,000 Cranes Tradition 
  • November 18, 2025: Tokaido Road: Bugs, Food, Music, and Children Along the Tokaido Road (Japan's National Road) 
 
Attendance for the whole series is encouraged but not required. PD will be sent accordingly. Pennsylvania teachers can receive ACT 48 hours.
 
Coordinated by the East Asian Studies Center at The Ohio State University.
 
 
Event/Opportunity Type: 

Culture and Society in Contemporary Japan - A Mini-Course for K-16 Educators

 

Culture and Society in Contemporary Japan - A Mini-Course for K-16 Educators

 

Saturday, October 18th & Saturday, October 25th 

 
9:00am – 4:00pm (Eastern Time) 
 
In person at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
 
Bring Japan to your classroom and join our two-day mini-course for K-16 educators! Explore how tradition and change shape contemporary Japanese society through literature, film, and food. Learn from Penn scholars and connect with fellow educators passionate about teaching East Asia. This mini course will feature the following topics:
  • Contemporary Japanese life through literature, film, anime
  • Equity and gender in contemporary Japan
  • The Imperial Family in Japanese politics and society
  • Food in popular culture through a "hands-on" craft activity
  • And more...
 
Participants who attend both sessions in full will receive Certificates of Completion; Pennsylvania teachers will also receive Act 48 hours. Participants will also receive complimentary teaching/reading materials. Participants must attend both sessions to receive these materials.  
 
After you register, we will send you a confirmation email.
 
Lunch and refreshments will be included.
 
Registration deadline: October 17, 2025
 
 
Event/Opportunity Type: