Maker Educator Leadership Certificate Program
Become an educator who leads what learning can be.
Registration Open
Registration is now open for the 2027 Maker Educator Leadership Certificate Program.
Turn your instincts into impact
The Maker Educator Leadership Certificate Program helps educators design, implement, and lead meaningful learning experiences grounded in making, reflection, and research.
Through a year-long cohort experience, participants strengthen their practice, clarify their leadership, and apply new ideas directly within their own schools, libraries, museums, and communities.
How does the program work?
The program consists of four fully online, sequential courses dedicated to building educators’ intentional design of maker-based learning experiences, documentation of those experiences, and tools and routines to discuss their work with colleagues.
Participants will engage in weekly asynchronous learning experiences and discussions. The cohort will meet synchronously via Zoom for hands-on activities and conversation three times per module.
Program Calendar
The program runs from January through November (with a summer break).
- Module One: Foundations of Maker-based Education
Establish a deeper understanding of maker education and identify your values and priorities for maker-based education. - Module Two: Assessment, Instructional Design, and Routines
Learn about documentation as a form of assessment and develop thinking routines to support your instructional goals. - Module Three: Culture Building with Colleagues
Learn to use discussion protocols and other methods to share your practice with colleagues. - Module Four: Hands-on Practicum
Design, implement, and refine a meaningful project to explore your values and apply what you’ve learned.
Who is this for?
The program welcomes educators from a variety of settings, disciplines, and career stages.
- K-12 teachers
- Higher Education instructors
- Out-of-School Time educators
- Museum educators
- Librarians
- Entrepreneurs
- Creative individuals
From the most experienced makers to novice tinkerers, everyone is welcome and will find ways to advance their leadership potential.
A Professional Learning Experience in Community
The Maker Educator Leadership Certificate Program combines research, reflection, collaboration, and hands-on learning to help educators grow their practice and lead meaningful change in their own contexts.
Research-informed Practice
Build your knowledgebase and apply frameworks to real learning challenges
Learning in Community
Learn alongside fellow educators across geographies and disciplines
Optional Graduate Credits
Advance your post-graduate studies by earning optional credits
Reflection & Documentation
Make your thinking visible and learn how to lead reflective practices
Leadership Development
Clarify your values and vision, and how to leverage them for impact
Capstone Project
Design and lead a practicum project to transform learning in your context
Alumni Testimonials
The research helped validate why we do what we do… Some of those articles are now my anchors for the professional development I design.
Sarah Wiley
Museum Educator
It led me to where I am now with my business: ‘Oh, I can do this.’
Gerjuan O'Neal
Makerspace Founder
The program was the right amount of challenge for a full-time working teacher… The right amount for fitting into life and pushing practice forward.
Melissa Unger
K-2 Teacher
Stay Informed
Complete the form below to express your interest in the program, learn more about the program, and opportunities to join the future cohorts.