Election Day Becomes a Professional Learning Opportunity for Educators

National Training Network will offer virtual sessions Nov. 3 focused on math support for paraprofessionals and strategies for supporting multilingual learners.

NEW YORK CITY, FL, UNITED STATES, September 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Who Supports the Support Staff? Schools Face a Professional Learning Gap in Math

Paraprofessionals and educators supporting multilingual learners play critical roles in student learning, yet role-specific math professional development can be difficult to find.

As schools begin a new academic year with continued pressure to strengthen student achievement in mathematics, the need for additional instructional support remains significant. According to the 2024 Nation’s Report Card, just 39% of fourth-grade students performed at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics.

As schools work to improve those outcomes, attention often turns to curriculum, classroom teachers and instructional programs. But paraprofessionals and educators working with English language learners and multilingual learners (ELLs/MLLs) also play an important role in helping students access mathematics, reinforce instruction and work through challenging concepts. Yet professional learning opportunities are not always designed around the specific math-related challenges these educators encounter in their roles.

“Paraprofessionals and educators supporting multilingual learners are doing incredibly important work with students every day,” said Nicole Powers, CEO of National Training Network (NTN). “If we’re serious about improving math outcomes, we have to make sure the educators providing that additional layer of support have access to practical, math-specific professional learning too.”

Rethinking How Professional Learning Time Is Used

Professional development and teacher workdays give school leaders an opportunity to move beyond one-size-fits-all training and provide learning that reflects the roles educators actually play with students. In districts where Election Day is designated as a teacher workday, professional learning day or student holiday, November 3 provides one such opportunity.

NTN will offer two live, virtual professional learning experiences that day: one for elementary paraprofessionals supporting multiplication instruction in grades 3–5 and another for K–12 educators supporting ELL/MLL students in mathematics. Both focus on practical approaches educators can apply directly to their work with students, and will receive documentation for 3 CTLE credit hours in states where NTN is an approved continuing education provider (such as NY and NC). For schools where November 3 is not a professional learning day, or for educators unable to participate live, on-demand options will also be available following Election Day.

“Professional learning is most valuable when educators can see a direct connection between what they’re learning and the students sitting in front of them,” Powers said. “We want educators to leave with learning they can put into practice immediately.”

Schools and districts can learn more about the professional learning opportunities and registration here.
Nicole Powers, CEO of NTN Math is available for interviews. Please reach out to her email directly to schedule.

About National Training Network (NTN)
For more than 30 years, National Training Network has partnered with schools and districts to strengthen mathematics teaching and learning through professional development, coaching and instructional resources. NTN works alongside educators and school leaders to build instructional capacity and advance its mission that every math student is a problem solver.

Nicole Powers, CEO
National Training Network (NTN)
n.powers@ntnmath.com
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