Teaching today has become increasingly more demanding and challenging. As a result, it is important for teachers to develop a support system and to network in the profession. One way to do that is to join a professional organization. Being a member of a professional organization offers many benefits. It is a way to keep current in content areas in terms of research, practices and trends; it is also a way for teachers to take advantage of professional development opportunities by attending conferences and meetings.
A variety of Professional Organizations exist for teachers in each content area. Here are some links to explore:
Professional Organizations
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GENERAL EDUCATION:
 National Educators Association - NEA - http://www.nea.org
NEA is a national organization that provides many resources to teachers. Some of their services to members include: Legal help, Newsletters, Information about current legislation, etc. See your school representative to join. The NEA web site provides curriculum & other resources free of charge for teachers.
National Association for Beginning Teachers - NABT - http://www.beginningteachers.org
The NABT is a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to building a bridge of communication between beginning educators, years 1-3. The organization is dedicated to giving new teachers the support, expertise, and tools to help guide students along the path of educational improvement, community involvement, and improved self-esteem.
American Federation of Teachers - AFT - http://www.aft.org/index.html
This is a Union organization primarily made of school personnel including teachers, paraprofessionals and other school employees. They offer services similar to those provided by NEA to their members.
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development - ASCD – http://www.ascd.org
This organization addresses all aspects of effective teaching and learning—such as professional development, educational leadership, and capacity building. ASCD offers broad, multiple perspectives—across all education professions—in reporting key policies and practices.
American Educational Research Association - AERA –http://www.aera.net
AERA is the most prominent international professional organization, with the primary goal of advancing educational research and its practical application. Its 25,000 members are educators; administrators; directors of research; persons working with testing or evaluation in federal, state and local agencies; counselors; evaluators; graduate students; and behavioral scientists.
National Association for Professional Development Schools - NAPDS - http://www.napds.missouri.edu
Professional Development Schools (PDSs) are partnerships that offer opportunities for University of South Carolina and pre K- 12 schools to join together to foster the evolution of unique sites where school and University have the shared goal of enhancing the education of professionals through a serious commitment to collaboration.
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MATH
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics - NCTM - http://www.nctm.org
NCTM is a public voice of mathematics education, providing vision, leadership, and professional development to support teachers in ensuring mathematics learning of the highest quality for all students.
TODOS - http://www.todos-math.org
The mission of TODOS: Mathematics for All is to advocate for an equitable and high quality mathematics education for all students, in particular Latino/Hispanic students, by increasing the equity awareness of educators and their ability to foster students’ proficiency in rigorous and coherent mathematics.
Benjamin Banneker - http:/www.bannekermath.org
The Benjamin Banneker Association is a national non-profit organization dedicated to mathematics education advocacy, establishing a presence for leadership, and professional development to support teachers in leveling the playing field for mathematics learning of the highest quality for African-American students.
South Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics - SCCTM - http://www.scctm.org
SCCTM is the SC NCTM affiliate . The purpose of SCCTM is to support and promote mathematics and mathematics education in South Carolina
Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators – AMTE - http://www.amte.net
The AMTE is a non-profit organization created to promote the improvement of mathematics teacher education in all its aspects.
Mathematical Association of America - MAA - http://www.maa.org
The Mathematical Association of America is the largest professional society that focuses on mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level. Our members include university, college, and high school teachers; graduate and undergraduate students; pure and applied mathematicians; computer scientists; statisticians; and many others in academia, government, business, and industry. We welcome all who are interested in the mathematical sciences.
The American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges- AMATYC - http://www.amatyc.org
AMATYC provides professional development opportunities for educators interested in the first two years of collegiate mathematics instruction through an annual conference, summer institutes, traveling workshops, publications and projects.
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SCIENCE
National Science Teachers Association - NSTA - http//:www.nsta.org
NSTA's mission is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership of more than 55,000 includes science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in and committed to science education.
National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) - http://www.narst.org The National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) is a worldwide organization of professionals committed to the improvement of science teaching and learning through research. The ultimate goal of NARST is to help all learners achieve science literacy.
Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE) - http://www.aste.chem.pitt.edu
The Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE) promotes leadership and support for professionals involved in the education and development of teachers of science at all levels. ASTE advances practice and policy through scholarship, collaboration, and innovation in science teacher education across the world.
South Carolina Science Council - (SC2) - http://www.southcarolinascience.org/
The South Carolina Science Council is the largest professional organization in the state dedicated to improving science education. It provides for the exchange of ideas and activities designed to develop leadership and educational skills for science educators.
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ENGLISH
National Council of Teachers of English - NCTE- http://www.ncte.org
The National Council of Teachers of English is devoted to improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education. Since 1911, NCTE has provided a forum for the profession, an array of opportunities for teachers to continue their professional growth throughout their careers, and a framework for cooperation to deal with issues that affect the teaching of English.
International Reading Association - IRA - http://www.reading.org
IRA was founded in 1956 as a professional organization for those involved in teaching reading to learners of all ages. Our members are dedicated to promoting high levels of literacy for all by improving the quality of reading instruction, disseminating research and information about reading and encouraging the lifetime reading habit
South Carolina Council of Teachers of English - SCCTE - http://www.sccte.org
If you believe that one teacher can make a real difference, then imagine what you can do in collaboration with your colleagues throughout the state! SCCTE membership provides you with powerful teaching tools-practical information that you can use, and inspiration from other teachers who are committed to the teaching of English and the language arts.
State Council International Reading Association – SCIRA - http://www.scira.org
The South Carolina State Council of the International Reading Association provides a forum for individuals who are concerned with the teaching and improvement of reading in South Carolina. Our primary commitment is to promote literacy through the improvement of reading instruction, to encourage reading as a lifetime tool for learning, and to foster the formation of the reading habit.
National Reading Conference – NRC - http://www.nrc.org
NRC is a professional organization for individuals who share an interest in research and the dissemination of information about literacy and literacy instruction. The NRC supports the professional development of emerging and established scholars. They advocate research-informed improvements in education.
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SOCIAL STUDIES
National Council for Social Studies - NCSS – http://www.ncss.org
Social studies educators teach students the content knowledge, intellectual skills, and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of citizenship in a participatory democracy. The mission of National Council for the Social Studies is to provide leadership, service, and support for all social studies educators.
South Carolina Council for the Social Studies - SCCSS - http://www.sccss.org
The South Carolina Council for the Social Studies (SCCSS) is a professional organization for persons interested in any aspect of social studies instruction. Affiliated with the National Council for the Social Studies, SCCSS offers its members the opportunity to share in the development of ideas and programs with educators from the state, southeastern region and the nation.
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