Professional Development

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) is certified by the Illinois State Board of Education to provide Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs). ALPLM’s professional development programs align to our missions to "inspire civic engagement through the diverse lens of Illinois history and share with the world the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln." Our programs help participants develop advanced research skills, incorporate original records into classroom instruction, and use best practices to cultivate students’ disciplinary literacy and inquiry skills.

All professional development programs are offered free of charge and open to educators across all subject areas and levels (primary, secondary, and higher education).

Scheduled Programs

The Education Department programs throughout the year to coincide with temporary exhibits, public programs or holidays, and museum initiatives.

As part of this programming, we offer two series options:

• PD in Your PJs: One-hour virtual sessions, offered monthly on Mondays from September-May, where educators are invited to come as they are, drink what they like, and learn from the experts.
• Book Clubs for Educators: Offered in June, July, and August, and a few times each semester, these virtual book clubs invite you to read and discuss compelling books with our staff and your peers. CPDU credits are awarded for reading the book and participating in the discussion.

To learn more about these programs or register to attend, please visit the ALPLM's Upcoming Events page.

Teacher In-Service

In addition to the programs scheduled by the Library, the Education Department offers other programs, described below, that can be scheduled by schools, districts, and other education organizations.

These programs can be modified to meet your learning objectives, time allotment, and location constraints and may be presented at the Library, your site, or via distance technology. Requests for onsite presentations outside of Sangamon County will incur travel expenses. With enough notice, the Education Department can also develop unique programs aligned to local learning initiatives and specific subject or content area needs.

Please contact the Education Department for additional information or to schedule an in-service presentation.

Lincoln and African Americans

The ALPLM offers two different programs that encourage educators to examine Lincoln's views on both slavery and African Americans. Applying a "both/and" lens, these sessions seek to complicate how we understand Lincoln as a historical actor, a product of his time, and through our modern lenses.

How to Use the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

Learn about the original records and resources available at the Library and how they can help your students complete research projects throughout the school year, including those for Illinois History Day. Instruction focuses on finding and requesting library materials ahead of scheduling a student research visit and includes a tour of the Library’s various departments. 

Digging Deeper: Content Knowledge

These sessions, led by the ALPLM's expert historians, allow participants to dig deeper and learn more about a variety of topics, including President Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War Era, Reconstruction, Illinois and Midwest History, the Red Summer and Great Migration, the Civil Rights Movement, the work of the professional historian, and teaching complex histories.

If you are interested in booking this session, please let the Education team know your learning objectives or goals for the program in your request email.

Interested in Partnering with ALPLM?

If you wish to partner with ALPLM to create a professional development opportunity for educators, please contact the Education Department to discuss your ideas.