Looking for professional learning that goes deeper than a one-time session? The TeachersFirst Book Study brings educators together for several weeks of reading, discussion, and hands-on practice guided by our team of expert edtech coaches. You'll leave with research-based instructional strategies that both support student success and are easy to implement, plus you can earn credit to support your professional goals.

NEW this winter: Educators who complete the book study are eligible for up to 2 graduate credit hours from Adams State University ($60 per credit hour). Learn how it works >>

What Makes This Book Study Unique?

Expert Guidance: Our experienced edtech coaches support you every step of the way, with feedback on your work and optional weekly coaching sessions.

Credit & Value: Free to join, our free book study can help you earn PDUs, relicensure credit (varies by state), and affordable graduate credit hours.

Innovative Format: Stay motivated with gamified professional learning, which research shows can improve learning, motivation, and engagement.^* Earn badges, complete challenges, and move through an immersive story.

Community Connection: Exchange ideas with educators from across the country in a supportive, first-timer-friendly environment, guided by our coaches.

Flexible Learning: Complete your weekly work asynchronously, on your schedule, and join two live virtual sessions that bring the whole group together.

Practical Application: Build a toolkit of research-based instructional strategies and activities you can bring into your classroom right away.

This Winter's Book

This winter, our book study features AI and Civic Engagement: 75+ Cross-Curricular Activities to Empower Your Students by Torrey Trust and Robert W. Maloy. Don't let the title fool you: this study isn't just for civics teachers. Together, we'll explore how generative AI can support critical thinking, digital citizenship, and civic learning in any subject. You'll:

• Build your AI literacy and learn the ins and outs of ethical generative AI use for you and your students.
• Explore cross-curricular learning plans, activities, and prompt templates aligned to the ISTE Standards for Students.
• Strengthen students’ digital citizenship and media literacy skills, including how to help them identify AI generated misinformation.
• Join the Guild of Continuance on a steampunk adventure to bring civic harmony back to the six districts of Aeternum.

Schedule & Program Highlights

Our winter book study runs from January 11 to February 26, 2027, and is hosted in TeachersFirst's professional learning platform. Each week, plan to:

• Read a section of the featured book.
• Share ideas and give feedback in asynchronous discussions.
• Complete hands-on activities and gamified challenges.
• Join optional weekly coaching sessions for extra support.

You'll also attend two required live virtual sessions: an onboarding session on January 11 to help you get set up, and a session on February 25 to close out the study. Sessions are not recorded, so plan to join live.

This is an in-depth, active learning experience (it's even approved for graduate credit), so it's a great fit for educators who are ready to dive in each week. Educators can expect to spend approximately 3 hours per week reading, responding to prompts, giving feedback, and completing activities.

Earn Credit

Professional development units (PDUs)
Earn 14 PDUs for completing the book study and up to 25 PDUs by completing additional challenges and activities.

Relicensure credit
Educators in these states are pre-approved to earn relicensure credit through our partnerships:

• Illinois: Illinois Digital Educators Alliance (IDEA) approved partner. IDEA provides ISBE-approved professional development hours (PDH) to Illinois educators who fully participate in the TeachersFirst Book Study.
• Pennsylvania: PAECT partner. We've partnered with PAECT to provide Act 48 hours to Pennsylvania educators who fully participate in the TeachersFirst Book Study.
• Texas: Texas Education Agency (TEA) approved provider of continuing professional education. Texas educators can earn CPE hours by fully participating in the TeachersFirst Book Study.

NEW: Graduate Credit
Educators who complete the book study can earn up to two graduate credit hours from Adams State University for $60 per credit hour. The number of credits you earn depends on the amount of additional coursework you complete. Graduate credit is user-paid and available to participants in any state. Here's how it works:

• Complete the book study, including additional coursework for graduate credit.
• You'll receive an email with a link to our partner page on the Adams State University website.
• Select the course, add it to your cart, and check out. Payment goes directly to Adams State University.
• Adams State University verifies your completion and provides transcript.

Cost
The book study is free to join. You'll purchase the featured book, and when you successfully complete the book study, you'll receive an Amazon gift card to help cover the cost of the book. Graduate credit is optional.

Is the Book Study Right for You?

The book study is a great fit if you:

• Teach grades 4–12 in any content area, or support educators as a coach, librarian, or technology or media specialist.
• Want professional learning that goes beyond a sit-and-get.
• Are ready to try new strategies with expert support, whatever your comfort level with technology.

Apply Now

What Educators Say

"I have been teaching for 27 years . . . . This experience was perfect. It allowed me to learn and experiment in a supportive environment. It encouraged me to take risks." (Middle School Teacher, NY)

"Loved the gamified PD model!" (Tech Coach, VA)

"I was so surprised by the sense of community we built. . . . I connected with teachers from across the country and learned so much from their experiences. It is a professional network that I'll continue to use!" (Elementary School Teacher, PA)

Key Dates

• Applications open: November 1, 2026
• Applications close: December 11, 2026
• Book study runs: January 11–February 26, 2027
• Live sessions: January 11 and February 25

FAQ

Is the book study really free?
Yes. Our book study is free to join and attend. All participants who complete the study will earn a free certificate. You'll purchase the featured book, and you can receive an Amazon gift card to help cover its cost when you successfully complete the study. Optional graduate credit hours are offered through Adams State University and are user-paid ($60 per credit hour).

How do I apply?
Complete the application by December 11, 2026. All applications are reviewed.

Can my team or school sign up together?
Each educator needs to apply individually, so share this page with colleagues and encourage them to apply too!

Do I need to be tech-savvy?
Not at all. The TeachersFirst Book Study is designed for all technology comfort levels. You'll start with an onboarding session and tutorials, and our expert coaches are available to help throughout.

Are the live sessions recorded?
No. The two required live virtual sessions are not recorded, so please plan to attend live.

Will my graduate credit show up in TrainerCentral?
No. Graduate credit is purchased and recorded through Adams State University, which provides your transcript directly.

Ready to dive in?
Apply for the 2027 TeachersFirst Winter Book Study by December 11, 2026.

Apply Now

Not ready yet? Subscribe to learn about future book studies.

* Sailer, M., & Homner, L. (2020). The gamification of learning: A meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 32, 77–112.