One year ago, we had a vision to recognize and reward teachers through a program called NGPF Academy. Teachers would receive credits based on their participation in professional development. As they moved up each level (10 hours) they would receive NGPF swag and bragging rights as an NGPF [fill in status here]. What happened next has been truly remarkable. For the year ending on May 31st, close to 5,000 educators have participated in more than 60,000 hours of professional development. How awesome is that! 

So, what's the plan for 2020-21? We will continue to provide you with engaging PD that builds your content knowledge, fosters collaboration and provides you with resources that you can implement with your students. We will continue to listen to what you are telling us on how best to support your work during these uncertain times.

As an added bonus this year, in addition to that awesome NGPF swag, you will also receive Amazon gift cards as you complete 10 hour increments of PD (we will retain the mystery of the swag): 

 Example: This example below is provided for illustrative purposes to show that swag gets sent out in the quarter that you achieve a certain level.

Some teachers have already earned Senior status (40 hours of NGPF PD) in the first month of the Academy Year (June). Swag/gift cards are sent out every quarter (you will receive the swag/gift card for the benchmarks that you most recently achieved. NGPF Academy Credits will compile throughout the 2020/21 school year. 

For example, those who reach 10 credits during the summer and become NGPF Academy Freshpersons will be sent out their swag/gift card at the end of the first quarter (ending August). You should receive them by September 30th. We find that most educators who achieved Senior status in 2019-20 kept racking up those PD hours. Why? They tell us they LOVE NGPF PD! 

This is just an example, you can earn as little or as many hours a month as you like. 

• Once you complete 10 hours of NGPF PD during the 2020-21 school year
  • You will receive a $100 gift card + NGPF Swag (please be sure your home address is in the NGPF Profile)
• Then, You complete an additional 12 hours of NGPF PD and now have total NGPF Academy credits of 22 hours
  
  • You will receive a $125 gift card + NGPF Swag when the next swag shipment is sent (quarterly)
• You complete 8 hours of NGPF PD and now have total NGPF Academy credits of 30 hours
  • You will receive a $150 gift card + NGPF Swag when the next swag shipment is sent (quarterly)
•  You complete 10 hours of NGPF PD and now have 40 total NGPF Academy Credits
  • You will receive a $200 gift card + NGPF Swag when the next swag shipment is sent (quarterly)

Here's some answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs): 

Register for NGPF's certification courses here. Currently three are being offered: investing, banking and budgeting and credit. More detailed information here. 

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.

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