Apple to Offer Free Professional Learning to Teachers Across Chicago

In a press release today, Apple has announced a new partnership with Chicago Public Schools and Northwestern University in an effort to provide free professional learning to teachers across the city, and offer them tools to bring coding and computer science into the classroom. “Teachers make a world of difference in their students’ lives”, said Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Apple plans to establish a Center for Excellence at Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago, that will serve as a teaching and learning hub to introduce high school teachers to Apple’s “Everyone Can Code” curriculum. Moreover, the collaboration will help expand opportunities for teachers in Chicago, giving them new expertise to share with their students.

In order to help address the national shortage of high school computer science teachers, Apple notes that teachers will also have the opportunity to be trained on the App Development with Swift course.

“There’s no better place than Chicago Public Schools — the first urban school district to make computer science a graduation requirement — to see the benefit that computer science instruction is having on students,” said Dr. Janice K. Jackson, CEO of Chicago Public Schools. “Our innovative collaboration with Apple and Northwestern will prepare more educators to lead 21st Century classrooms and help ensure Chicago students have the resources, support and high-quality instruction needed to become tomorrow’s leaders.”

In addition to free professional learning sessions at the Center for Excellence, teachers will also have access to in-school coaching and mentorship opportunities to ensure they are comfortable teaching Apple’s “Everyone Can Code” curriculum.