Inspire Ready!

The LOS journey: Turning industry experience into classroom impact

Our Educator Services team is here to help you take what you know from the field and translate it into meaningful learning for Idaho students. Here are the steps to turn your industry experience into classroom impact:

1. Qualify for a Limited Occupational Specialist (LOS) certificate.

Use your professional experience to qualify for a teaching certificate in your technical area.

2. Get hired and begin your Professional Development Plan (PDP).

Once certified and hired, your approved PDP is shared with our Professional Development team. They’ll connect with you to help you navigate the transition to teaching and guide you through the requirements of your LOS certificate during its three-year validity period.

3. Begin teaching while completing professional development.

You’ll start teaching right away while completing training through Inspire Ready! or university coursework.

4. Apply for your Standard or Advanced Occupational Specialist (SOS) certificate.

After completing your PDP, you’ll upgrade your certification and continue teaching full-time.

5. Advance to Advanced Occupational Specialist (AOS), if desired.

Continue your professional growth with additional coursework or a teacher education degree to reach Idaho’s highest level of CTE certification.

Where Inspire Ready! fits

Inspire Ready! is a streamlined, Idaho-specific professional development option that replaces multiple disconnected trainings with one coherent sequence delivered by IDCTE at no cost to participants.

• Cohorts and pacing: Semester-based cohorts; most teachers finish in about two years.
• Support: Each participant works with a Regional Teacher Educator (RTE).
• Transition: If you’re already using CTE Learn or CSI NTEPP modules, you can stay on your course or switch to Inspire Ready!

Course overview

Completing Inspire Ready! fulfills the professional development requirements for upgrading your LOS certificate to an SOS certificate.

Block A—Launching Your Classroom with Confidence

Learn essentials like lesson planning, classroom management and assessment basics.

Block B—Planning and Teaching for Engagement and Mastery

Practice instructional strategies and student engagement techniques through a CTE lens.

Block C—Growing as a Reflective, Collaborative Professional

Build professional identity, relationships and systems for growth.

Block D—Teaching What Matters: Building CTE that Tackles Industry Needs

Refine your teaching practice, use data to improve instruction and complete a classroom capstone.

Delivery format

Blocks must be completed in sequential order (A through D), as each builds on the knowledge and skills developed in the previous block.

• Blocks A and B: Two in-person training days with three to four virtual sessions.
• Blocks C and D: Fully virtual with live discussions and follow-ups.

Throughout the program, you’ll work one-on-one with your RTE for personalized guidance and support.

The Limited Occupational Specialist (LOS) pathway helps industry professionals turn their experience into classroom effectiveness. After qualifying for an LOS certificate, new teachers complete a Professional Development Plan and receive support from IDCTE’s Inspire Ready! program. Over about two years, participants work with a Regional Teacher Educator to build teaching confidence, instructional skill and professional growth. Completing the program fulfills the requirements to upgrade to a Standard or Advanced Occupational Specialist certificate.

Upcoming Training Dates

• Block A – August 4-5, 2026 (Boise)
• Block B – July 16-17, 2026 (Boise)
• Block C- June 10-11, 2026 (Virtual)

Contact Megan Petersen for questions. More registration information to come.

Need More Information?

Lisa Costa
Director of Professional Development
208.429.5519

Molly Wolk
Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator
208.429.5531

Megan Petersen
Professional Development Coordinator 208.429.5545