Testimonials

Sara Angeloff

“My experience with PLS has been very positive. The structure of the class was easy to follow. While it was challenging, the pace of the course and the instructors were extremely helpful in helping you navigate assignments. The content taught was able to be applied within my own classroom in real-time and it was very helpful to help me learn and grow as a teacher!”

Heather Koss

“The instructor was excellent! She was always available to answer any questions and provided meaningful and timely feedback to all discussions and assignments. I felt that she really wanted us to learn and do well.”

Adam Smith

“In the course, Instructional Design for Online Educators™, I liked how practical the assignments were and that I could create something that I will be able to use in my classes in the fall. I also enjoyed the weekly discussion topics—the ability to work through a curriculum in chunks was insightful. I also enjoyed learning through the experiences and comments from other educators.”

Amber Frazier

“I’ve been teaching at the elementary level for 10 years. I am currently a 3rd grade teacher. I’ve taken two PLS Classes and have been amazed at the ease of completing one of these courses, while balancing a full-time teaching position (and being a full time mommy at home!). The instructor Jim Brinling is truly a gem! He is so respectful, flexible, and knowledgeable! You will learn so many incredible skills that you will literally be able to apply immediately in your own teaching! I look forward to taking more classes and furthering my professional development.”

Rachael C.

“PLS courses allow educators opportunities to engage with other educators. The courses allow for hands on and collaborative experiences that can be used in the classroom and shared with colleagues.”

Favorite Class: Designing Motivation for All Learners®

Amber Schrage

“PLS Classes were exactly what I needed. During the pandemic, it was a wonderful opportunity to engage with other educators around the world and create new things together. The teacher was incredible engaging and interactive, always providing feedback! I look forward to my next PLS Class!”

Candace Bard

“I have learned so much by taking PLS Classes. The strategies I learn, I’m able to incorporate into the classroom the very next day.”

Favorite Class: Meaningful Activities to Generate Interesting Classrooms™

Sara H.

“PLS Classes have given me the flexibility to earn two master’s degrees while learning from home. The classes are organized and presented in an easy to follow format. I would recommend these courses to all of my professional colleagues!”

Favorite Class: Successful Teaching for Acceptance of Responsibility™

Rebecca S. Grube M.S., M.A.

PLS Classes are very interactive, and each builds a rapport among instructors and participants that allows everyone to be a more effective learner.

Scott C. Davis

“I have a master’s degree and several years teaching experience but every time I take a PLS Class I learn tips and techniques that I am able to implement immediately in my classroom. I learned many things throughout my master’s program but the practical knowledge I have acquired from the PDI classes I have taken have been far more practical and useful.”

Pam M.

“PLS has given me the chance to advance my degree while also working full-time and managing a personal life. The flexibility of being able to start a class at almost anytime is great. I also enjoy being able to work at my own pace and not be restrained by a schedule. Especially when life gets in the way.”

Heather Wertman M.S.

It is very exciting to work with and watch educators “grow” throughout the classes. The participants are always full of energy, supportive, and we collaborate as a professional learning community during our time exploring the course material.

Megan Gordon

Assistant Director Off-Site Graduate Programs

TCNJ’s Off-Site Graduate Programs (OSGP) is grateful for the relationship we have formed with PLS over the course of many years. A PLS class is required as part of almost every OSGP academic program and we have consistently remarked on our students’ high completion rate for PLS classes; 95% of students who start a PLS class finish on schedule. Additionally, our students speak highly of their PLS experiences, frequently noting the quality of the reading classes and how the foundations of reading are taught systematically, Finally, we appreciate how PLS classes are designed in a way that serve our international students who are living and working all over the world. Although asynchronous, students frequently comment on the sense of community formed within their PLS classes and express that they know one another before actually sitting together in a classroom at one of our global sites. PLS has helped to make the world a more personal place for our global students and we are proud of this continued partnership.

Ellen Mingle

“PLS courses have changed my way of teaching. I have learned new strategies and applied them directly into the classroom. Not only am I getting new ideas from the course, but interacting with classmates during discussions have been very beneficial as well. The courses are very manageable.”

Doug R.

“I have much more of an understanding how to to teach ELL students. I started with very little knowledge on the topic so this has helped with strategies that I can employ. My understanding has changed because I was able to read about and discuss different topics that I had learned before but at a more in depth level.”

Reginald Tabron

“My instructor Mr. Michael Hands was an excellent instructor and made the course very useful and meaningful.”

Patricia M. Larson M.A.

I love teaching PLS Classes because they are so real. What I teach can be immediately applied in any classroom, and the teacher who uses these strategies will see immediate results.

Jordan J.

“PLS Classes provided a meaningful educational experience that I could immediately implement into my classroom practices as an educator. The self-paced courses allowed me to easily work around my busy schedule as a teacher!”

Favorite Class: Building a Professional Network™

Judy Lalli M.S.

PLS Classes have dramatically changed my own teaching style. Almost daily, I will have an “Aha!” moment when I realized I had used a skill that I had learned in a PLS Class. I love teaching PLS Classes because I love sharing the philosophy and practical techniques of the courses with other teachers.

Jessica Woloszyk

“I have taken 9 PLS Classes so far. I enjoy the online courses that I can take over the summer. They are fast paced, but allow me the flexibility to learn when I am available. I would recommend PLS to anyone who is looking to gain knowledge in education.”

Lisa Martineaus

“The instructors were intelligent, interesting, and kind. The classes were well-organized, and I have used a great deal in the classroom.”

Shawn Robbins M.S.

My favorite PLS Classes teaching moments include those when participants get excited about what they are learning and communicate this excitement with each other. The “passion” seems to grow when they help each other apply their new learning to their everyday practice.

Stephanie Kind M.S.

After taking my first PLS Class in the mid-90s, I discovered how all of the classes are the epitome of relevancy. I love sharing these ideas and strategies with educators who, like me, appreciate being able to immediately use what we’ve learned from the class and each other.

Amy M.

“I highly recommend PLS Classes! Overall it was a fantastic learning experience that provided me with tools and resources I can use in my classroom. The online interaction with other participants was engaging and purposeful. The course format was well organized and meaningful!”

Favorite Class: Facilitating Online Learning Communities™

Dawn Plestina

“PLS Classes have fit my needs as an educator with their various content and engaging instructors. The curricula lends itself to be used immediately in the classroom, and the instructors encourage us (their students) to apply what we have learned with our students.”

Dane Cornelius

“PLS Classes made it possible for me to juggle my personal and professional lives while earning my master’s degree. With relevant topics in each course, I was constantly improving my practice by using the skills I was learning in my own classroom.”

Favorite Class: Essential Classroom Strategies™

Jen Jones

“My instructor, Darlene Volchansky, asked thought provoking questions in the discussions, provide great feedback in a timely manner and she did a good job building a good rapport with the students and creating a positive online learning experience.”

Jessica Pilgreen Ed.D.

I love the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other educators from across the country. By working with teachers from different grade levels and subject areas, I’m always learning something new! The PLS community is all about working together and supporting teachers.

Rebecca G.

“PLS Classes have been the most useful professional development I have experienced throughout my career — and I’ve had plenty of opportunities through other programs. These courses provide instructional strategies, resources, and frameworks which you can immediately apply to your classroom. The coursework helps guide you through the process of creating lessons, projects, and activities for your own curriculum. If you want an effective and concise PD that is affordable, PLS is the way to go!”

Favorite Class: Differentiated Instruction for Today’s Classroom™

Kim Girouard

“The instructors at PLS get to know you personally and take the time to help you if you need assistance. They are great for continuing education because what you learn you can utilize right away.”

Favorite Class: Reading Across the Curriculum™

Elie Salchak

“PLS Classes offer a variety of courses. The content is relevant and easy to implement in your classroom. The format is very manageable to teachers working full-time. I enjoyed the professors and working with other highly qualified teachers. Highly recommended!”

Favorite Class: Differentiated Instruction for Today’s Classroom™

Tony Hembrock, MEd

Assistant Director, Licensing and EPP Reporting School of Educational Leadership

“Developing students in character, scholarship and leadership are at the heart of Indiana Wesleyan University’s (IWU) mission. Our ability to carry out this mission has been enhanced by our long-term partnership with PLS Classes. Educators from around the state have grown personally and professionally by participating in PLS courses and gaining experience that is relevant, timely, and practical in today’s classrooms. IWU is proud to partner with PLS to equip educators for success.”

Ronalyn “Roz” Bingaman M.Ed.

I love to help students think outside the box. I like to show them that it’s not just about music or math or physical ed – it is about giving students life skills they will use for the rest of their lives.

Kimberly Jensen

“My PLS instructor, Jim Brinling, was very flexible in working with me to adapt the content and assignments to my position as a school counselor.”

Darlene Volchansky M. Ed.

Teaching PLS Classes is both exciting and rewarding as I watch other professionals – beginning teachers and veterans – experience epiphanies about their own classrooms.

Amanda Starner

“PLS Classes have allowed me to gain knowledge that can applied directly to my classroom. With their flexible schedules and variety of learning options, I am able to fit it into my busy schedule while continuing to advance professionally.”

Favorite Class: Meaningful Activities to Generate Interesting Classrooms™

Sara T.

“PLS is a great way to extend our knowledge as educators in order to provide our students with the best education possible!”

Laura Mackenthun M.A.

PLS Classes offer a great opportunity to work at one’s own pace, work with others, and learn from a great program. Each class provides a multitude of opportunities to grow professionally for both the participants and for myself as an instructor!

Tammy Moglia

“Once you take one class, you are sure to take another. They are so wonderful, helpful, and useful to any educator, no matter how many years you have been teaching. I learn so much from each one.”

Dr. Chuck Sengstock

Director Continuing Education and Professional Development School of Education

Drake University has partnered with PLS 3rd Learning since the 1970’s when PLS 3rd Learning courses were used to develop the School of Educations first master’s degree. Since then, we have worked collaboratively to offer face-to-face and online courses to tens of thousands of educators across Iowa and the world. PLS courses are developed and facilitated by expert educators and provide our students with immediately applicable content. We are proud to say we partner with PLS Classes and believe with their courses, we are making a difference in the lives of teachers and their students.

Devin G.

“PLS offers courses that you are able to apply the skills and strategies learned directly to your own classroom. The instructors are friendly, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. I look forward to taking more courses with PLS!”

Debbie B.

“PLS Classes are a fun engaging way to expand your knowledge as well as share your experiences. The instructors are organized and stimulating. There is timely feedback on assignments and my instructor was easily accessible to answer questions or offer guidance.”

Favorite Class: Meaningful Activities to Generate Interesting Classrooms™

Alyssa B.

“PLS made it possible for me to complete coursework for my masters program while teaching full-time. I had a collegial online cohort. We supported each other and learned from each other throughout. I enjoyed learning this way.”

Dr. Amy Burniston

Chair, Grad Secondary Ed

“Mercyhurst University could not be more proud of our established relationship with PLS Classes. Our overarching mission within Mercyhurst’s Education Department is to promote effective classroom practice and by extension, provide the next generation of students authentic and engaging educational experiences. PLS is proving to be the exact avenue to evoke that mission. The courses are truly a, “learn it today, use it tomorrow” approach that dovetails perfectly with our programs, our educators, and our university.”

Jennifer Osorio

“Kathy Holloway is amazing. I am not sure if I would take as many classes as I have taken if it weren’t for her!”

Destiny B.

“PLS has made me a better educator (and even a better parent). I literally use skills from my PLS Classes every day as a teacher. They are some of the best classes I’ve ever taken.”

Favorite Class: Successful Teaching for Acceptance of Responsibility™

Alice Houck M.Ed.

A highlight of several of my PLS Classes has been the enrollment of participants from all over the world, including the Dominican Republic, Cairo, Egypt, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Andrew Walker

“PLS Classes are affordable and offer excellent content that can be used every day in the classroom.”

Tiffanie Garman

“I am very thankful that through PLS I was given the opportunity to learn from some of the top educators in our area. The assessment course really challenged my thinking and I have been able to implement what I learned in my classroom and slowly explaining to my colleagues what I learned. It is incredible to see the way they look at me when I challenge their grading based on what I learned. It was been a wonderful change and has been well received. I am even fortunate that my professor from almost 2 years ago still is okay with us emailing him when we have a question about something.”

Mindy Lower M.A.

My favorite moment in teaching is when I see students become excited and passionate about their learning. To be a part of that process as both a retired classroom teacher and PLS Classes instructor is an honor.

Dr. Karim Medico

Associate Professor/Chair

“Our curricular collaboration with PLS over the years has proven to be a true strength of our master’s programming. Together, we provide varied expertise, united expectations for excellence, and a commitment to student learning that is at the forefront of our work. Not only do we value our existing partnerships, but are always seeking new ways to meet student needs with innovative programs.”

Christopher J. VonVolkenburg M.S.

Having participated in several PLS courses throughout my Master’s and Post-Master’s studies, each class offered several strategies that I found to be easily adaptable and immediately useable in my classroom. These strategies have made the greatest improvement to my teaching confidence and the overall success of my students.

Craig Henninger

“PLS Classes are taught by qualified professionals who have walked the walk as educators, and for the most part are still walking the walk. They understand what we (the teachers) do every day and they are here to help us become better. They don’t talk down to the students but rather across to us.”