Apple Education:
Train-the-Trainer Workshop for HCC VAST Academy Faculty & Staff
Our HCC Eagle Spark Train-the-Trainer workshop is designed specifically for VAST Academy faculty and staff to strengthen your ability to integrate Apple technology into instruction and student support.
This session will prepare you to become an Apple Certified Instructor, giving you the skills and confidence to train VAST students in iPad and Mac fundamentals while creating inclusive, engaging digital learning experiences.
By completing this workshop, you’ll be equipped to bring technology-driven opportunities to students in the VAST Academy, helping them build the digital skills they need for academic success, vocational certificates, career readiness, and greater independence.
What You’ll Gain as an Apple Certified Instructor:
- Expertise in Apple’s educational tools and best practices, with a focus on inclusive instruction
- The ability to train VAST students and colleagues using iPad and Mac technology
- Official Apple certification, adding value to your professional development and teaching practice
- Hands-on experience with accessibility features and creative tools such as Keynote and Pages
Important
Participants will fall under one of two categories:
- Professional Development: Attending for personal growth and classroom integration within VAST Academy
- Eagle Spark Workshop Instructor: Attending with the intention to lead future workshops and receive a stipend
More details on these options will be shared during registration.
A light breakfast, refreshments, and lunch will be provided.
This event is FREE for all VAST Academy faculty and staff!
Access code is required to register.
Apple Certified Instructors
What is an Apple Certified Instructor?
Apple Teacher is a free, self-paced professional learning program created by Apple to support educators in using iPad and Mac effectively for teaching and learning.
By completing short tutorials and passing interactive quizzes, educators build core skills and earn digital badges that demonstrate their knowledge and creativity with Apple tools.
Foundations
Earn badges for:
- Pages
- Keynote
- Numbers
- GarageBand
- iMovie
- Device-specific foundations
Earn both iPad and iMac badges to receive your official Apple Teacher recognition
Benefits of Becoming an Apple Teacher
- Build confidence using iPad or Mac for instruction
- Access ready-to-use creative lesson ideas
- Join a global community of innovative educators
- Add a recognized credential to your teaching portfolio
- Optional: Expand your learning with Apple Teacher Portfolio or Swift Playgrounds
Learn more by visiting the Apple Learning Center
Eagle Spark Instructor Track
Eagle Spark Workshop Instructor Track
This track is for faculty who intend to become certified Eagle Spark Instructors and lead hands-on creative technology workshops for the community.
By completing this track, you’ll not only expand your own creative skills, but also join a mission-driven team that brings digital tools to underserved communities through podcasting, coding, video storytelling, and more.
Benefits & Responsibilities
- Eligible for a stipend (pending available funds)
- 8 hours for attending the Train-the-Trainer
- 5 hours for each 4-hour workshop you lead (4 hours teaching + 1 hour setup)
- Lead at least one workshop within 3 months of training (time frame extensions available)
- May lead additional workshops after your first, with compensation
- Receive an HCC-issued iPad for ongoing use
- Join a supportive, creative community of instructors
Please confirm with your department chair that leading Eagle Spark workshops aligns with your approved workload hours.
Next Steps to Become an Instructor:
- Complete the Apple Teacher certification via the Apple Learning Center
(use your personal email so the certification stays with you) - Email your Apple Teacher certificate to: hcc.eaglespark@hccs.edu
- We’ll grant you access to the Eagle Spark workshop schedule to begin signing up for sessions
Professional Development Track
Professional Development Track
This track is for faculty and staff who are joining Eagle Spark training to build personal skills and explore how Apple technology can be used to support teaching and learning—without the expectation to lead public workshops.
What’s Included:
- No stipend is provided
- No additional steps or certifications required
- You’re not expected to lead an Eagle Spark session
- You may check out iPads or Apple tools to use in your classroom or role
How You Can Apply This Training:
- Integrate Pages, Keynote, GarageBand, iMovie, and Swift into your lesson plans
- Boost student creativity through media-rich projects
- Use iPads for formative assessments, journaling, or presentations
- Build confidence in your own digital skills
- Inspire your peers to explore new tech tools
