Certifications – they don’t just look good on your resume. They also help enhance your district’s capacity to embrace and implement innovative technology strategies.

So, should your district pick up the tab for your certifications? We’ll discuss that and more on this week’s Be Connected, where we’ll explore the strategic value of IT certifications in the K-12 space – especially moving beyond simple resume padding to professional development that actually impacts district operations.

We’ll compare the foundational “big three” paths—CompTIA for vendor-neutral security, Cisco for network infrastructure, and Microsoft/Google for cloud ecosystem mastery—while also highlighting education-specific credentials like the CETL (Certified Education Technology Leader).

Join us to share your thoughts on districts financially supporting tech certifications and how to prioritize high-value certs like the CISSP or Security+ in your 2026 budget.

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Be Connected is a virtual networking series designed to spark meaningful conversations and collaboration within Illinois’ K–12 technology community.

Hosted by the LTC’s Technology Services team, each free session centers around a different relevant topic, ranging from infrastructure planning and cybersecurity to emerging tools, networking strategies, and day-to-day IT challenges. These informal yet purposeful sessions offer a relaxed and supportive environment where participants can ask questions, share experiences, and learn from one another.

Explore upcoming session topics: https://www.ltcillinois.org/services/beconnected/