Our Story
CollabED is a free professional home for K-12 educators, built by teachers and run by volunteers. Here is why we exist, who we serve and what makes us different.
Why CollabED?
Research consistently shows that when teachers have access to collaborative peer communities, instruction improves, burnout decreases, and educators stay in the profession longer. CollabED exists to make that kind of support free and accessible to every educator.
See Our Impact →Welcome to CollabED. One year, built by educators.
What Is CollabED?
CollabED is a free educator collaboration platform built by K-12 teachers for K-12 teachers. As a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we bring together community, professional development, mentorship, classroom resources, and wellbeing support in one place, at no cost, ever. There are no paywalls, no premium tiers, and no hidden fees.
More than 180 educators across 30 states and 15+ countries use CollabED to reduce professional isolation, build peer mentorship relationships, and access quality professional development without paying out of pocket. The organization runs on volunteer labor, which is how everything we build stays free.
Who CollabED Is For
CollabED is built for educators at every stage of a career: classroom teachers, instructional coaches, department chairs, school administrators, substitutes, and education students. Whether you are a first-year teacher looking for a mentor or a veteran educator who wants to share what you know, there is a place for you here.
We serve educators across grade levels and subject areas, from early childhood through high school, in public, charter, and independent schools. Most of our members teach in the United States, and educators from other countries are welcome too.
How CollabED Is Different
Most well known professional development platforms are content first. They publish articles, curate lesson plans, and host webinars. That is useful, but it is something you consume alone. CollabED is built around connection, because the most valuable professional development a teacher can get usually comes from another educator who has already solved the same problem.
Everything here is built and run by working educators. That is why it stays free, and why it stays practical.
Our Impact
In Their Words
What Educators Say
"CollabED provides another layer of support that keeps the focus where it belongs: on students."
"CollabED gave me a deeper sense of purpose by showing me the power of connection, collaboration, and shared learning. It allowed me to combine my passion for education and communication while helping create a space where educators feel supported, valued, and less alone."
"CollabED can help teachers save time by providing practical, research-based strategies and ready-to-use classroom resources."
"CollabED gave me a place to put my background in teacher development and curriculum design to work, using critical and creative thinking to create and share PD courses with other educators."
"CollabED has connected me with like-minded individuals who share my passion for supporting the future of education."
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The things educators ask us most.
Is CollabED Really Free?
Yes. CollabED is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and every platform is completely free for educators. There are no paywalls, no premium tiers, and no hidden fees. The organization runs on volunteer labor and donations.
Who Can Join CollabED?
Any K-12 educator is welcome: classroom teachers, instructional coaches, department chairs, school administrators, substitutes, support staff, and education students. Most members teach in the United States, and educators from other countries are welcome too. There is no application and no fee.
How Is CollabED Different From Edutopia Or SimpleK12?
CollabED is a peer community and collaboration platform, not a content publisher. We exist so educators can connect with each other, find mentors, and build professional relationships, not just read articles. Everything is built by educators, for educators, and runs entirely on volunteer labor.
How Many Educators Use CollabED?
More than 180 members across 30 states and 15+ countries, growing through word of mouth and educator referrals.
What Do I Get When I Create An Account?
One free account unlocks every CollabED platform: EngagED for community, ElevatED for self-paced courses, MentorED for mentorship, StackED for classroom resources, ThriveED for educator wellbeing, GatherED for live gatherings, EmergED for new and student teachers, and My CollabED as your personal dashboard.
Do I Need To Be Tech-Savvy To Use CollabED?
Not at all. CollabED is designed to be simple and accessible for educators at any comfort level with technology, and the help desk is there if you get stuck.
Does CollabED Offer Free Professional Development?
Yes. ElevatED hosts self-paced professional development courses built by educators for real classrooms, and GatherED runs live sessions and webinars. Both are free.
No trials, no credit cards, no catch. CollabED is a nonprofit built by teachers who believe every educator deserves a professional home. Join in 30 seconds.
Create Your Free AccountName, email, password. That's it.