About Us
Welcome to National Professional Resources (NPR), a leading provider of professional development resources for educators. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, NPR is transforming how educators’ access and engage with professional development content. Our laminated, quick-reference guides and books— empower teachers, administrators, and school staff to stay ahead in an ever-evolving educational landscape. Our resources are designed to be practical, accessible, and impactful, helping educators implement evidence-based strategies that enhance student outcomes and foster inclusive learning environments.
Our History and Evolution
Founded over 50 years ago by career educators Bob and Helene Hanson, NPR began as a family-owned business dedicated to advancing the success of all learners by supporting the educators who serve them. What started as a passion project has grown into a trusted name in educational publishing, providing high-quality, current information tailored to the needs of today's classrooms. While our early offerings included VHS tapes, books, and manuals, the product line that has propelled NPR into the future is our laminated quick-reference guides.
Bob & Helene Hanson
In a significant milestone, JeL Sales & Marketing and owner Jason Scerbo, acquired National Professional Resources, infusing the company with fresh energy while preserving its legacy of excellence. This acquisition brings together JeL's 25+ years in publishing and NPR's 50 years of education experience, positioning NPR to expand our reach and impact even further. Under this new ownership, NPR continues to innovate. Since the acquisition, there have been many new strategic partnerships that have begun with the new direction of NPR. Expanding into new and emerging markets in addition to producing custom publications for individuals, companies, and organizations shows the high demand for our high-quality, laminated reference guides.
Our Esteemed Authors
At the heart of NPR's offerings are partnerships with some of the most respected thought leaders in education. These experts bring deep insights and practical guidance to our resources, covering topics like special education, multilingual learners, social-emotional learning (SEL), trauma-informed practices, mental health, AI, inclusion, and more. Some of our top authors include:
- Marilyn Friend, PhD: With experience as both a general and special education teacher, Dr. Friend is renowned for her expertise in co-teaching and collaboration, helping educators build effective partnerships.
- Marc Brackett, PhD: A pioneer in SEL, Dr. Brackett's work focuses on integrating emotional intelligence into schools to create supportive environments for students and staff.
- Toby Karten: An educator who has instructed learners in the field of special education with diversified experience includes being a staff developer, mentor, resource and inclusion teacher.
- Paula Kluth, EdD: An advocate for inclusive education, Dr. Kluth is a consultant, author, and scholar whose resources emphasize universal design for learning and supporting diverse learners.
These authors, among others, ensure that our content is not only authoritative but also actionable, drawing from real-world experience to drive meaningful change.
Our Signature Products: Laminated Reference Guides
One of NPR's flagship offerings is our line of laminated reference guides, widely recognized as the #1 choice for educator professional development. These durable, quick-reference tools are designed for busy professionals who need reliable information at their fingertips. With high-quality printing, sealed in lamination, each guide folds out to provide concise overviews, step-by-step strategies, checklists, and best practices on key topics such as Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), co-teaching, Section 504 accommodations, and English/Multilingual Learners (ELs/MLs) and many more.
What sets our laminated guides apart:
- Portability and Durability: Easy to carry and resistant to wear, they're perfect for daily use in classrooms, meetings, or professional learning communities.
- Practical Content: Each guide distills complex concepts and evidence-based research into digestible formats, with visuals, examples, and tips that can be implemented immediately.
- Wide Range of Topics: From special education and SEL to classroom management and equity, our guides cover essential areas to support diverse educator needs.
- Affordability: Priced accessibly (often around $14.95), they make high-quality PD available to individuals and schools alike.
In addition to our standard offerings, National Professional Resources specializes in custom-branded guides. Whether using your content or ours, we can create personalized laminated reference guides tailored to your specific needs. This service allows schools, districts, or organizations to incorporate their branding, unique strategies, or proprietary information into durable, high-quality formats that align perfectly with your professional development goals.
Whether you're a new teacher seeking foundational knowledge or a veteran educator looking for fresh ideas, our laminated guides are an indispensable resource for ongoing growth.
At National Professional Resources, we believe that empowered educators create empowered learners. Join us in this mission as we continue to lead the way in professional development for the education community. For more information, contact us at 1-800-453-7461 or visit our products page.