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00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership advice to help you lead your school community.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 Brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 where together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:19 Now here's your host, Adam Bush. Hello and happy Tuesday, everyone.
00:00:19 --> 00:00:23 Welcome to another episode of Your Morning Boost. We are continuing this wonderful
00:00:23 --> 00:00:27 conversation this week with our special guest, Aaron King, the founder of Inspired
00:00:27 --> 00:00:31 Education, and the host of the Teacher's Pep Rally Podcast. Welcome back, Erin.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:35 Excited to be here. Speaking of great podcasts, a friend of mine,
00:00:35 --> 00:00:37 Dr. Lisa Hill, has a fantastic show.
00:00:37 --> 00:00:41 You should check this out if you haven't done so already. It's called Vice Principal an Office.
00:00:41 --> 00:00:45 It's a really funny podcast. She has tons of stories about the ups and,
00:00:45 --> 00:00:48 of course, sometimes hilarious downs of school leadership.
00:00:49 --> 00:00:53 It's definitely worth a listen. Today, Erin, you are talking to us about making
00:00:53 --> 00:00:54 professional development unique.
00:00:55 --> 00:00:59 Tell us more. Good morning. Today, we're unpacking the power of professional
00:00:59 --> 00:01:03 development, not as a checkbox or compliance measure, but as a transformative
00:01:03 --> 00:01:07 tool for retaining great educators and re-energizing school communities.
00:01:11 --> 00:01:14 Whether you're an assistant principal, curriculum coordinator,
00:01:14 --> 00:01:19 or district leader, this boost in conversation is designed to help you rethink
00:01:19 --> 00:01:24 how PD can become the most inspiring part of your staff's year, not the most draining.
00:01:24 --> 00:01:28 Let's start with a hard truth. Too many educators lead professional development
00:01:28 --> 00:01:33 sessions feeling uninspired, unseen, and unempowered.
00:01:33 --> 00:01:37 And if PD is meant to fuel teacher growth, then we're wasting more than time.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 We're wasting potential.
00:01:39 --> 00:01:42 The best PD isn't about seat time, it's about soul time.
00:01:43 --> 00:01:46 It's not just what we learn, it's how we feel while learning it.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:50 So what are the ingredients of professional development that actually works?
00:01:50 --> 00:01:55 First, relevance. Whether you're planning a district-wide training or a faculty
00:01:55 --> 00:02:00 meeting, ask, can each person in this room see themselves in what we're doing today?
00:02:00 --> 00:02:03 This means we need to customize PD when possible.
00:02:03 --> 00:02:08 Cluster those K-12 staff differently, even the higher education.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:13 Sometimes create breakouts for new teachers and veterans, and yes,
00:02:13 --> 00:02:19 include specialists, support staff, paraprofessionals, and ways that reflect their value.
00:02:20 --> 00:02:25 Second, interaction. Great PD doesn't happen when someone clicks through slides.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:30 It happens when teachers talk, laugh, reflect, and build something together.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:35 Embedded structure time for discussion, experimentation, and hands-on application.
00:02:36 --> 00:02:38 Don't save Q&A for the end. Make it the center.
00:02:39 --> 00:02:41 Invite conversation as a tool for reflection.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:46 Third, energy. It's amazing how far a little joy can go.
00:02:47 --> 00:02:51 Movement, music, icebreakers that don't feel forced.
00:02:51 --> 00:02:55 Even five minutes of laughter can change the emotional temperature of the room.
00:02:55 --> 00:02:59 And that matters because emotions impact memory and motivation.
00:03:00 --> 00:03:03 Fourth, sustainability. Before you introduce a new framework or strategy,
00:03:04 --> 00:03:09 ask yourself, what will this look like in two weeks? How will we support implementation?
00:03:09 --> 00:03:12 What will need to come off their plates to make room for this?
00:03:12 --> 00:03:18 The best PD considers the workload and offers flexible, iterative ways to integrate
00:03:18 --> 00:03:19 learning into practice.
00:03:19 --> 00:03:23 And fifth, empowerment. Give educators voice and choice.
00:03:23 --> 00:03:27 Let them present, share, and design. If someone on your team has a strength,
00:03:28 --> 00:03:30 put them in front. Trust teachers to lead teachers.
00:03:31 --> 00:03:35 Here are three strategies you can implement right now. Audit your PD days.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 Bring a third party in to evaluate.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:42 Ask staff anonymously what works, what doesn't, and what they want more of.
00:03:43 --> 00:03:46 Build in time to try, whether it's 10 minutes or 60.
00:03:46 --> 00:03:49 Let participants apply what they've learned before they leave.
00:03:49 --> 00:03:54 And lastly, celebrate every voice. From your newest para to your 25-year veteran,
00:03:54 --> 00:03:58 every staff member should feel their role is valued and essential.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:02 Professional development should be more than a moment. It should be a movement,
00:04:02 --> 00:04:06 one that fuels retention, reaffirms purpose, and reminds educators why they
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 fell in love with teaching in the first place.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:16 Let's lead our teams with purpose, empathy, and creativity, because when we
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 grow our teachers, we grow everything.
00:04:18 --> 00:04:22 That is your Morning Boost for today. I hope it fills you with inspiration and
00:04:22 --> 00:04:25 hope, and I look forward to the conversation tomorrow.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:29 And a sincere thanks to Aaron for joining us this entire week.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:31 I'm really excited to see what tomorrow brings.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:34 Boosters, thank you for listening. We will talk with you again tomorrow.
00:04:34 --> 00:04:39 You have been listening to your Morning Boost by AWB Education in partnership
00:04:39 --> 00:04:40 with Grundmeyer Leader Services.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:45 You can find out more about our services by clicking on the links in the description.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:50 Remember, you are doing this vital job that only a few can do.
00:04:51 --> 00:04:55 So until next time, thank you for your service to your community.