-by Dr. Tim Grivois, Executive Director
Some people think that I’m lucky because I hear from school leaders and teachers all the time that they look forward to my training. I’ve even had teachers tell me they rescheduled dental appointments or travel plans to attend sessions!
And while I do feel fortunate to have such positive feedback from outstanding educators, luck isn’t why my sessions work. If you’re responsible for leading professional development for teachers, here are some of the most important tips I can give:
- Never waste anyone’s time: If teachers must be in a room with me, I must ensure that our time together is valuable. Often, I’m one of many options, and teachers choose to be in my sessions. However, sometimes teachers are required to take my sessions and might not have a clear reason why they should engage. It’s my job to think about each learner, their work environment, and their unique goals as learners.
- Surprise and delight: Before each session, I always consider how I might surprise and delight my participants. I’ve raffled off houseplants, played games, held fidget toy contests, and even took learners outside for #ADHD Scavenger Hunts. Novelty is engaging, especially when most teachers’ expectations for PD are very low.
- Bring back exit survey feedback to each session: I like to start each session by sharing feedback from the previous session’s exit surveys. Of course, I omit names and balance warm and cool responses. My goal here is to ensure that participants feel heard and can see that I am adjusting the learning based on their feedback. I also want them to know I genuinely read what they share.
If you’re not already using these tips, try those three “PD Hacks”! I bet you’ll see a much more engaged group of learners!