Recently, I had an experience that reminded me just how often teachers are asked to adapt, accommodate, and adjust—all while their own needs are overlooked.

I arrived early at a school to coach a couple of preschool teachers. The school clerk invited me to wait in the classroom until the teacher arrived, but I respectfully declined. Walking into your space on a Monday morning to find a coach already occupying it? That’s not the welcome any teacher deserves before they’ve even had time to take off their coat or get settled.

Later, after observing the morning session, I kept our debrief quick. I knew this teacher only had a short prep period before grabbing a quick lunch and gearing up for the afternoon class. For my next classroom visit, I told the afternoon teacher to finish her lunch and that we’d spend just 10 minutes checking in before the children arrived. The visible relief on her face said it all—that small act of respect gave her space to prioritize herself without sacrificing her readiness for the day.

These moments were a powerful reminder of a harsh truth: teachers are often expected to bend over backward to accommodate professional development, coaching, and schedule changes, yet their personal and professional needs are often sidelined. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

As directors, you hold the key to creating meaningful professional learning experiences while respecting your teachers’ time and energy. Here are five strategies to help you maximize professional development without adding undue pressure to your team.

1. Prioritize Thoughtful Scheduling

Scheduling professional development isn’t just about finding a time slot—it’s about making sure the timing works for everyone involved. Teachers already juggle tight schedules full of lesson planning, parent communication, classroom management, and more. Poorly timed PD sessions can disrupt their flow, leaving them frustrated and less likely to engage.

What to do:

• Schedule workshops, coaching, or training during natural breaks, such as in-service days or early release afternoons, instead of peak teaching hours.

• Provide teachers with advance notice so they can plan for tasks like lesson prep or assessments.

• Rotate meeting times so the same group of teachers isn’t always burdened.

When you prioritize thoughtful scheduling, you respect teachers’ time while setting the stage for meaningful, focused learning.

2. Minimize Interruptions to Classroom Routines

Consistency is critical for both teachers and children. Disrupting classroom routines for PD sessions can throw off the entire day—not just for the teacher but for the children who depend on those routines for a sense of stability.

Professional learning should integrate seamlessly into the school day, minimizing disruptions and allowing teachers to maintain their classroom flow. For instance, coaching sessions or observations can be scheduled around classroom routines like nap time or outdoor play.

What to do:

• Plan observations and coaching sessions during non-instructional times to avoid distractions.

• Keep sessions concise and focused, delivering impactful content in the shortest time possible.

• Offer flexible observation windows, allowing teachers to choose times that work best for them.

When you align professional development with existing routines, you support both teacher and child success while minimizing unnecessary stress.

3. Build in Time for Reflection and Recharge

Teachers rarely have time to reflect on what they’ve learned or recharge after a training session. Between running classrooms, meeting deadlines, and addressing families’ needs, there’s often no space left for processing or planning. But without time to reflect, professional development can quickly become just another task to check off the list.

Reflection and recharging are crucial to helping teachers internalize what they’ve learned and translate it into actionable strategies. As a leader, it’s your job to ensure that space exists—even after the session is over.

What to do:

• Plan follow-up time: After a PD session, schedule a quiet hour for teachers to process what they’ve learned, either individually or in small groups.

• Provide reflection tools: Offer resources like journaling prompts or action-planning templates to help teachers connect new knowledge to their classrooms.

• Ease transitions: After training, avoid piling on extra meetings or tasks. Give teachers the space to focus on implementing their learning at their own pace.

• Schedule check-ins: A week or two after the session, hold brief one-on-one or team meetings to discuss successes, challenges, and next steps.

For example, after a session on classroom management, you might provide teachers with an afternoon to brainstorm ideas with their peers. Follow up later to check on progress, offering support where needed. This approach not only boosts confidence but ensures professional learning leads to real change.

4. Provide Practical, Actionable Professional Development

One of the biggest frustrations teachers share about PD is that it often feels disconnected from their daily realities. They’re inundated with theory but leave without practical tools to apply in their classrooms. For professional learning to resonate, it must be relevant, actionable, and directly tied to their challenges.

What to do:

• Start with a needs assessment: Survey teachers to identify areas where they want support. Whether it’s classroom management, differentiated instruction, or family engagement, focus on what they need most.

• Deliver actionable strategies: Avoid overwhelming teachers with abstract ideas. Instead, focus on practical solutions like creating behavior plans, setting up engaging learning centers, or improving parent communication.

• Support follow-up: Professional development shouldn’t end with the session. Provide teachers with resources, coaching, or time to collaborate with peers to reinforce what they’ve learned.

When teachers see PD as a tool for addressing their unique challenges, they’ll be more engaged and motivated to apply what they’ve learned.

5. Foster a Culture of Respect and Support

The best professional learning happens in a culture where teachers feel valued and supported. When leaders create an environment built on trust and mutual respect, teachers are more willing to embrace new ideas and grow in their practice.

Respect and support go beyond training days. It’s about creating a consistent culture where teachers feel safe to share their challenges, appreciated for their efforts, and empowered to succeed.

What to do:

• Involve teachers in planning: Ask for input on PD topics and schedules. When teachers have a say, they feel more invested in the process.

• Show appreciation: Small gestures like handwritten thank-you notes, snacks during training, or public recognition during staff meetings can make a big impact.

• Encourage open dialogue: Create spaces where teachers can share their successes and struggles without fear of judgment.

A culture of respect strengthens your team, improves morale, and ensures professional development is seen as a meaningful opportunity rather than just another obligation.

The Big Picture: Intentionality Creates Lasting Impact

At the core of every professional development effort is a simple truth: teachers are people first. When their time, energy, and well-being are respected, professional learning becomes more effective and impactful. As a leader, your job isn’t just to offer opportunities for growth—it’s to create an environment where those opportunities are meaningful and sustainable.

If you’re ready to take your professional development planning to the next level, join us for the Winning Beyond the Workshop Masterclass. This session is packed with strategies to design PD experiences that inspire, empower, and create real change in your program.

Let’s make 2025 the year we stop doing more and start doing what matters. Sign up for the Winning Beyond the Workshop Masterclass today and learn how to support your team with intentionality and purpose!