We’ve talked a lot about what doesn’t work in professional development (PD)—long, one-size-fits-all sessions that are hard to attend, harder to apply, and often forgotten the next day.In my last post, Facilitating Impactful Professional Development for K–12 Teachers, we looked at why it’s time to rethink PD altogether.Today, I want to talk directly to the school leaders, coaches, and decision-makers who are trying to do just that.
How School Leaders Can Deliver PD Teachers Actually Need (and Want) If you want to support your teachers with meaningful PD this year (without burning them out), this is for you.Teachers Want Choice—And That’s a Good Thing Let’s start here: choice is not a luxury in PD—it’s a necessity.Every teacher is at a different place in their journey, facing different challenges, with different time and energy limits.
Giving them voice and choice in their professional learning empowers them to grow in ways that are actually relevant.That’s why the best PD happens when teachers can: Pick a topic that matters to them Choose their own learning modality–audio, video, text, etc.Learn when and how it fits their schedule Go at their own pace—and revisit as needed This isn’t just theory—it’s what we’ve seen again and again inside our ALL ACCESS Membership, where on-demand courses, mini-trainings, and downloadable resources give teachers exactly that kind of flexibility.
Why Online, On-Demand PD Works So Well We all know how hard it is to carve out time during the school day for PD that isn’t rushed or disruptive.That’s why online, self-paced PD has become a game-changer.When teachers can watch a 20-minute training during their planning period, revisit a video over lunch, or knock out a session from home in their yoga pants—they’re more likely to engage, retain, and actually apply what they learn.
Plus, they can pause, reflect, and implement without the pressure of keeping up with the room.Inside ALL ACCESS, teachers love the mix of short courses, video tutorials, and downloadable cheat sheets and resources.Whether they’re exploring AI tools, Google Workspace, or strategies for saving time, they’re getting just enough content to make a difference—without the overwhelm.
*Related: FREE Summer Learning Series (Save Your Seat!) Relevant Book Studies = PD That Sticks One of the most popular ways we’ve deepened learning in ALL ACCESS is through our guided book studies.These aren’t just “read on your own” assignments—these are fully supported experiences with: Community discussion and reflections Practical application PD certificates Our upcoming book study on The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt (starting June 11) is a timely, must-have resource for educators navigating student mental health and screen time challenges.This is the kind of PD teachers talk about long after it’s over—because it’s personal, practical, and powerful.
Give Teachers Tools That Work Right Now Let’s talk about cheat sheets and bite-sized learning.These two things are the MVPs of teacher PD.Why? Because when time is short (and when is it not?), teachers need tools they can use immediately.
Our members consistently tell us how much they rely on: One-page AI cheat sheets End-of-Year checklists Practical templates and examples PD that’s clear, to the point, and ready to use This is what makes a resource feel like a lifeline instead of another task.It respects their time and builds confidence quickly.*Related: AI Prompt Cheat Sheet for PD Facilitators, K12 Staff Development Leaders, and Trainers Classroom Management Needs Support—Now Here’s one thing I’m hearing loud and clear from schools everywhere: Teachers are struggling with classroom management, and it’s not because they’re doing something wrong—it’s because the needs have changed.
Today’s classrooms are more complex than ever, and teachers need updated, realistic strategies to stay in control without burning out.That’s why I created my brand-new book, AI for Classroom Management—to show how technology can help with planning routines, parent communication, and behavior documentation, all while lightening the mental load.This book (and all the support that goes with it) is included in ALL ACCESS, and it’s already helping teachers feel more equipped heading into a new year.
*Related: 5 Ways AI Can Make Classroom Management Easier for Teachers So What Does This Look Like for Schools? It looks like…principals giving their staff access to a professional platform they can use anytime.It looks like…instructional coaches embedding microlearning into PLCs.It looks like…teachers feeling supported—not swamped—by their professional learning needs.
And yes, it looks like fewer groans and more growth.Want to Make This Happen? If you’re ready to bring flexible, practical, and meaningful PD to your team, the ALL ACCESS Membership for Schools was made for this.It includes everything mentioned in this article—and so much more.
️ The Summer Learning Series (20 sessions, ad-free, with PD certificates and bonus sessions) 75+ Hours of PD on demand with credit certificates Book studies AI for Classroom Management book by Kasey Bell Cheat sheets, templates, guides, and back-to-school tools Private community and full support Learn more or request a quote here: ShakeUpLearning.com/purchase-order Let’s give our teachers the PD they actually want—and the support they truly deserve.Shake Up Learning 2025.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
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