Teach for Teachers, Inc.

Yesterday, I had a great conversation with a group of colleagues about how we are measuring the effectiveness of our PD.

The truth is: we really don't know until our trainings take the information we have shared and put it into practice in their classrooms.

This is why walkthroughs, observations, and reflective conversations with program leaders matter so much. They give you real-time insight into whether PD is influencing daily practice. Not in a punitive way, but in an informative one.

When professionaldevelopment is working, teachers don’t just know more; they do things differently.

Behavior change is the bridge between learning and impact.

In this week's blog, I answer the question, "How Can I Tell If My Professional Development Is Actually Working?"

Check the link in the comments.

One of the most common and most frustrating questions I often hear from leaders is: Why aren’t my teachers doing what they've been trained to do? I

For me, the answer is usually simple: if you don’t have an implementation plan before the training, you’re relying on hope after it ends.

🤞🏽Hope that teachers remember.
🤞🏽Hope that they know where to start.
🤞🏽Hope that they feel confident enough to try.
🤞🏽Hope that it sticks.

And hope is just not a strategy.

Check out my latest blog, "I've trained the teachers, now what?"

Link in the comments.

👍🏾Workshops are great.
🚫But they are not the solution.

🟢They are the starting point.

If there’s no plan before the training happens, then there’s no follow-through after it ends.

Teachers walk away inspired... and then go right back into the same systems that didn’t support the last training either.

If you want your PD to lead to actual change in your program, you need:

✔️ Clarity on what success looks like
✔️ A plan to support implementation
✔️ Time built in for reflection, feedback, and follow-up

Otherwise, it’s just another session, and you already have enough of those 🤷🏽‍♀️.

🎯 I’m now scheduling professional development for September through November, and every session starts with a strategy call.

Let’s make your next PD count before it even begins.

📅 Schedule your planning call here: bit.ly/tftpdservices

🍿Can We Talk About Snacks and “Professionalism”?

Yesterday, I sifted through all the candy bowls on the training tables and picked out the Tootsie Rolls 🤷🏽‍♀️.

Low-key my favorite. And no one ever fights me for them because apparently, no one else eats them.

Not only did I shamelessly steal candy…
I also ate it during my presentation 😬.

Then I apologized to the group for being “so unprofessional.” The way they laughed made me feel like I was definitely being ridiculous, and the director begged me to take them all (because no one else eats them 🙃).

But in that moment, I remembered a recent conversation with some colleagues about how even sipping water or coffee during meetings is sometimes seen as unacceptable.

And I had to ask them:

When did self-care become unprofessional?
Especially during full-day trainings or meetings?

Now don’t get me wrong - context matters, and it’s always wise to read the room.

Some spaces welcome snacks and comfort (e.g. personal fans or blankets). Others are more...traditional (a.k.a. "consider wearing layers" 😂).

And that’s okay.

I’ve learned to partner with programs where I can genuinely vibe with the culture because creating an environment where people can be human and professional isn’t just more enjoyable... it’s more sustainable.

💭What are your thoughts on eating and drinking during trainings and meetings?

🍫And what’s your go-to meeting snack?

“When you didn’t raise your hand to answer Flora’s question, it felt like a gut punch.”

👀 I wasn’t expecting that.

We were on a quick break during a training when the director walked over to speak with her staff. I stuck around because I was curious to hear what she’d say. And I’m glad I did.

She was reflecting on a moment just before the break when I asked the group which teachers worked with infants, toddlers, twos, and so on.

Her floaters didn’t raise their hands.

And in that moment, she realized…
They didn’t identify with any of the classrooms because no one had made their role clear. Not even her.

It hit her hard.

But instead of letting that moment pass, she turned it into something powerful:

✅ She acknowledged the oversight
✅ She affirmed their importance
✅ She clarified their role
✅ She extended herself as a support

She didn’t scold them.
She didn’t make assumptions.
She connected.

And that moment changed the energy in the room.

That’s the kind of leadership that creates a culture where teachers want to show up.

Let me ask you this:

If you approached your team and said, “It felt like a gut punch when you didn’t raise your hands,” how would they respond?

Would they feel seen, or scolded?

If your program could use a cultural reset, we should talk.

🧸Every early childhood program deserves professional development that actually works.

Not just a training.
A strategy.
A system.
A real plan to help your team learn, apply, and grow.

✨ I offer 3 ways to work together:
✔️ Single Sessions for when you need focused support
✔️ Training Series to build momentum over time
✔️ Training + Coaching Cycles to turn PD into lasting change

If you’re planning your calendar, building your team, or just tired of one-and-done workshops that don’t move the needle—I’d love to connect.

📩 Download my flyer, save it, share it with your team. Let’s build something better together.

🥳 When I first started planning for my birthday, I had this big idea to release 39 brand-new resources.

But as I started collecting feedback (because I always start with a needs assessment 😂🤷🏽‍♀️), I realized something: the things people were asking for weren’t brand new.

They were resources I already have but never offered publicly.

So instead of building something from scratch, I decided to open the vault.

🎯 For a limited time, you can get the
WINNING BEYOND THE WORKSHOP BUNDLE
for just $39.

Inside you’ll find:
✔️ A self-guided digital workbook to help you build a sustainable, mission-driven PD system
✔️ The Ultimate PD Toolkit with 10 solid, no-fluff strategies and ready-to-use templates
✔️ The Team Spirit Booster Bundle to strengthen team connection and boost morale

These tools have already been used by real programs, real leaders, and gotten real results. Why reinvent the wheel?

This year, I'm really moving with intention and making sure whatever I put out actually makes sense.

⚠️ If you attended a conference and didn't take advantage of THAT discount, this is your last chance to get it this low because I will never be 39 again 🥴.

🎁 BONUS FOR THE FIRST 1️⃣2️⃣ ORDERS:
I’m mailing a FREE copy of my new career diary, Every Lesson Leads to Legacy 🌻, to the first 12 people who grab the $39 bundle.

This keepsake workbook is perfect for personal reflection, big ideas, and legacy-building.

‼️ You won't find the bonus on the website. I'm just in a good mood on this lovely 12th day of July.

🔗 The link is in the comments. Sale ends Monday 7/14/25 at 12:00 pm CST.

Winning Beyond the Workshop Bundle Three Powerful Tools. One Game-Changing Bundle.If you're ready to lead with intention, boost your team's growth, and finally take the guesswork out of professional development—this bundle is for you.The Winning Beyond the Workshop Bundle brings together three of our most impactful resources to hel...

So… my kids banned me from working on weekends 😭.

But the way my brain is set up, I’m always in creative mode. Like..I literally can’t turn it off.

So, to buy myself more work time, I enrolled them in activities.

While my little one is at dance class 🩰, I’m tucked away working on a project because the vision doesn’t pause just because it’s not a "work day."

To make it even sweeter, I watch her on the monitor in the overflow room so we can talk about how she's mastering first position and plies.

I still have slots available for back-to-school in-service training. The link is in the comments.

Call now to connect with business.

❌ "They just don’t get it!" ❌

A frustrated director once told me this about her teachers and their assessment practices.

💭 "We do training after training, but when it’s time for ex*****on, they freeze up or give me random information that doesn’t make sense."

Sound familiar?

After digging deeper, I realized the issue wasn’t the teachers—it was the system.

The director was asking her team to master the assessment process, but she hadn’t mastered it herself. She could explain what to do but struggled to connect the dots between assessment, instruction, and program quality.

And that’s when it hit me:

Leaders need to master the assessment process, too.

✅ Not just to check a box.
✅ Not just to collect data.
✅ But to lead, guide, and support their team in meaningful ways.

This week’s blog, "Why Leaders Need to Master the Assessment Process, Too!", breaks down why this skill is non-negotiable and how you can level up your leadership in this area.

🔗 Read it here: https://www.teachforteachers.com/blog/2025/3/3/why-leaders-need-to-master-the-assessment-process-too

Have you ever struggled with making assessments actually work in your program? Tell us about your experience below! ⬇️

As a program director of a smaller childcare center, I could not afford to book a formal training for 1-2 new teachers in the middle of the school year. Yet, they still needed and deserved it. It would have been so helpful to have foundational workshops available to support them while still staying within my program’s budget.

That’s exactly why I’ve created a Winter Training Calendar—a series of affordable, virtual workshops designed to provide essential training for early childhood teachers. These workshops are perfect for programs with limited resources, new hires who need foundational knowledge, or staff looking to refresh their skills mid-year.

This winter, I’m offering half-day and full-day training options on key topics, including:
➡️ Lesson Planning
➡️ Observation and Assessment
➡️ Child Development
…and more!

⌛ Half-day sessions provide an engaging overview of each topic with interactive activities.
⏳ Full-day sessions dive deeper with extended practice opportunities and personalized feedback.

Both options equip teachers with the knowledge and resources needed to successfully support children. Leadership trainings ensure that teachers get the tools they need to thrive, too.

Don’t let budget constraints or timing keep your team from getting the support they deserve. These workshops are flexible, practical, and ready to make an impact.

Check out the full calendar and reserve your spots today at www.teachforteachers.com/calendar

🚨New Blog Post: How to Create Meaningful Professional Development Without Overwhelming Your Team

Imagine walking into your classroom on a Monday morning, still taking off your coat, only to find your coach already sitting in your space, ready to observe. Talk about pressure!

During a recent coaching session, this is exactly what the school clerk suggested I do, and I respectfully declined. I waited in the office for the teacher, instead.

As childcare directors, planning professional development isn’t just about the session itself—it’s about respecting your team’s time, space, and routines while ensuring the experience is impactful.

In my latest blog, I share 5 actionable strategies to plan PD that supports your teachers without overwhelming them. From thoughtful scheduling to fostering a culture of respect, these tips will help you create meaningful learning experiences that truly make a difference.

👉🏾 Check it out here: https://www.teachforteachers.com/blog/2025/1/27/how-to-create-meaningful-professional-development-without-overwhelming-your-team