EP324 Five changes teachers want to see in professional development

Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

PD is supposed to help teachers grow, but so often, it feels like a missed opportunity. In this episode of Truth for Teachers, I’m sharing five things teachers wish PD presenters understood—straight from your thoughtful comments and the experiences I've had attending and delivering professional development over the past 25 years.

If you’ve ever been frustrated by PD sessions that feel irrelevant, condescending, or like a waste of time, you’re not alone. This episode explores what makes PD meaningful for teachers and what presenters can do differently to better serve the educators in the room:

1. Treat us like professionals. Teachers don’t need to be managed like students—we want PD that respects our expertise and autonomy.
2. Give us practical tools we can use. We value strategies, materials, and ideas that are immediately applicable in our classrooms.
3. Stop reading the PowerPoint. We can read—we’d rather spend the time diving deeper into the content.
4. One-size-fits-all doesn’t work. PD should be differentiated to reflect the diverse needs of teachers based on grade level, subject area, and role.
5. Inspiration is key. Great PD leaves us motivated and energized—not overwhelmed or bogged down by irrelevant details.

This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt like PD doesn’t meet your needs as a teacher. It’s also a great resource to share with PD presenters and decision-makers in your district who are designing professional learning experiences.

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.