When I was little, I had a pair of roller skates I absolutely loved. One summer day, one of the wheels fell off—but I was determined to spend that perfect day outside doing my favorite thing. So I laced them up anyway.

At first, I was cautious, trying to avoid putting weight on the weak spot. But as any 8-year-old with a Walkman and a good tape would, I got lost in the music… and forgot. Until I leaned too far into the missing wheel—and wiped out.

I got up, brushed off my scraped knees, and kept going—this time hyper-aware of the danger zone. And that worked… until I saw one of my parents outside, got excited, sped up to show off, and crashed even harder. I was banned from skating for the day. But the next week, for my birthday? I got a brand new pair of skates—and let me tell you, I was flying.

In conversation after conversation with educational leaders, we’re hearing a familiar story: a wheel has come off.

Some schools are struggling with severe teacher burnout. Others are watching their PD dollars go down the drain—low attendance, low impact, and zero culture change. And across the board, leaders are saying:

“We need support in staff well-being, in practical skill-building for our entire staff, and in leadership strategies that make the job easier and more impactful. Oh—and we have almost no budget to work with.”

That might sound like an impossible ask.

To us? It sounded like a blueprint.

Because these are the exact areas we’ve been building toward for the past four years. At the heart of Holistic PD are four non-negotiables—pillars that we refuse to compromise on. They’re the wheels on the skates.

And everything else—curriculum, academic goals, initiatives, and strategies—depends on those wheels working together. You might stay upright for a while on three. You might even coast for a bit on two. But eventually? You’re going to wipe out.

The Four Pillars of Holistic PD

1. Personalized & Practical

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all learning. Educators deserve PD that speaks to their role, their strengths, and their real challenges. Every course and resource we offer is designed to be immediately useful—no fluff, no filler, just tools they can actually use. 

2. Joy-Driven Growth

Growth shouldn’t feel heavy. We believe in PD that brings energy, clarity, and a return to purpose. When teachers feel like they’re growing in meaningful ways, they bring that joy and momentum back to their students.

 
3. Well-Being First

Well-being isn’t something we add on—it’s where we begin. Educators can’t lead powerful classrooms if they’re running on empty. We help schools create sustainable habits that support the emotional and mental health of every adult in the building.

 
4. All-In Culture

When only a few are growing, the culture doesn’t change. Holistic PD includes everyone—teachers, specialists, support staff, admin—because a thriving school requires full participation and shared responsibility.

So What Happens When All the Wheels Are On?

• Smoothness. Stability and support are felt by everyone. Systems start working. Teams begin flowing.

• Ease. Less chaos. Fewer crises. Higher engagement. More breathing room.

• Balance. Teachers feel less overwhelmed and more grounded. Leaders notice calmer classrooms. Energy feels lighter.

• Fun. Yes—fun! More creativity, more risk-taking, more connection, more smiles from staff, students, and leaders alike.

We built Holistic PD with intention, not urgency, because we knew schools didn’t need another quick fix—they needed a new foundation. These four pillars—the wheels—aren’t just helpful; they’re what move schools forward. They’re what get districts out of the broken patterns of PD that never quite deliver and into a future where the whole system runs smoother, stronger, and more sustainably.

We built it with intention, knowing these four pillars were non-negotiable. They are what schools need to create cultures where educators want to work—and where students can go beyond what we’ve even imagined for them.

This is what happens when all the wheels are turning.

And we’d love to help you roll forward.

Written by Sarah Fillion 2025