I left the classroom—but not because I stopped caring. If anything, stepping away made me care even more. It’s why I’ve built my life around one mission: Keeping incredible teachers in schools.

And to be totally honest?
It makes me angry that so many of the best teachers are walking away—not because they’ve lost their passion, but because we’ve made it impossible for them to stay.

Teachers don’t ask for much.
They never did it for the money. They didn’t sign up for summers “off” (because we all know those are for catching up and healing from the chaos).
What they do want is to feel supported. To have tools that work. To be seen as human. To make a difference and have a life.

We can give them that.
And the best part? It doesn’t cost more. We just have to stop wasting time, energy, and funding on professional development that never had a chance to work.

What a Thriving School Actually Looks Like

Walk with me for a second.
It’s 7:45 AM. You hear laughter in the hallways—real connection between adults who like each other and show up early because they’re excited for the day.

The bell rings, and smiling teachers step into the halls to greet students, parents, and one another—not out of obligation, but because the community feels good. Kids eagerly want to share updates with their teachers, and you can tell they feel safe, seen, and loved.

Classrooms hum with purpose. Students are engaged. Teachers are in small groups, guiding and encouraging, not managing chaos.

Administrators walk through—not to check boxes, but to connect and support.
There’s a calm confidence in the air. Even when problems arise, they’re handled with care and consistency.

And when the day ends?
Teachers head to a faculty meeting they actually want to attend.
They’ve spent the past few weeks on a course they chose, and now they’re sharing their learning—pitching it to their peers with creativity, humor, and excitement.
There’s laughter, collaboration, and real growth.

That’s what happens when teachers are energized, supported, and connected. That’s what makes them stay.

Why Most Schools Aren’t There Yet

Here’s the truth that stings: We’re still trying to fix modern problems with outdated PD.

Let’s call it what it is:

• “Spray-and-pray” PD where someone comes in for a day, drops a ton of info, and leaves—never to be heard from again.
• Zero choice in content—teachers are force-fed what someone else thinks they need, with no regard for their actual challenges.
• Irrelevant content that doesn’t work for specialists, paraeducators, or different grade levels.
• Inaccessible timing—if a teacher is absent that day? Too bad. They’ve missed it.
• Well-being lip service—a stress workshop during in-service doesn’t cut it when burnout runs deep.

And all of this? It leaves teachers feeling unseen, unheard, and unsupported.
No wonder they’re walking away.

What Holistic PD Does Differently

Holistic PD isn’t just another training program.
It’s a complete reimagination of what professional development can and should be.

Here’s how we do it:

• Well-Being First: Before we ask teachers to grow professionally, we help them build daily habits that sustain them personally.
• Personalized & Practical: Teachers choose what they learn—based on what’s happening in their classrooms right now. And it’s all immediately actionable.
• Joy-Driven Growth: Our PD isn’t about fixing teachers—it’s about fueling them. When teachers feel successful and joyful, they show up bigger for their students.
• All-In Culture: We don’t just support “core” teachers. We bring the whole adult community—specialists, support staff, and leaders—into the same growth journey.
• Flexible & Ongoing: On-demand, interactive, and woven into the rhythm of the year. No missed sessions. No “one and done.”

This Isn’t a Dream. It’s a Blueprint.

That thriving school I described earlier? It’s not fantasy. It’s real, and we’re helping schools build it every day. When you give teachers tools that work, habits that help, and community that lifts them up—they stay.

And when they stay, your entire school transforms.

Let’s Talk. Because You Have the Power to Change Everything.

You don’t need permission to do PD differently. You just need the right partner.

Holistic PD is your chance to lead in a new way—to build a culture where teachers want to stay, students are excited to learn, and families can feel the difference the moment they walk in.

This is how you leave a legacy.
A legacy of redefining professional development.
A legacy of putting people first.
A legacy of creating the school everyone wants to be a part  of—staff, students, and parents alike.

So the question is…

Why wait another year to be that kind of school?

👉 Let’s talk. Today. Let’s build something remarkable—together.

Written by Sarah FIllion 2025