When we started Positive School Solutions, we made a promise to ourselves: we would only partner with schools where leadership was truly bought in.

Not kind of. Not “sign the check and disappear.” But all-in.

Because we’ve seen the difference. Every time.

In schools where leaders are engaged and invested, everything changes. Staff feel supported. Students thrive. Professional learning doesn’t just land—it lives. Initiatives take root, families feel the shift, and momentum builds. That kind of transformation doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with the leader.

We’ve learned this through experience—but it’s backed by research, too. In a landmark study, Leithwood et al. (2004) found that “school leadership is second only to classroom instruction among all school-related factors that contribute to what students learn.” And research from Darling-Hammond, Hyler, and Gardner (2017) highlights that sustainable improvement only happens when professional development aligns with leadership priorities and daily school practices (Darling-Hammond et al., 2017).

So yes—leadership matters. Deeply.

That’s why, whenever we’re approached by a new school, we get excited—but also intentional. We’re not just being considered. We’re doing some considering, too.

In those early conversations, we’re listening closely. Is this leader clear in their communication? Do they articulate what they need and what their team is navigating? Are they reflecting on what’s working and what still feels stuck? Do they talk about their people with genuine care—not just as roles to manage, but as humans to support?

We’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for presence, purpose, and the willingness to do the real work of leadership.

That care shows up in small ways. They’re present in trainings—not just at the start, but throughout. They ask questions that reveal curiosity and respect. They value growth, even when it’s slow. They don’t sugarcoat challenges—but they’re not cynical, either. They’re in it.

And when they’re in it—we’re in it, too.

Because we’re not here for surface-level change. We’re here for the long-game.

That’s why Holistic PD isn’t built around a one-time workshop. It’s designed for partnership. A full year of working together to build something stronger.

We equip leaders to lead. We help them turn faculty meetings into moments of meaning—not just a logistic dump. We coach them on how to embed learning into everyday interactions—walkthroughs, hallway conversations, even morning announcements. We provide the tools so they can focus on what matters most.

And we stay connected. We want to know what’s working—and what isn’t. We adjust. We refine. We listen.

And yes—sometimes, we even help a leader reclaim something as small (and as radical) as a quiet, seated lunch break.

Because when the leader is supported, everyone benefits. When they believe in the work, the staff lean in. When they model the learning, the culture shifts.

Leadership buy-in isn’t a box to check. It’s the foundation for everything else.

And it’s why we say yes only to the schools that say yes with us. Not just in words—but in action, presence, and heart.

Because when leadership is all-in? The whole school moves forward.

If you’re ready to learn more about Holistic PD, and you’re brave enough to hop on a call knowing we’ll be interviewing you just as much as you’re interviewing us—we’d love to connect.

Tell us what’s working. Tell us what’s hard. You’ll leave the conversation with real tools you can use right away—whether or not we partner beyond the call.
Because that’s what real collaboration starts with: honesty, action, and shared commitment to doing what’s best for your staff and students.

Written by Sarah Fillion 2025