I used to lead a lot of professional development. I’d keynote conferences, lead workshops, speak at districts, etc. It became my full time job. (See my record here!)
But an old-school ex-principal pulled me aside. She pointed out my big flaw: I was prescribing solutions without diagnosing the problem.
I was popular because I was good on stage, had funny slides, and was more entertaining than other speakers. But I wasn’t actually helpful.
This shook me to my core. Entertaining. Not helpful.
She told me that the way to actually help teachers is to solve their problem, not give them more information.
Starving people need fully-cooked meals, not “recipe ideas.” A drowning person needs a life-preserver, not swimming lessons. Teachers need actual lessons, not another framework for how to write lessons.
This was a wake-up call. It led to a complete change in how I run Byrdseed. As a rule, I do not speak from a stage anymore. I prioritized Byrdseed.TV, which does actually solve the problem of: teachers need good lessons but don’t have the time or skill to create lessons.
The feedback I get now is so different.
- Before: I loved your talk. So many great ideas.
- After: My students now spend recess working on Greekymon and now they’re getting into the alternative chess games.
When we just give teachers “more ideas,” they won’t have time to implement them. But when we solve their most pressing problem, we’ll see actual changes in their classrooms.
And, the only way to know that problem? Get into classrooms. Watch teachers. Talk to teachers.
Their biggest needs will be glaringly obvious.
And I promise it isn’t “I need another framework!”