PD Days

PD Days Resources for School Leaders

Professional development days are a chance to invest in your team's growth and connection. These teacher created resources help school leaders make the most of every PD day.

A white, stuffed alpaca sits on a shelf in front of green and purple bulletin boards. A handwritten note is propped up in front of the alapca.
A white, stuffed alpaca sits on a shelf in front of green and purple bulletin boards. A handwritten note is propped up in front of the alapca.

Mascot Pass: A Weekly Teacher Appreciation Activity

A weekly recognition tradition that keeps appreciation moving all year long.
5 min
Two women sit at a table looking at each other and smiling. Pens, paper and coffee cups are on the table. There is a shelf with books and school supplies in the background.

One-on-One Meeting Template for Principals

A simple way to connect, listen, and grow with your team.
15 min
Two sheets of paper lay on a wood table. Around them are apple slices, jars of caramel sauce, and a tray of nuts.

Apple Nacho Bar: A Fall Food Idea for Your Next Staff Meeting

An apple nachos fall food idea for your teachers and staff.
10-15 min
Sheets of paper, notecards, pens, and tape lay on a light purple background.

Hidden Superpowers

A chance for staff members to be seen for something beyond their job title.
10-15 min
An orange notebook with two notecards on it, three small notecards, blue pens, and blue tape dispenser lay on a pink background.

5-Minute Professional Development Ideas for Teachers

Five simple, low-prep ideas for supporting staff growth and building confidence throughout the year.
5 min
Three notecards each with one word on them are taped to a red wood wall. A hand reaches in from the side to tape one more notecard on the wall.

One Word Values Activity

A goal-setting template and activity that helps your staff start the year with focus and intention.
20-30 min
Sheets of paper, clipboard, markers, and scissors lay on a yellow background.

Whose Clue is it Anyway?

A team building activity for teachers turns any staff meeting into a playful guessing game.
15-20 min
Three sheets of paper that say "team value ideas" streamers, sticky notes, and tape lay on a green background.

Establish Your Team Values

A collaborative staff activity that gets everyone on the same page from day one.
30–45 min
Two sheets of paper, pencil, and timer lay on an orange tray on a light blue background.

Expertise Exchange, Speed Round

A professional development activity where staff pair up to learn from each other.
20-30 min
Four women stand in front of a yellow wall placing sticky notes under pieces of paper that say "start, stop, continue."

A School Staff Exercise: Start, Stop, Continue

A start, stop, continue template that invites big conversations.
15 min
A man sits at a wood desk with pens, a coffee cup, and sheets of paper on it. He holds two pieces of paper in his hands.

SMART Goals for Teachers and Staff

A practical guide for leading goal-setting conversations that help staff grow, stay focused, and feel supported all year long.
20-30 min
Sheet of paper, clipboard with a sheet of paper, notecards, marker, scissors and sticky-notes lay on a pink background.

Two-Minute Teaching: A Video Reflection Practice

A structured, low-pressure way to build a culture of reflection without the weight of formal observation.
30 min
A crockpot, stack of bowls, and spoons lay on a green table. Behind it is a white wall with a poster on it.

Crocktober

A crockpot potluck with a free sign-up sheet, a cozy way to bring your staff together in October each year.
30–45 min
A sheet of paper with stars taped around it is on a white bulletin board. Two hands reach in and place more stars.

Staff Collaboration Activity: School Hack Day

A team building activity for teachers to brainstorm challenges and choose ideas to put into action.
45-60 min
Two sheets of paper lay on a white table. Small bowls of nacho ingredients lay around them.

Taco + Nacho Bar

Let staff build their own lunch and connect over food.
30–45 min
A colorful poster lays on a table. Scattered around it are small snacks, and a hand reaches in to grab a snack.

Sweet + Salty Potluck

A staff potluck idea that is quick and easy for people to engage with.
Ongoing
A stack of books and a sheet of paper lay on a yellow table.

Staff Book Club

A staff book club gives your team a low-key way to explore new ideas, spark conversation, and grow together professionally.
20-30 min
A red soup pan, bowls and spoons, and vases of flowers sit on a table in front of a poster.

Soup Potluck

A cozy, low-prep way to bring your team together and show appreciation.
30–45 min
A poster, containers of popcorn and candy lay on a table. Next to it is a clipboard with a signup sheet and a hand writes on the sheet.

Popcorn Bar

An easy way to treat your team and say thanks.
20-30 min
Several sheets of paper, small notecards, pens, and a roll of tape lay on a light blue background.

A Collection of Little Wins

An activity to notice the people, moments, and memories that make your school special.
15-20 min
A woman sits at a wooden desk with a jar of markers and potted plant on it. She has a piece of paper and notecard in front of her and she is writing on them.

Growth Goal Quick Check

Turn a quick hallway chat into a moment for reflection and support.
3-5 min
One hand reaches in to hand a hand-written note to another hand.

Growth Goal Celebration Shoutouts

A teacher recognition idea for principals: turn quick growth check-ins into staff shoutouts.
5 min
A casserole dish, utensils, plates, pens and sunflowers sit on a table in front of a brick wall. Two posters are handing on the wall.

Family Favorites Potluck

An easy way for staff to share a favorite dish together this year.
30-45 min
Someone holds a peach water bottle in their hands.

The PD Cafe: Wellness and Growth

A PD activity where staff choose a quick reset to an ongoing habit each week.
15-20 min
Two women sit at a wooden table with an open laptop between them. They write on pieces of paper in front of them.

The PD Cafe: Technology and Innovation

A menu-style PD activity that lets staff test new tools and tricks.
15-20 min
A woman stands writing at a whiteboard. Another woman sits at a table and makes notes in a small notebook.

The PD Cafe: Instructional Practices

An activity to develop professional development ideas for teachers.
15-20 min
A woman sits next to bookshelves as a table writing on a piece of paper.

The PD Cafe: Equity and Inclusion

A PD exercise to build culturally responsive teaching skills.
15-20 min
A crock pot with potatos and small dishes with food toppings lay on a table. Two sheets of paper lay next to them.

Baked Potato Bar

An easy and filling way to treat your team and show appreciation this year.
30–45 min
A woman sits at a desk with headphones on. She writes on a piece of paper on a clipboard.

Treats & Tidbits: Using Podcasts to Encourage Growth

A low-prep professional development idea teachers will love.
Ongoing
A laptop, set of gray over-the-ear headphones and two sheets of paper lay on a wood table.

Staff Podcast Picks

A collaborative activity where staff share podcast episodes focused on personal and professional growth.
10-15 min
A group of three women and one man sit at a table in a library playing a card game.

Staff Taboo Showdown

A school-themed word game that gets staff laughing and competing!
10 min
Hands reach into a circle, each one holds a small piece of paper with an image on it.

One Piece at a Time

An activity to get staff moving around the building and talking to people outside their usual circle.
Ongoing
Hands hold up a small bag of pretzels and a small piece of paper in front of a white wall.

Snack Notes of Appreciation

Ready-to-go notes to pair with a snack for a fun, easy staff appreciation activity.
Ongoing
A football themed poster hangs on a glass wall in front of a yellow table with snacks, paper plates, and napkins.

Tailgate Favorites

A resource to bring game-day energy to the staff lounge.
30-45 min
Two people stand in front of yellow lockers and their hands exchange notecards.

Staff Idea Swap Cards

A quick peer PD activity where staff fill out cards sharing a strategy, tool, or idea that has been working in their classroom.
10-15 min
Someone holds a piece of paper with "this" and "that" on it. People in the background stand to one side of a room.

This or That Icebreaker

A get-on-your-feet icebreaker where staff vote on fun "this or that" prompts.
5-10 min
Four sheets of paper, rolls of tape, and paper clips lay on a light blue background.

Jumble Jargon Icebreaker

A quick staff icebreaker activity where teams guess phonetic word jumbles.
5-10 min
Three people sit at a table laughing and smiling at each other.

Give Me Five Icebreaker

A fast, fun staff meeting icebreaker where teams call out five answers to a prompt.
5-10 min
A poster that says "helping hands, happy hearts" is taped to yellow lockers. Around it are small notes and a hand reaches in to place another note.

Helping Hands, Happy Hearts

A simple staff appreciation activity where teachers share small requests.
5 min
A hand writes with a green pen on a small postcard on a desk filled with office supplies, a cup of coffee, and small plant.

Postcard Goal Check

A goal setting activity that celebrates little wins and big plans.
5 min
A woman stands in front of a whiteboard that has a poster on it. She tapes a notecard near the poster.

Idea Parking Lot

A way to give staff a standing place to submit ideas between meetings.
Ongoing
A woman sits as a table completing a bingo card.

Professional Growth Bingo

An activity to encourage your staff to try new professional growth ideas.
Ongoing
A hand reaches across a messy desk to pace a notecard near a pencil holder.

5-Minute Personal Growth Ideas for School Leaders

Five quick, low-prep ideas principals can use to support professional growth.
5 minutes

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