If you've ever walked out of a PD session wondering what the point was, then this episode is for you.

Hello, friends.

Welcome to the Bright Morning podcast.

I'm your host, Elena Aguilar.

And in each episode, you'll learn how to lead conversations that build connection and spark real change.

All right, today we are kicking off a brand new series for PD providers and for meeting

facilitators. And we're starting with a big idea. We've been told

a lie about what professional development is supposed to be, and it's time to name it and replace it

with something better. Years ago, I sat through a district-mandated PD that left me feeling discouraged.

It was 90 minutes of lecture.

90 minutes of slide after slide.

There was no interaction, there was no joy.

And I remember glancing around the room, and some people were grading papers.

Others, quite a few, were scrolling on their phones.

And everyone looked like they were just waiting it out.

And I thought, this isn't professional development,

this is punishment. And the worst part was that I had gotten used to this. I had come to

expect that PD was something to sit through, to tolerate, or maybe to survive, and maybe

you have two. But this is a lie. It's a myth. PD shouldn't be passive. It shouldn't be

transactional. It shouldn't drain people. And it definitely shouldn't feel like something that we just endure.

Professional development should be transformational.

It should spark insight.

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