Education is always changing. New research, evolving student needs, and shifting instructional methods make it essential for educators to keep learning. Professional development isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about growing skills, strengthening instruction, and ultimately improving student success.

When professional learning is structured and intentional, it leads to real impact. Research has shown that educators who engage in ongoing development become more effective in the classroom, leading to higher student achievement (Darling-Hammond, Hyler, & Gardner, 2017).

However, not all professional development is created equal. One-off workshops don’t drive lasting change. Instead, professional learning must be collaborative, ongoing, and directly tied to the challenges teachers and school leaders face daily (Hill & Papay, 2022). Schools that prioritize this kind of meaningful development create stronger educators, more effective leadership, and better student outcomes.

A critical piece of this process is evaluation. Education expert Dr. Thomas Guskey (2024) emphasizes that professional development should be designed with student success in mind. His work reinforces the importance of measuring the impact of professional learning, not just in terms of participation, but in real-world application and student performance.

The role of school leaders is just as important. When principals engage in high-quality professional learning, their leadership strengthens, teacher retention improves, and schools see higher levels of student success (Darling-Hammond, Wechsler, Levin, Leung-Gagné, & Tozer, 2022).

Effective professional development is about more than just attending training sessions, it’s about building a culture of continuous learning that transforms classrooms, schools, and entire communities.

Why Professional Development Matters

Investing in professional development benefits both educators and students. Studies show that continuous, research-backed training enhances teacher effectiveness, which directly impacts student learning and achievement. Well-trained and supported teachers are better equipped to address diverse student needs, implement evidence-based instructional strategies, and adapt to evolving educational standards.

For principals and school leaders, professional development ensures they can effectively support their teaching staff, manage school improvement initiatives, and create a positive school climate that fosters student success. Research highlights that strong instructional leadership can significantly impact school-wide academic achievement and teacher retention.

The Impact of High-Quality Professional Development

1. Improved Student Outcomes – Schools that invest in ongoing teacher training see higher student achievement and engagement (Darling-Hammond et al., 2017).

2. Increased Teacher Confidence and Retention – Educators who receive ongoing support and training feel more prepared and are more likely to remain in the profession (Hill & Papay, 2022).

3. Enhanced Instructional Practices – Teachers learn new strategies to differentiate instruction, engage students, and assess learning effectively.

4. School-Wide Improvement – Principals who receive leadership development training create stronger learning environments, leading to overall school success (Wallace Foundation, 2022).

How Professional Development is Effectively Implemented

A well-designed professional development program involves multiple components to ensure long-term impact. Schools and districts that successfully integrate effective PD follow these key strategies:

1. Backward Planning and Goal-Setting

Guskey (2024) emphasizes the importance of backward planning when designing professional development programs. Instead of starting with training topics, educators and leaders should begin with the desired student learning outcomes and then work backward to identify:

• The instructional strategies needed to achieve those outcomes.

• The organizational support required to implement these strategies.

• The professional learning experiences needed to equip teachers with necessary skills.

• The best methods for measuring progress and evaluating impact.

By starting with clear student achievement goals and aligning professional learning accordingly, schools can ensure their investment in professional development leads to measurable improvements.

2. Ongoing Support and Coaching

Effective PD does not end after a single workshop. Schools that integrate ongoing coaching and mentoring see the most significant improvements in teacher effectiveness. Research suggests that teachers who receive sustained coaching are more likely to apply new instructional strategies and improve student outcomes (Hill & Papay, 2022). Instructional coaches provide teachers with personalized feedback, model effective teaching practices, and support educators in applying new skills in their classrooms (Guskey, 2024).

3. Collaborative Learning Environments

Professional learning communities (PLCs) are a crucial component of effective PD. PLCs encourage collaboration, allowing teachers to discuss instructional challenges, share best practices, and reflect on their experiences. Research shows that teachers who engage in collaborative learning improve their instructional strategies faster than those who work in isolation (Darling-Hammond et al., 2017). Schools with strong PLCs see higher levels of teacher satisfaction and student engagement (Hill & Papay, 2022).

4. Practical, Job-Embedded Learning

One of the most effective approaches to professional development is job-embedded learning, where

educators practice new strategies in real classroom settings.

This includes:

• Lesson study models, where teachers co-plan, observe, and refine lessons.

• Action research projects, where educators test new strategies and analyze their effectiveness.

• Micro-teaching sessions, where teachers practice techniques and receive feedback from peers and mentors.

Studies indicate that job-embedded learning leads to higher retention of professional development concepts and more effective classroom implementation (Guskey, 2024).

How FIRST Educational Resources Supports Professional Development

At FIRST Educational Resources, we provide structured, research-based professional development programs customized to the specific needs of educators and school leaders. Through our specialized divisions, we address key aspects of professional learning and ensure lasting impact.

1. Professional Learning Communities (PLC) Center

Our PLC Center provides schools with the resources and training necessary to implement and sustain high-functioning Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) that drive instructional improvement.

• Fostering Collective Efficacy | We empower educators to build a shared belief in their ability to positively impact student learning through collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and evidence-based instructional strategies.  

• Establishing Norms, Structures, and Collective Commitments | We help schools create foundational elements of PLCs to ensure productive discussions, align team efforts with school goals, and create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

• Creating a Culture of Observable Impact | We support educators in transforming PLC discussions into meaningful classroom changes that improve student outcomes and designing learning environments where all students can succeed.

2. Standards-Based Grading and Assessment (STAGR) Center

Our STAGR Center (Standards, Target, Assessment, Grading and Reporting) assists schools in shifting from traditional grading models to standards-based grading and assessment, ensuring that assessment practices support learning.

• Transforming Grading Practices | We guide schools in shifting from traditional grading models to standards-based grading and assessment, ensuring grading practices accurately reflect student learning.

• Aligning Assessment with Learning | We support educators in designing high-quality assessments and reassessment opportunities that align with learning targets, promote student growth, and provide meaningful feedback.

• Building Clarity in Teaching, Learning, and Reporting | We help schools establish clarity in what they teach, what students need to know and be able to do, and how learning is communicated through effective grading and reporting practices.

3. Literacy Center

Our Literacy Center is dedicated to enhancing literacy instruction through research-based reading and writing strategies, with a primary focus on secondary literacy..

• Meaningful and Timely Training for Teachers and Leaders | We foster deep literacy expertise, impactful teaching strategies, and valuable professional learning opportunities. Our mission is to empower educators with the skills and confidence needed to provide standards-driven, engaging instruction that promotes student growth and achievement.

• Analyze Practices and Develop a Vision for Literacy Instruction | We support educators in critically examining current literacy practices to identify strengths, areas for growth, and alignment with evidence-based approaches. By collaboratively developing a clear and actionable vision for literacy instruction, we help schools establish a cohesive framework that drives meaningful student outcomes and fosters lifelong literacy skills.

• Ongoing and Embedded Coaching | We offer personalized, job-embedded coaching to support literacy teachers and leaders in implementing effective instructional practices. Through regular collaboration, feedback, and modeling, we help educators refine their skills, address challenges, and sustain meaningful improvements in literacy teaching and learning. 

4. Jenni Donohoo Collective Efficacy Center

Our Collective Efficacy Center focuses on strengthening mastery environments in which everyone in an educational setting shares the belief that individually and collectively they have the capacity to impact positive change. We dispel the myth that educators lack the collective capability to positively influence student outcomes beyond the impact of home and community factors.

• Equipping Educators with Tools for Powerful Learning | We provide educators with research-based strategies, protocols, and resources that foster collaborative inquiry and enable teams to engage in impactful professional learning that builds collective efficacy.

• Assessing Enabling Conditions for Collective Efficacy | We help schools evaluate and strengthen the five enabling conditions that foster collective teacher efficacy, including goal consensus, cohesive teacher knowledge, supportive leadership, embedded reflective practices and empowered teachers. 

• Building Leadership Capacity to Foster Collective Efficacy | We support leaders in developing the skills needed to create conditions where educators believe in their collective power to make a difference, leading to enhanced student achievement, increased teacher satisfaction, and stronger school communities.

5. Instructional Coaching Center

The Instructional Coaching Center is designed to build coaching capacity in schools, ensuring that teachers receive personalized, on-the-job support.

• Deepen Skills for Impactful Instructional Coaching | We offer foundational and advanced institutes, workshops, and keynotes customized to the needs of coaches, schools, and districts. Our work focuses on strengthening coaching skills and competencies and aligning coaching practices with school and district goals.

• Design and Improve Coaching Programs | We offer a comprehensive analysis of instructional coaching programs to evaluate their design, methods, and alignment with school or district goals while assessing their measurable impact on teaching and student learning. The result is a plan for a coaching program that builds on current strengths and opportunities, and that provides actionable recommendations for improvement.

• Develop and Deliver New Teacher Mentoring Programs | We provide a comprehensive, fully digital program to support mentor and new teacher development, including video-based mentor training, monthly professional learning resources, and a detailed Mentor/New Teacher Handbook. Designed for ease of use and based on years of successful experience, this resource equips educators with the tools needed for effective mentoring and professional growth.

6. Math Center

The Math Center empowers educators through high-quality professional development designed to deepen conceptual understanding and enhance problem-solving skills in mathematics..

• Develop Highly Trained Teachers | We cultivate strong content knowledge, effective pedagogical strategies, and meaningful professional learning experiences. Our goal is to equip teachers with the tools and confidence to deliver rigorous, engaging instruction that drives student success.

• Establish a Clear Vision for Mathematics Instruction | We partner with schools and districts to develop a shared, actionable vision for mathematics education centered on rigor, coherence, and access for all students.

• Coaching for Sustainable Impact | Our coaching model supports educators and leaders through meaningful instructional shifts. Working side-by-side with your team, our math specialists collaborate to build capacity, strengthen instructional practices, and foster long-lasting, transformative change.

7. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) – AESEL Center

The AESEL Center (Academics, Environment, Social Emotional Learning) equips educators with the tools to integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into classroom instruction, fostering student well-being and academic success.

• Developing Student Resilience and Self-Regulation | We train educators in practical strategies to support emotional development in students.

• Building a Positive School Culture | Our programs provide school-wide approaches for creating inclusive, supportive learning environments.

• Supporting Student Behaviors | We help teachers and schools work to prevent and respond in ways to support student behaviors.

8. Other Services

Beyond our specialized centers, we offer a variety of services tailored to meet the unique needs of schools and districts:​

• Leadership Services | Customized support through in-person events, online sessions, keynotes, or coaching to enhance leadership effectiveness.​

• MTSS Planning and Support  |  Guidance in analyzing and improving systems to better meet students' needs through customized instruction and intervention plans.​

• Administrator Mentoring Services  |  Access to experienced mentors for new administrators, offering guidance during their initial years in roles such as Superintendents, Principals, and more.​

• Data Coaching Services  |  Expertise in navigating district data, forecasting school report cards, and leveraging data for optimal instruction.​

• School Scheduling Support  | Assistance in making effective changes to school schedules, including finding common prep times and adding intervention periods.​

• Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness  |  Guidance in understanding and implementing AI in educational settings, preparing teachers and leaders for successful integration.

Customized Professional Development: Tailored to Every School’s Unique Needs

No two schools or districts are the same. At FIRST Educational Resources, we recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach to professional development is ineffective. That’s why we specialize in customized, responsive professional learning experiences designed to meet the specific needs of each district, school, and educator we serve.

• Needs Assessments – Conducting surveys, reviewing student performance data, and gathering educator feedback to identify professional learning priorities.

• Collaborative Planning – Engaging school and district leaders in conversations about existing instructional practices, desired outcomes, and implementation strategies.

• Flexible Learning Models – Designing on-site, virtual, or hybrid professional development opportunities based on educator schedules, district initiatives, and instructional goals.

We are committed to sustained professional learning that fosters long-term improvement. By providing continuous coaching, leadership support, and customized action plans, we help schools integrate professional development into their daily instructional practices.

For more details, contact us today or explore our professional development opportunities.

Works Cited

• Darling-Hammond, L., Hyler, M. E., & Gardner, M. (2017). Effective Teacher Professional Development. Learning Policy Institute.

• Darling-Hammond, L., Wechsler, M. E., Levin, S., Leung-Gagné, M., & Tozer, S. (2022). Developing Effective Principals: What Kind of Learning Matters? Learning Policy Institute.

• Guskey, T. R. (2024). Evaluating Professional Learning: Applying a Backward Planning Model for Meaningful Impact. Learning Policy Institute.

• Hill, H. C., & Papay, J. P. (2022). Building Better Professional Learning: How to Strengthen Teacher Learning. Research Partnership for Professional Learning.

• Wallace Foundation. (2022). The Role of Principals in Student Achievement: Effective Leadership Practices for School Success.