Ah, professional development (PD)—the two letters that strike fear, frustration, and angst into the hearts of teachers everywhere. Instead of Professional Development, PD should stand for Please, don’t — because, let’s be honest, the last thing teachers want to do on a day without the students is engage in icebreakers, team-building activities, and endless recycled PowerPoint slides.

Most teachers say the sessions are pointless. Instead of focusing on the speakers, teachers spend the day thinking about what needs to be done to shorten their to-do lists; meanwhile, the PD just lengthens them.

Why do teachers dread PD?

1. It’s often irrelevant.

PD is often one-size-fits-all. Even if you teach PE, you still learn how to prepare the new math curriculum.

Professional development is usually irrelevant to specific grade levels or subject areas, which causes teachers to tune out rather quickly.

2. It’s the same every year.

Teachers aren’t new to teaching. They’ve heard “growth mindset” and the other buzzwords a million times already.

3. It takes away valuable time.

Instead of PD, let’s use these days for teachers to collaborate with their colleagues, grade papers, and prepare to teach and deliver instruction effectively. That’s what teaching is all about, don’t you think?

4. ZZZZZZ!! It’s boring. 

If PD is supposed to teach engagement strategies, it should be engaging. Let’s get some dynamic speakers instead of the same people who speak similarly to the teacher in Ferris Buehler.

So what should we be doing instead?

1. Give teachers what they want.

We all know what teachers want: it’s time. They want to catch up on the mountains of paperwork that keep them from focusing on strategies to help students learn. Give them “Work in Your Room” Professional Development, and make a teacher’s day.

2. Make it relevant and fun.

Bring in speakers who understand the struggles of teaching and can inspire and motivate teachers. (Psst… TeacherSpeakers.com does precisely that!)

3. Offer personalized PD.

Instead of having upper-grade teachers learn ways to teach letters and sounds, they could choose sessions that apply to their grade level and subject area. This is genius, really.

4. Use TeacherSpeakers.com.

Teachers don’t hate learning—they just hate bad PD. TeacherSpeakers.com is a new website connecting Bored Teachers’ comedians with teachers, school districts, and education events.

Imagine PD sessions that are entertaining and morale-boosting instead of causing stress-inducing boredom.

TeacherSpeakers.com for the win.

Isaac Stein, a Las Vegas, Nevada principal, brought Devin Siebold in for a teacher kick-off PD session.

“His stories and comedic take on being an educator inspired our teachers and energized them for the upcoming school year. He was the best speaker we have ever had.”

Happy teachers equal motivated teachers, and having speakers who can relate, offer practical insights, and comedic relief is a huge win for everyone.

Book now!

  • Perfect for Conferences & School Events: Whether hosting a district-wide training or an end-of-year celebration, TeacherSpeakers.com will ensure that your attendees leave happy and inspired.
  • Private Comedy Shows? Yes, Please! Would you like to treat your teachers to an exclusive comedy night? How great would that be?

The Bottom Line: Investing in professional development doesn’t have to mean sacrificing teachers’ precious time (or sanity). With TeacherSpeakers.com, you’re giving educators an experience they’ll look forward to—and one that leaves them refreshed and ready to take on the school year with a smile.

So, school leaders, let’s rethink PD. Let’s make it meaningful. Let’s make it memorable. And most importantly—let’s make it funny.

Check out TeacherSpeakers.com today. Your teachers will thank you!