More Than PD: Leading with Intention, Vision, and Faith
Scripture:
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” — Isaiah 30:21
Reflection:
Sometimes the hardest part of the calling is not knowing where it's leading.
You’ve been faithful. You’ve shown up early in the mornings, stayed late into the evenings, had difficult conversations, and made unseen sacrifices. Yet, a door closes. A role shifts. A season ends. Suddenly, you're left with lingering questions:
“Did I miss something?”
“Is it over?”
“Was that truly my purpose?”
But calling isn’t always about clarity. It’s about connection.
God doesn’t always reveal the entire map. Sometimes, He only provides enough light for the next step. And although that might not seem like much, it’s more than enough because when you stay close to Him, direction becomes less about knowing where you’re going and more about knowing who you're following.
Your pause has purpose.
Your questions are not disqualifiers.
You’re not lost. You’re being led.
As your district begins summer professional development, consider this: PD isn't just a time to earn hours or take notes. It’s an invitation to slow down, reflect, and realign not only for your classroom practices but for your mindset, leadership, and personal growth.
Ask yourself:
What needs to change within me before the school year starts?
How can I approach student behavior from a restorative rather than a punitive perspective?
What initiative can I help launch that fosters a stronger school culture?
Where can I get involved, not just in my classroom but also in the broader school and community?
Whether it's joining a committee focused on equity, partnering with others to develop a mentoring program, or helping plan schoolwide events that promote community and connection, now is the time to engage intentionally. Let your summer reflection inspire your fall transformation.
As you ask these questions, let the S.N.A.P. Framework guide your process. Let it serve not just as a classroom tool but as a life tool.
S – Stop.
Pause. Be still. Allow yourself to feel the weight of the last season, but don’t carry it into the next. Let go of what no longer supports your growth or your students’ future.
N – Notice.
What patterns do you notice in your responses, routines, and relationships? What themes have emerged during PD sessions? What is being revealed about how you show up for students, colleagues, and yourself?
A – Act.
Choose one intentional step. Perhaps it’s shifting your approach to discipline from a reactive to a relational one. Maybe it’s starting a “lunch & learn” series, a parent partnership, or a student check-in system. Change doesn't always need a title; it just needs a willing heart.
P – Plan.
Map out how to stay grounded in what matters most. What support will you need? Who can you team up with? What solutions can you bring to your administration team? How will you measure growth?
Your work isn’t just about teaching content, it’s about shaping whole students. That means being intentional about creating an environment where students succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. This kind of impact doesn’t begin in the fall. It starts now with reflection, vision, and the courage to lead differently.
Prayer:
God, I’m listening. In this season of waiting, wondering, or transition, remind me that you are near. I don’t need the full picture; I just need enough faith to take the next step. Help me stop striving, notice what you’re revealing, act in obedience, and plan with boldness. Teach me to lead with intentionality. Amen.
Encouragement to Carry:
Even when the path feels uncertain, your purpose remains. Even in silence, God is working behind the scenes. You are not falling behind; you are being positioned.
So walk out of your summer PD not just trained, but transformed.
Not just informed, but inspired.
Not just prepared, but purpose-driven.
This year, teach intentionally. Lead with compassion. And build with vision.
Let this season be the time you lead, not just with strategy, but with S.N.A.P.
Stop. Notice. Act. Plan.
One step at a time. With faith. With fire. With purpose.
