Episode 13: Radical Trust in Professional Development-From Compliance to Connection

In this episode, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin dive into the world of professional development (PD) in education, sharing candid reflections on their worst PD experiences and the lessons learned along the way. They explore the transformative potential of personalized and meaningful training, highlighting the benefits of Ed Camps, where educators collaborate to shape their own learning experiences.

 

The conversation touches on the role of online communities, such as Twitter and blogs, in building professional learning networks and fostering connections across disciplines. Kelly and Michelle emphasize the importance of empathy, understanding student frustrations, and designing PD that supports cognitive skills and addresses real learning challenges.

 

Through stories of camaraderie and shared experiences, they discuss how relationships among educators can enhance creativity, trust, and community within schools. They advocate for grassroots approaches, experiential learning, and rethinking traditional, compliance-driven PD models to prioritize what truly matters: supporting teachers and students alike.

 

This episode is a call to action for educators to embrace collaboration, radical trust, and innovative professional growth that values both the human and creative elements of teaching.

 

Follow Us:

Michelle Baldwin: Avenue 4 Learning, @michellekbaldwin.bsky.social

Kelly Tenkely: Dreams of Education, KT's Place, @ktenkely.bsky.social