I’ll never forget the day Dr. Scott Morrison—my mentor and former superintendent—called me with an invitation that had me absolutely terrified. He asked if I would co-teach a masterclass with him. Not just any masterclass, mind you, but one for superintendents and directors. I had only been in my role as Director of Learning for four months. Four. Months.
The fear hit me instantly. “I don’t have enough experience for this,” I thought. But here’s the thing about Scott—he doesn’t ask you to do something because you’re already an expert. He asks because he believes in the power of learning by doing. And so, despite being scared senseless, I said yes.
That decision led to one of the most powerful learning experiences of my career. Standing up there, vulnerable and transparent with the group I was teaching, I realized that by diving in and learning alongside them, I wasn’t just teaching content—I was modeling what true professional learning looks like. I wasn’t afraid to wonder out loud, ask questions, and learn in real time.
Saying yes when you’re scared isn’t always easy. But I’ve learned that sometimes, the fear is just the sign that you’re about to embark on a learning experience that will elevate you as a leader. And if you can lead by example, embracing the vulnerability that comes with learning in motion, your teachers and your staff will follow. They’ll see that it’s okay to not know everything, and that the real magic happens when you step into the unknown and commit to learning as you go.
Are You Saying No Because You’re Scared?
We’ve all been told to set boundaries, protect our time, and say no if something doesn’t serve us. And I agree, boundaries are essential. But here’s my challenge for you: Are you saying no because it’s a healthy boundary, or because you’re scared you don’t have the experience or knowledge to say yes?
If it’s the latter, I encourage you to consider saying yes the next time an opportunity comes your way. That “yes” could be the beginning of your most powerful learning journey yet.
What Happens When You Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People?
Here’s the cool thing: When you commit to professional learning and model it for others, something incredible happens—you find yourself in a community, whether virtual or face-to-face, with people who are also committed to growth. These are people who want to push themselves, to take their skills and leadership to the next level. And guess what happens to you when that’s the “cool” thing to do? You elevate, too.
When you’re surrounded by people who are constantly striving for more, you can’t help but push yourself further. It’s like being in a gym full of athletes—you’ll lift heavier, run faster, and go harder simply because the energy in the room demands it.
You might be thinking, “But what if I don’t feel that push?” What if that voice in your head tells you to slow down, to play it safe? Here’s my advice: Don’t quit. There’s always going to be that voice that tries to hold you back. But what if the other voice, the one saying “go for it,” is right? What if by saying yes, you surprise yourself with what you’re capable of?
7 Steps to Model a Commitment to Professional Learning
Here’s what I learned from Scott Morrison during that masterclass, and what I realized I was doing in my own practice without even knowing it. These are seven steps you can take to model a commitment to professional learning for your staff:
1. Be Transparent About Your Own Learning
When I co-taught that masterclass, I made it clear that I didn’t have all the answers. I shared my own learning process with the group, making it okay for everyone to ask questions and reflect on their practices. I learned to re-represent what I learned and make it work for me and the community I lead.
Action Step: The next time you’re leading a PD session, share something you’re actively learning yourself. This creates a culture where continuous learning is valued and expected, even from leadership.
2. Model Learning in Real Time
Instead of delivering a perfectly polished presentation, Scott and I worked through the material with the group, adjusting as we went. That in-the-moment learning showed everyone that growth happens right in front of you.
Action Step: When you’re working on something new, invite your teachers in. Whether it’s a book study or trying out a new instructional strategy, do it alongside them instead of ahead of them.
3. Ask Powerful Questions
Scott didn’t give me the answers. Instead, he asked me questions that made me think deeply about my own practice and approach. That’s when I learned the importance of curiosity in professional learning.
Action Step: When you’re leading your staff, focus on asking questions that encourage them to reflect and think critically. This shifts the conversation from “what should I do?” to “how can I improve?”
4. Celebrate Vulnerability
One of the most valuable lessons I learned was that being vulnerable as a leader isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength. When you’re open about your own growth, your staff feels safe to take risks and grow, too.
Action Step: Share a time when you didn’t get something right. Let your teachers see that making mistakes is part of the learning process. This will encourage them to take risks in their own teaching.
5. Lead with Reflection
Scott always made time for reflection. After each session, we’d pause to ask, “What did we learn? How can we apply this?” That simple act of reflection turned every moment into a learning opportunity.
Action Step: Build reflection into your PD sessions. After any workshop or meeting, ask your teachers to reflect on how they can apply what they’ve learned. Give them time to journal or discuss it with peers.
6. Co-Construct Meaning
In the masterclass, Scott didn’t just deliver information—he asked the group to contribute their own insights and experiences. Together, we built a richer understanding of the topic.
Action Step: Create opportunities for your teachers to share their own experiences during PD. Use small group discussions, case studies, structured listening, or peer teaching to co-construct meaning together.
7. Commit to Continuous Growth
Finally, the biggest takeaway was that learning is never a one-time event. Scott models continuous professional growth, and I’ve taken that lesson to heart in my own practice.
Action Step: Encourage your staff to commit to ongoing professional learning. Whether it’s attending workshops, doing book studies, or simply staying curious, make growth a continuous part of your school culture.
Wrapping It Up
Modeling a commitment to professional learning doesn’t just benefit your staff—it rejuvenates you as a leader. It keeps you curious, engaged, and passionate about your work. And when your teachers see that you’re invested in your own growth, they’ll feel inspired to invest in theirs, too.
When you say yes to learning—when you dive in, even when it’s scary—you open the door to an entirely new level of leadership. You elevate yourself, and in turn, you elevate those around you. Surround yourself with people who want more, who push you to grow, and watch as you surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.
So here’s my challenge to you: The next time an opportunity comes your way that makes you nervous, ask yourself—am I saying no because it’s a boundary, or because I’m scared? If it’s fear holding you back, I encourage you to say yes. Dive in, learn in real time, and let that experience fuel your leadership journey.
No regrets—only learning.
If you’re ready to join a community of high-performing leaders who are committed to professional growth, the Inspire Membership for school leaders is for you. In this community, you’ll invest in yourself, see a real return on that investment, and elevate not only your leadership but everyone around you. Our promise? To transform you from an overwhelmed leader to an inspired, fulfilled, and healthy one—rejuvenating your passion for education, enhancing your health, and empowering you to elevate your impact on teachers and students alike.
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Morrison, S. (2024, August 15-16). Modeling a commitment to professional learning. CASS Summer Conference, Edmonton, Alberta.
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