Have You Considered All the Essential Ingredients for Optimal Professional Development?

A Lesson from the Kitchen
During the summer holidays, I decided to try my hand at baking. Armed with enthusiasm but lacking a knack for following recipes, I soon discovered that missing even one ingredient (or skipping a crucial step) can spell disaster. The muffins were dry, the cake lopsided and the cookies… well, let’s not talk about the cookies.

But the experience wasn’t a total loss. It reminded me of an important truth: the best outcomes come from careful planning, the right recipe and the perfect balance of ingredients.

When it comes to designing a professional learning plan for schools, the same principle applies. Without the right blend of elements, even the most well-intentioned program can fall flat.

What Are the Ideal Ingredients for Professional Learning in 2025?
Crafting a professional development scope and sequence plan for the school year is like designing the perfect recipe. To create a plan that nurtures a strong culture, fosters high morale and inspires collaboration, consider these essential ingredients:

A Pinch of Compliance
Just enough structure ensures alignment with standards and guidelines. A small but vital ingredient that sets the foundation for success.

A Generous Spoonful of Psychosocial Safety Awareness
Create an environment where staff feel supported and valued, laying the groundwork for well-being and retention.

A Splash of Effective Communication Training
The key to smooth dialogue and confident teams. Help your team navigate difficult conversations, articulate, connect and resolve with clarity.

A Cup Full of Experiential Programs
The binding agent that breaks down departmental silos and creates genuine connections through interactive, team-based experiences.

A Hearty Dose of Leadership Training
Blend thought-provoking models and strategies to inspire strategic thinking, strong people management and practical application.

When combined in the right proportions, these ingredients lead to stronger staff well-being, more engaged teachers and ultimately happier, more content students.

The Secret Ingredient: Be Challenged’s NESA Endorsed Programs
At Be Challenged, we’ve designed our school programs to map directly to teaching standards, ensuring compliance and relevance. Plus, Be Challenged is recognised as a provider of professional development programs by NESA in NSW; giving you confidence that your professional learning plan is in expert hands.

Let’s find the perfect blend for your professional development plan, one that supports your staff and enhances student outcomes in 2025. If you’re ready to start cooking up your school’s best professional development year yet? Click below to explore our programs and masterclasses.

Thanks,

Lisa Kelliher
Be Challenged | Head of People and Culture and Educational Consultant