How many times have you groaned about sitting through professional development? How do you feel about a parade of presenters telling you yet another way you can do your job? Do you get excited about trainings? About conferences? About the newest in education-related publications?

Admit it. You have been part of a conversation or two that has scoffed at “PD.” It comes with the job, right?

I’m afraid I don’t have an answer to the onslaught of professional development that most teachers in most districts experience. It’s part of the cycle. However, I have developed a certain method for making any training or professional development experience more meaningful, and more enjoyable, too! It comes straight out of my theatre arts class.

I teach improvisational theatre to my students. One of our basic tenets of improvisation is the idea of “Yes, and…” Here is what Wikipedia says about this mindset:

“Yes, and…”, also referred to as “Yes, and…” thinking, is a rule-of-thumb in improvisational comedy that suggests that a participant should accept what another participant has stated (“yes”) and then expand on that line of thinking (“and”). It is also used in business and other organizations as a principle that improves the effectiveness of the brainstorming process, fosters effective communication, and encourages the free sharing of ideas.” (For a good article that explains it more fully along with videos, go here.)

You see, “Yes, and…” is a great way to manage any professional development. You say “yes” to the idea being shared, truly considering it, and then you add your thoughts and ideas to incorporate it and expand upon it. It works. It’s engagement. Imagine if all of our students had a “yes, and…” attitude!

“Yes, and…” gives value to both the new idea and your own ideas, too. I have begun using this attitude myself in any situation that requires me to deal with opposing or conflicting ideas. I don’t immediately shut off communications. This change of attitude has really paid off for me recently. The big “Aha!” moment came to me in Tangier, Morocco, during my international field experience with Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms (a program you should definitely check out- here).

You see, traveling to North Africa to learn about the Moroccan education system and culture was not a glorified vacation. It was work! It was often eighteen-hour days filled with tours, hikes, co-teaching, interviews, and language mix-ups. It was challenging and exhausting. There were definitely moments where I wanted to shut out the new and different and just be the old me. Then I realized – quite suddenly – that I had to “Yes, and..” this whole experience. So, I got myself up, dusted myself off, and posed for some more pictures, shook some more hands, and stumbled through another multilingual conversation. (Want to see how this adventure played out, check out my travel blog- here.)

From there on out it was a blast! I had no reason not to be all in. I accepted all the new learning, realized it was mine for the taking, and added my own input at will. It was not being done to me. I was part of it. Yes, I was having to adapt to new ideas, and I was shaping those new ways with my own experience and creative input.

We know that a productive and positive mindset is crucial for learning. Do we apply this to just our students? What about us? We need to think positively and absorb what we can use in every learning opportunity. Think about that at your next dose of professional development.

Shameless plug time: There is an amazing learning opportunity on our horizon. The Washington Teachers Advisory Council is hosting their third conference next month. This conference takes place at beautiful Cedarbrook Lodge in Seatac on May 4th and 5th. Lodging included, it will cost you only $100-125 to attend, which is a steal! At this conference, you will encounter an all-star lineup of presenters, panelists, and speakers, including 2019 WA Teacher of the Year Robert Hand and 2018 National Teacher of the Year Mandy Manning. Sessions will include topics like transforming special education inclusion practices, educating to advocate, innovating education with STEAM, social emotional learning and character education, and much more.

You should begin your professional development mindset shift by saying YES to learning from the best educators in your region, AND sharing your own innovative ideas as well. To register, go here.

Do you have any “Yes, and…” experiences to share? I would love to hear about them. Please comment below.