Transform your Professional Growth One Day at a Time

Eva Harvell, Director of Technology, Pascagoula-Gautier School District

As I was transitioning from Technology Integration Specialist to Director of Technology over a decade ago, I discovered a way that allowed me to grow professionally without taking over my calendar. Brad Currie's concept of using just 100 minutes weekly (or 20 minutes daily) for focused professional development has become the cornerstone of my growth as an educator.

In our field—whether you're a teacher, administrator, or technology director—finding time for professional development often feels impossible. Yet the thought of just 20 minutes daily is quite doable. When consistently scheduled, these brief sessions can add up to some awesome professional learning opportunities. In fact, you would gain approximately 72 hours of professional development over a typical 10-month school year!

According to Mary Burns in her October 2024 blog post 4 Universal Principles for Effective Teacher PD on ASCD's website, meaningful professional development must satisfy four essential principles:

1. Make PD relevant

2. Make PD collaborative

3. Make PD continuous

4. Empower teachers

Dedicating just 20 minutes daily can fulfill all four principles— if you're intentional about your focus areas and learning approaches. But where do you begin? That overwhelming question is what I want to address. Here are four powerful ways to focus your daily 20-minute professional growth commitment.

Listen and Learn: The Power of Podcasts

When it comes to maximizing those 20-minute learning intervals, educational podcasts have become my go-to resource. Podcasts support Burns' principles of continuity and relevance by delivering targeted content. I've even had the opportunity to share insights on two podcasts—Teachers on Fire (http://bit. ly/42KS2jM) and EdTech Chat Radio (https://bit.ly/42IVg7n).

“Just 20 minutes a day, consistently scheduled, can transform impossible professional development into 72 hours of growth over a 10-month school year—small steps, big impact”

Podcasts transform otherwise unproductive moments— walking, commuting, or preparing for the day—into valuable learning opportunities. My 30-minute drive to work guarantees I never miss an episode from my favorites:

Education-Focused Recommendations:

● Teachers on Fire

● The House of EdTech

● Cult of Pedagogy

Growth Mindset Recommendations:

● The Mindset Mentor

● The Ed Mylett Show

Read to Grow: Books and Blogs

If auditory learning isn't your preference, dedicating 20 minutes daily to reading books and blog posts offers another pathway to Burns' principle of relevant, continuous learning. Educational blogs provide concise, timely insights into specific practice areas:

Tech-Focused Blogs:

● Shake Up Learning

● Ditch That Textbook

Subject-Specific Resources:

● Make Math Moments (mathematics)

● Mr. and Mrs. Social Studies (social studies)

Don't overlook the power of books! The Corwin Connected Educators Series particularly stands out—these volumes contain fewer than 100 pages yet deliver practical techniques and resources across various educational topics.

Resource-Sharing Tip: Rather than building a personal library, collaborate with your administration to establish a faculty book room. Use available teacher funds to purchase professional development books for checkout.

Navigate Social Media Strategically

The third approach to 20-minute professional development— provided you avoid "doom scrolling"—is social media. Platforms like LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram can become valuable professional learning environments when approached with intention.

LinkedIn offers far more than job opportunities! Focus your follows on organizations and thought leaders like AI for Education, ASCD, Education Technology Insights, and specific educational programs aligned with your goals. You might even connect with me—Eva Harvell!

Both LinkedIn and X allow hashtag searches, functioning like virtual file folders that organize content by topic. For example, educators interested in policy might explore #edpolicy, #edupolicy, or #educationpolicy. Instagram delivers educational insights through visually engaging, concise posts:

Instagram Accounts Worth Following:

● Common Sense Education (digital citizenship)

● Edutopia (general education)

● JakeMillerEdu or TechTeachGrow (educational technology)

Critical for success: Enter each social media session with a specific learning objective. Without this focus, your 20 minutes can quickly disappear without meaningful professional growth.

Connect and Collaborate: Conferences and Webinars

While the fourth approach may exceed your daily 20 minutes, conferences and webinars powerfully fulfill Burns' principle of collaboration. These opportunities connect you with fellow educators while expanding your professional horizons.

When possible, attend national conferences like FETC, ISTE, or CoSN. Pro tip: Many events offer discounted registration for presenters—consider sharing your knowledge to make attendance more affordable!

If travel isn't part of the school’s budget, webinars provide accessible alternatives, often at no cost:

● EdWeb

● Digital Summit by Ditch That Textbook

● Make Math Moments These virtual events allow you to learn without leaving your classroom or home.

Implementing Your 20-Minute Personalized PD Plan

Where should you begin? Follow these steps to launch your professional development plan:

1. Schedule wisely: Block your daily 20 minutes on your calendar— ideally at the same time each day to establish routine.

2. Be picky: Don't attempt to implement every suggestion. Select two or three approaches that align with your learning preferences and professional goals.

3. Reflect often: Professional development transcends passive consumption. Process your learning through journaling, self-reflection, or knowledge-sharing with colleagues.

It's crazy to think that between August and May, you could accumulate 72 hours of meaningful professional development through this simple daily practice. The impact compounds over time, transforming both your professional capabilities and classroom outcomes.

I have my next podcast queued and ready for tomorrow's commute. How will you invest your 20 minutes today?

EdTech

Educational Technology