How to Invest in Your Team

In the world of education, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day urgency of lesson plans, testing schedules, and student needs. But great school leaders know that strong outcomes don’t come from top-down mandates or quick fixes—they come from investing in the people who drive learning forward every single day.

Whether you’re a principal, instructional coach, or team lead, your teachers and staff are your most valuable asset. The question is: are you treating them like it?

Here’s how—and why—you should be investing in your team this year.

Why It Matters

When you invest in your team’s professional growth, you’re not just checking a box—you’re building capacity, trust, and momentum. Research shows that professional development improves educator retention, deepens instructional practice, and contributes to school-wide innovation.

More importantly, it shows your team that they matter. And when educators feel seen, valued, and supported, they bring that same energy into their classrooms and student relationships.

Investing in your team isn't a luxury—it's a long-term strategy for school transformation.

How to Get Started

1. Create Space for Professional Learning

Time is not a barrier—priority is.

Educators are busy. But when professional development is squeezed between staff meetings or added to the end of a long day, it’s unlikely to inspire meaningful change. Leaders who invest in their teams create intentional time and space for learning to happen.

This might look like:

• Building in monthly PD half-days

• Hosting mini “learning sprints” during team meetings

• Using asynchronous masterclasses that staff can complete at their own pace

Catapult’s on-demand programs are built with that flexibility in mind, allowing your team to grow without burning out.

2. Offer Learning That’s Actually Relevant

One of the most common objections to PD is, “It doesn’t apply to me.”

We know your team doesn’t need another theoretical lecture or one-size-fits-all training. What they do need is professional learning that connects directly to their work: career-connected learning, real-world readiness, student engagement, employer partnerships, and modern instructional design.

By offering learning that’s both timely and tailored, you show your team you value their time and their professional goals.

At Catapult, every masterclass is built to be actionable, inspiring, and deeply relevant to today’s educational landscape.

3. Bring in Fresh Voices

Sometimes the best way to re-energize a team is to expose them to new ideas. Outside voices can challenge assumptions, unlock creativity, and provide fresh perspective on persistent challenges.

Whether it’s a dynamic keynote speaker, a specialized masterclass facilitator, or a tactical expert who’s been in the field, fresh voices make space for growth.

Catapult’s speakers aren’t just inspirational—they’re education disruptors. They’ve led change in schools, colleges, and systems, and they know what works. Every speaker we work with is handpicked for their ability to shift paradigms and spark momentum.

4. Empower Individuals to Own Their Growth

Investing in your team doesn’t always mean doing everything for them.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is give team members permission to pursue learning that excites them.

Let them choose the topics, the pace, and the pathway. This autonomy builds motivation, ownership, and deeper application.

A Catapult membership offers exactly that: unlimited access to a full year of masterclasses, tools, and community learning for educators who are ready to take initiative in their own growth.

5. Build a Culture of Learning

Professional learning should be more than a checkbox—it should be part of your culture.

When growth is expected, celebrated, and woven into the rhythms of your team, everyone levels up. Talk about what you’re learning. Highlight breakthroughs. Share wins. Encourage experimentation.

Leaders set the tone. If you want your team to invest in their own learning, model that commitment yourself. Take a masterclass. Join a coaching session. Start a conversation.

When leaders learn, teams follow.

Investing in Your Team Is Investing in Your Students

The students in your building deserve educators who are energized, equipped, and evolving. One of the best ways to make that happen is by investing in the people who show up for them every day.

Whether it’s giving your team more voice, better tools, or time to grow—every investment you make in your people has ripple effects far beyond the walls of your office.

And the best part: You don’t have to do it alone.

👉 Explore Catapult’s on-demand masterclasses and annual memberships to start investing in your team in ways that matter.

Let’s Make Education Relevant®—together.