Theory of Change
There are five traditional professional development options that we educators normally deploy:
Webinars provide information
Keynotes inspire and motivate
Conferences facilitate networking and program sharing
Trainings teach tactics
Strategic Planning identifies goals and metrics
And yes, each has core benefits.
But to move the needle, they are insufficient.
In three pivotal ways, these approaches fail.
Traditional professional development options do not:
1
Advance individualized education
2
Strengthen commitment for holistic, career-connected education
3
Change institutional culture
The desire for these three outcomes drove the creation of Catapult. To achieve these outcomes, we didn't just need better speakers, different programs, or stronger assessments. We needed a new model for professional development and a revolutionary approach to hybrid-flexible learning.
Leveraging over 20 years in educational transformation, Dr. Kevin J. Fleming conducted extensive research, including dozens of interviews and focus groups, to identify the 12 elements required for professional development to effectively advance systemic, institution-wide commitments and culture change.
Truly effective professional development must:
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be a shared experience
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clarify the Why
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be presented in diverse ways from different voices
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be informed by external subject matter experts
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take place over time
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have a student-centered systems focus
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be rooted in learning science and an inquiry-based approach (reflection and practice)
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be cohort-based
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have local applicability with follow-up and accountability
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result in tactics and/or planning
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have a strong ROI
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be offered in a hybrid-flexible format
Catapult was created for educators by educators using these twelve approaches as the bedrock for our entire model. While Catapult masterclasses inform, motivate, and inspire individuals every day, it is at the institutional level that these twelve elements begin to alter mindsets, metrics, and educational relevance itself.
By design, each Catapult masterclass goes beyond traditional webinars and virtual conferences by leveraging the best of synchronous, asynchronous, virtual, and in-person andragogy.
Catapult’s innovative approach braids together the best of learning science, organizational change, hybrid-flexible learning modality, subject matter expertise, and strategic planning. Our Model for Institutional Change is below. Within each masterclass, the steps in red are provided by Catapult and institutional actions are noted in blue.
Our Model for Institutional Change contains seven steps:
Step 1: Prepare for Success
A Leader's Guide and pre-masterclass orientation outlines all expectations, timelines, program options, and the support of your dedicated Success Coach.
Step 2: Dynamic Keynotes
Each masterclass presentation is made available to all employees on-demand. This equitable access is for all teachers, full-time and part-time faculty, classified professionals, staff, administrators, and elected Board members, regardless of classification or scope.
Each paradigm-shifting masterclass is coupled with a unique interactive Playbook to increase employee engagement, learning, meaningful reflection, practice, and tactical planning. Personally curated with each speaker, Catapult provides relevant implementation guidance.
Step 4: Team Debrief
Brief huddles shall be coordinated for each institution's Implementation Team. This will help identify key points and questions from the masterclass in preparation for the individual coaching calls or Live Q&A sessions.
Step 5: Collect Feedback
Feedback is solicited from all employees to members of the Implementation Team to afford a constant feedback loop between front-line employees, the planning of tactics by the Team, and each Catapult speaker.
Step 6: Tailored Coaching Call or Q&A
A local Implementation Team (comprised of 5-12 people, identified by the institution) will also receive a 30-minute, institution-specific coaching session by each speaker and your dedicated Catapult Success Coach. The goal for each coaching session is to identify a few specifically tailored tactics for effective progress forward, in alignment with your strategic plan. Brief coaching sessions ensure ongoing accountability, deep learning, and tactical planning that's too often absent from other PD models. Alternatively, institutions may opt for a Live Q&A session open to the entire community.
At the conclusion of your masterclass, Implementation Teams summarize their future planning steps during a final Debrief Session facilitated by your Catapult Success Coach. Institutions also receive lifetime access to asynchronous cohort support within our platform. Each institution will continue to receive motivation and transformational support as they identify and implement the right sequential step(s) forward with intentionally.
The Results
You get: An expert-informed, research-guided, mission-aligned, shared experience resulting in
broader buy-in, galvanized support, and meaningful learning.
Your institution gets: A focused plan with germane next steps and an incredible ROI.
Individual employees get: Paradigm-changing approaches and an opportunity to grow and contribute.
All without leaving your classrooms, departments, or families.
