Making It Stick: Professional Development Through Ongoing Support

Note: This resource is part of a self-reflection series focused on professional development. Read the rest of the series here.

In the resource, “Getting a Return on Your Investment in Professional Development: Putting Practices in Place that Yield Results,” I mentioned how “administrators frequently tell me that they spend a lot of money on professional development experiences for staff, yet they don’t feel like they receive a big return on that investment. Staff often come back from workshops excited, but that excitement seems to fade quickly and implementing what they learned is a rare occurrence.”

We expect staff to be learning during a professional development experience, such as a training where they are gaining new insights and knowledge. And we expect them to extend and apply that learning into their practices once they return from training. Yet, what was learned doesn’t often stick after the professional development is over. New knowledge and skills are more likely to persist when they are supported over time. Preparing staff for a professional development experience and then following-up with them afterward are two simple practices administrators can do to support and continue the learning. Each of these practices support the notion of Pedagogical Leadership (i.e., how administrators support teaching and learning).

Preparation for Professional Growth. The point of professional development opportunities is usually to help staff grow, which in turn, improves experiences for children and families. One way to help staff understand how a professional development experience directly impacts children and families is to emphasize this notion before the experience even begins. The previously shared resource, “Professional Development Travel and Work Release Request Form” offers strategies to help staff make this connection. This request form asks staff for general information about the professional development experience they are interested in. This helps them reflect on the purpose of the specific opportunity, create goals for the experience, think about how they will use the knowledge gained in their daily work, and consider how the experience will benefit the organization. Completing the form also helps build awareness about time commitment and cost, and reminds staff of the high value you place on their professional growth.

Follow-Up to Professional Growth. Another way to encourage the implementation of ideas and knowledge gleaned from professional development experiences is a post-professional development feedback or reflection form. For example, this Professional Development Feedback Form can be completed by staff after attending professional development opportunities. It includes questions related to their experience and questions about how they will integrate the learning into their work. The Learning Team Reflection Form is another form that is used as a follow-up after a professional development experience, such as a community of practice meeting. This form includes questions about team processes, participation, and future directions. Both forms encourage further thought about the experiences and how to apply what was learned, thus extending and building on knowledge and skills.

The resources provided in this blog are designed to be used by staff before and after a professional learning experience, making it more likely for what was learned to be incorporated into their work. Supervisors can also deepen the learning by meeting with staff to review these documents. By preparing staff for professional development and helping them reflect afterward, supervisors are encouraging staff to be intentional, make connections, continue building on what was learned, and bridge new knowledge to practice.

Points to Ponder

The process of reflection to prepare for and follow-up on professional development experiences is a way to help staff see the connection between their efforts and outcomes. The forms above guide such reflections. What else can you do to extend learning?

Want to learn about early childhood leadership topics in person? Let us bring the learning to you. Contact us about traveling training options.

Jill Bella, Ed.D., is Director of Professional Learning for the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership and Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at National Louis University (NLU). In these roles, she oversees professional learning, conducts research, and consults for local and state initiatives on the Early Childhood Work Environment Survey (ECWES), the Program Administration Scale (PAS), the Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS) and leadership topics in early care and education. Dr. Bella is also the co-author of several books and trainer’s guides including A Great Place to Work and Inspiring Peak Performance.

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Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship Recipient Monique Watts-Dennis Reflects on her Leadership Connections 2026 Experience

By Monique Watts-Dennis • June 10, 2026

Attending the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood's Leadership Connections conference as a recipient of the Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship was both an honor and a transformative experience. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in a conference that brought together passionate leaders from across the field of early childhood education, all dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children, families, and educators. Throughout the conference, I gained valuable insights from inspiring presenters and informative sessions that challenged me to reflect on my own leadership journey. The experience encouraged me to think beyond my daily responsibilities and consider how I can continue to grow as a leader while making a meaningful impact within my program, my community, and the early childhood profession as a whole. One moment, in particular, changed my outlook entirely. During the Leadership Colloquium, I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Teri Talan share her professional journey from the beginning of her career to where she is today. She shared a story about Paula Jorde Bloom , the founder of the McCormick Institute, asking her where she saw herself in the future. Teri responded that she saw herself working alongside Paula. Paula’s response was something along the lines of, “I have funding for one year, but after that, you’ll need to find grants to support your position.” That story resonated deeply with me. It was a reminder that opportunities often begin with a vision, but they grow through determination, persistence, and a willingness to advocate for what you believe is needed. That evening, I returned to my hotel room feeling inspired and energized; maybe a little too inspired. I immediately sent my Executive Director a proposal for a Family Support Specialist position and shared why I believe this role would benefit our center, our families, and our children along with why I should lead the creation of this role within our center. In that moment, I realized that leadership is not just about having ideas, it’s about taking action. Teri’s story and McCormick Institute Executive Director Dr. Lisa Downey’s words on prioritizing the needs of your child care center encouraged me to stop waiting for the “right time” and instead advocate for the changes I believe can make a meaningful difference. While the sessions provided valuable knowledge and inspiration, some of the most meaningful learning happened outside the conference rooms. Conversations during lunch, networking opportunities, and informal discussions with fellow providers and leaders about the knowledge we gained within sessions allowed me to hear different perspectives, share experiences, celebrate successes, and learn from the challenges others have faced, many are the same I am facing now. These connections reminded me that leadership is not something we do alone. The relationships formed throughout the conference created a sense of community and support that I carry with me. This experience also strengthened my confidence that I am exactly where I am meant to be. Supporting children, families, and educators has always been a passion of mine, but this conference helped me recognize the deeper purpose behind that work. It reminded me that every relationship built, every family supported, and every child encouraged has the potential to create lasting positive change. The work we do in early childhood education is foundational, and I am proud to be part of a profession that helps children thrive during some of the most important years of their lives. The knowledge, conversations, and relationships gained through Leadership Connections have reinforced my commitment to helping children thrive and empowering families to succeed. I have been inspired by the dedication, resilience, and passion of fellow leaders and encouraged to continue growing both personally and professionally so that I can better serve those who depend on me. I leave this experience feeling energized, motivated, and grateful. More importantly, I leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of my role as a leader in early childhood education. The lessons learned, relationships formed, and inspiration gained through this experience will continue to influence my work and leadership for years to come. As I end, I reflect on this year's conference theme, "ONWARD," I am reminded that growth is not a destination but a journey. To me, ONWARD represents resilience, purpose, and the commitment to keep moving forward even when challenges arise. This experience has provided me with new tools, fresh perspectives, meaningful connections, and renewed confidence in my work. For that, I am deeply thankful to the McCormick Institute and honored to have been selected as a Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship recipient. ONWARD! Learn more about the annual Leadership Connections national conference. The Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship Fund supports emerging and aspiring early childhood leaders who are dedicated to providing the highest quality care and education for children and families. Scholarship recipients receive complimentary full-conference registration to Leadership Connections, meals provided to conference registrants, and up to three nights lodging at the conference hotel.