After a long day of teaching, it can feel like a great hurdle to add just one more task to the to-do list: attending mandatory PD sessions or departmental meetings. I’m here to give you some tips on how to make the most of that time, so you can start to own it and make it your own, personally meaningful experience.

• Take notes. There is a reason why we ask our students to take notes, and we should do the same during learning experiences in which we are the student. Note-taking will help you pay attention. You can decide what to do with the notes afterwards, whether that means archiving them or discarding them.

•Doodle! Doodling can help you focus, especially if the PD is lecture-heavy.

•Try sitting with someone new, or inviting someone new to sit with your usual group! PDs, when done well, should be an exchange of ideas. When new ideas come together, excitement is born. As an added bonus, you are exposing yourself to a variety of perspectives, which will make you a stronger teacher.

•Ask questions. Don’t worry if it seems silly. Give yourself the same grace you give your students when you are unsure of something in a PD session. You might learn something new. Plus, asking questions shows you are engaged and care about the subject.

If your PDs are online, try the following tips:

• set screen time limits for other apps so you are not tempted to glance at them!

• Get up and stretch

• Drink plenty of water

• Snack a little off screen if possible

• Dress the part. You will be in a more professional mindset if you’re not in pajama bottoms, even though your colleagues don’t know!

I hope you find this post helpful and inspiring so that you can take charge of your learning and make the most of mandatory PD sessions or meetings.