SimpleK12 Empowers Teachers at Notre Dame Catholic School

Notre Dame Catholic School in Spring Hill, Florida, faced significant challenges when it came to providing effective professional development (PD) for its educators. Principal Florie Buono knew her teachers needed PD not only for certification renewal but also to enhance their teaching effectiveness. However, the school’s remote location meant that attending in-person training required a three-hour round trip to Saint Petersburg, making it impractical and time-consuming.

The traditional model of PD available to Notre Dame’s teachers was not meeting their needs. The “one size fits all” approach of large group training sessions often left teachers feeling disengaged and unmotivated, as the content didn’t always align with their specific classroom needs. Buono needed a solution that would captivate and motivate her teachers while also being flexible enough to fit into their busy schedules.

Buono’s search for a better PD solution led her to SimpleK12, thanks to a recommendation from a guidance counselor and a teacher at her school who were already using the platform. SimpleK12 offered exactly what Buono was looking for: live instructor-led sessions, on-demand training, and 60-minute workshops that educators could access at their convenience. The platform’s user-friendly design and relevant, high-quality content created by teachers for teachers convinced Buono that SimpleK12 was the perfect fit for her school.

“The flexibility of SimpleK12 is amazing. They can do it on the weekend. If they want to give up a Saturday to do some professional development … You’d be surprised how many teachers do that.”

Since introducing SimpleK12 to her teachers, Buono has seen a remarkable transformation. Teachers are more motivated and engaged, diving enthusiastically into the training and emerging with innovative ideas for their classrooms. The convenience of 30-minute webinars, the relevance of the content, and the ability to learn from educators still active in the field have all contributed to this positive shift.

Buono noted, “No.1 is time. No.2 is motivation. The teachers are excited about being able to do it on their own time. The flexibility of SimpleK12 is amazing.”

Teachers at Notre Dame have embraced the platform, with many sharing positive feedback. One teacher mentioned, “I like SimpleK12 because of the variety of topics. I also appreciate the fact that I can download the app and listen to a session on my phone just about anywhere.” Another teacher added, “Each session is only 30 minutes in length, making it more manageable. If I wanted to delve into the topic deeper, I can choose another session about the same topic.”

The introduction of SimpleK12 at Notre Dame Catholic School has not only saved time and resources but has also lifted the morale of the teaching staff. Teachers are now more energized, equipped with best practices, and eager to apply what they’ve learned in their classrooms. The success of SimpleK12 at Notre Dame is a testament to the power of flexible, relevant, and teacher-centered professional development.

Buono’s advice to other educators and administrators is clear: “Find it, dive in, do it… it’s worth it. SimpleK12 will be with us going forward.”