This week, I read my friend Meghan Lawson’s blog, “A Note About First Days.” Her reflection on the importance of intentionally designing a meaningful first day and her mention of The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath reminded me of how much that book has influenced the way I think about learning, leadership, and the experiences we create for others.

One quote, in particular, came back to me: “We must learn to think in moments, to spot the occasions that are worthy of investment.”

That idea stayed with me as I reflected on our district’s recent professional learning experience, Summer Learning Camp 2026: Active Learning Lives Here.

This was my fourth summer organizing and facilitating the event in my current district, and I have had the opportunity to create similar experiences in other districts as well. Each year, I find myself falling in love with the process all over again.

Teachers come together by choice. They reconnect with colleagues, feel affirmed by the practices they are already implementing well, and leave excited to bring something new into their classrooms. There is thinking, learning, joy, and reflection woven throughout the day.

Planning an event like this often comes at a tricky time. Leaders are closing one school year while simultaneously preparing for summer and fall. Still, I wholeheartedly love planning these experiences because summer learning feels different. Educators seem to arrive a little lighter, a little more open, and ready to learn alongside one another.

In her blog, Meghan describes the intentionality behind creating a meaningful first day for new teammates. Her reflection reminded me that planning professional learning can feel a lot like planning a gathering for people you care about. You consider the atmosphere, the smallest details, the welcome, and the experience you hope people will carry with them long after the day is over. I highly recommend reading her post. Meghan is someone I deeply admire for the thoughtfulness and care she brings to everything she does. That is simply who she is. 

That said, I always begin with a theme and build the experience around it.

This year, our theme was Active Learning Lives Here. The learning centered on the idea that literacy is the foundation of learning across content areas and that the six components of our Portrait of a Graduate already live within our classrooms.

The theme appeared everywhere. It shaped the images, taglines, stickers, notebooks, folders, resources, room signs, and learning experiences. When teachers arrived, they were welcomed by a photo booth with a themed frame, a sparkly backdrop, and props. Of course, there were plenty of snacks, too.

But none of those details were included simply for decoration.

They were part of the message:

You matter.

Your learning matters.

This day was designed with you in mind.

These are the moments we create…the seemingly small details and interactions that communicate what we value before we ever say a word.

We began with a shared learning experience before teachers moved into breakout sessions facilitated by members of our own staff. I love creating opportunities to shine a light on the expertise already living within an organization. I still remember the people who recognized something in me, opened a door, and gave me the opportunity to share my thinking with others.

Those moments shaped me.

Now, I feel a responsibility to create those moments for someone else.

As I wrote in my book The Leader Inside:

“Leadership is not a title, but an opportunity to recognize the greatness that lives inside others.”

That is what thoughtful leadership can look like.

It is not always a grand gesture. Sometimes it is a handwritten note, a carefully designed folder, a meaningful conversation, or an invitation for someone to lead. Sometimes it is simply helping people recognize that the gifts, habits, and practices we are celebrating already live within them.

Chip and Dan Heath write:

“Defining moments shape our lives, but we don’t have to wait for them to happen. We can be the authors of them.”

As educators, we know that students deserve meaningful, joyful, and carefully designed learning experiences.

Teachers deserve them, too.

People may not remember every slide, activity, or resource from a professional learning day. They may not remember how long the event lasted.

But they will remember the moments that made them feel connected, capable, valued, and inspired.

Meghan’s “A Note About First Days” reminded me of The Power of Moments because first days matter. Professional learning days matter. Coaching conversations matter. Meetings matter. The way we welcome people into a space matters.

I believe the best leaders do not simply wait for meaningful moments to happen.

They recognize the moments worth investing in and then thoughtfully create them.