speaker | Kelly Croy

Leaders invest in many things. They invest in their personal growth, new initiatives, cutting-edge technology, and strategies to stay ahead. But too often, they overlook the most important investment of all—their team.

A team is the engine that drives any organization forward. Without a strong, empowered, and well-equipped team, even the best plans will fall short. Leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room or having all the answers. It’s about developing and supporting the people around you so they can achieve their highest potential.

Understanding Your Team’s Needs

The first step in investing in your team is understanding what they truly need. Too often, leaders assume they know what’s best without taking the time to listen. Your team’s needs aren’t just about tools or policies—they’re about growth, learning, and feeling valued.

Ask yourself and ask your team:

• Does my team have access to the training and development they need to improve?

• Are they engaged and inspired, or just showing up?

• What barriers are holding them back from performing at their best?

• How can I help them grow as professionals and individuals?

• What support do they feel they need.

Pat Adkins, superintendent at Port Clinton City Schools does a great job with these questions. He offers 3-4 “Leadership Academies” for his team to learn and grow after having his team complete an interest survey. He also, regularly provides the district with speakers and events that is second-to-none. What a great example of investing in your team!

Ways to Invest in Your Team

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to team investment, but there are many ways to provide meaningful support and development:

Joe Miller, Founder of PC SEL Symposium

1. Provide Professional Development Opportunities

Encourage growth by offering training, conferences, and mentorship programs. Invest in their skills so they can become better at what they do. A book study, online course, or even bringing in a guest speaker can spark new ideas and motivation. My colleague, Chelsea Moyer and I offer all day inservices, after school trainings, personalized small group or 1:1 trainings, as well as a rich on-demand video archive.

We are proud of our collaborative leadership philosophy. Our best ideas come from our teachers and we are eager to support their passion. Last Friday, Joe Miller, Port Clinton High School Teacher and founder of our Port Clinton SEL Symposium led an amazing SEL opportunity that is expanding and evolving each year. It was one of the most memorable days of the year. Joe crushed it and changed lives. What a day! Great speakers! Great learning! Thank you, Joe Miller. Find out more here.

2. Make Learning a Priority

Create a culture where continuous learning is part of the job. Whether it’s a dedicated time for collaboration, access to industry insights, or leadership training, ensure learning is embedded in your team’s routine. Port Clinton City Schools has “Relentless Pursuit of Growth” built right into its core beliefs, and we live it. It’s not always easy, but it is always worthwhile. Some schools host book studies. Micro learning is also awesome. Just start!

3. Open Conversations & Remove Barriers

Sometimes, the best investment is simply making space for real conversations. Ask for honest feedback, address concerns, and foster an environment where your team feels heard and valued. When we ask and listen to those on the frontlines of our organization and provide support and let them lead… amazing things happen.

4. Equip Them with the Right Resources

It’s not enough for a team to function—they need the right tools to thrive. Whether it’s technology, additional staffing, or time to focus on growth, make sure they have what they need to succeed. It’s not expensive… it’s priceless. Our treasurer, Jeff Dornbusch works hard to be an excellent steward of our funds and provide teachers and leaders what they need. It is amazing.

5. Celebrate & Recognize Growth

Investing in your team isn’t just about skills—it’s about confidence, morale, and engagement. Acknowledge their progress, celebrate wins, and remind them their work makes a difference.

This is without a doubt my favorite part of my job; I love to celebrate and promote our amazing staff and all that we accomplish. I truly believe we become what we celebrate! We become what we talk about!

When you invest in your team, you’re not just improving performance—you’re creating a culture of excellence. And when your team grows, their impact expands beyond your organization, reaching the lives of those they serve. A leader’s success isn’t measured by personal achievements but by the success of those they lead.

Our building leadership: Gary Steyer, Adam Hicks, Denny Antonelli, Jen Dackermann, Morgan Siefke, Amanda Mooney, and Kendra VanDoren are excellent examples of leaders investing in their teams. I love their creative ideas and willingness to listen to others and support them.

Make investing in your team a priority, and watch the difference it makes.

I am honored and flattered to have been part of the investment in districts’ teams as an opening day speaker or part of other training. It is something I do not take lightly and work hard to excel at and deliver results & the feel-goods. Thank you to the many districts and conferences that have invited me to be a part of their investment.

Always forward,

Kelly

I would like to speak at your event!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker
Twitter: @kellycroy
Instagram: @kcroy
Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com
Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast
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August 28th was one of those special days that remind us all why we chose education. This year, I had the privilege of kicking off the school year at Lincolnview School District in Ohio, where I was invited by Curriculum Director Kelly Looser to deliver a keynote that set the tone for an incredible year ahead.

The theme? “Teachers are Legends.” This message resonates deeply with me because, in truth, educators are shaping the future, classroom by classroom. Lincolnview dedicated an inservice day to this important work, and I had the honor of delivering an inspiring keynote and leading breakout sessions focused on mindfulness, self-care, and leadership tailored for teachers, administrators, and the students they serve. Each person left with something powerful to bring back to their school year, their colleagues, and, most importantly, their students.

Keynote Presentation: “Teachers Are Legends”
The day began with an energizing icebreaker session led by Kelly Looser, bringing everyone together and creating an open, positive atmosphere. Shortly after, I took the stage to deliver the keynote, “Teachers are Legends.” In a world that often overlooks the dedication, skill, and heart it takes to be an educator, we emphasized the essential role that teachers play. I encouraged each educator to recognize the impact they make daily–not only on their students’ minds but on their hearts. I highlighted that our impact is often situational and at any given moment, when we step up, we can leave a lasting impact on a student’s life. I challenged everyone in the sports area to accept the challenge to see the greatness in every child and the greatness in every colleague.

Together, we explored the concept of intentional leadership and how it’s woven into every interaction teachers have. Teachers are heroes in a multitude of small, meaningful ways, and those actions compound over time. I invited each attendee to see themselves as champions, inspiring confidence and ambition in the students they teach. The energy was contagious, and it’s safe to say we all left with a renewed sense of purpose and pride in our work.

Breakout Sessions: Fostering Mindfulness, Self-Care, and Leadership

1. Mindfulness and Self-Care for Teachers (One for Elementary Grade-Bands and another for Secondary Grade-Bands):
Educators are all too familiar with the demands and stresses that come with the territory. In these sessions, we discussed the power of mindfulness–how taking a few moments to breathe, reflect, and reset can make all the difference. Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for effective teaching and sustainable joy in the profession. Teachers were given strategies to weave mindfulness into their daily routines and a toolkit for modeling self-care for students, promoting a healthier classroom environment. Teachers were also given a new perspective and questions in which to explore their learning environment and life. I leaned heavily on my work from my book Unthink Before Bed that helps everyone build the skills they need to confront and cope with anxiety, frustration and overwhelm.

2. Leadership for Administrators: Building Schools on the 6 Tenets of Leadership
Administrators joined a session focused on building and sustaining a powerful leadership culture rooted in the six tenets of leadership I discuss in my book, Along Came a Leader. These tenets–attitude, communication, tenacity, vision, authenticity, and accountability–are more than words; they’re guiding principles for meaningful change. We examined how school leaders can instill these values across teams, creating schools where everyone feels valued and empowered. We worked hard to on the perspective on empathy in helping build a learning environment that allows our staff and students to become their best. Leaders also face an incredible amount of pressure and workload; we worked on applicable strategies to help.

It was incredible to see teachers and administrators embrace these concepts and understand their ripple effect on students, families, and the community.

A Great Day of Learning, Inspiration, and Connection
The response from the educators and leaders at Lincolnview was touching. There was genuine excitement in the air, and a multitude of attendees lined up to get their copies of Along Came a Leader signed, eager to dive deeper into the six tenets of leadership. Many educators also picked up copies of Unthink Before Bed to bring mindful bedtime routines home to their families. It’s always a pleasure to see educators looking not only to inspire their students but also to enrich their lives and the lives of those they love.

The Lasting Impact of Intentional Leadership in Education
When a school invests in leadership development, mindfulness, and self-care, everyone benefits:

– Teachers gain resilience and feel appreciated, supported, and motivated.
– Administrators build cohesive, effective teams and nurture a positive culture.
– Students develop character, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for learning.
– Families see the values of leadership and mindfulness reinforced in their children’s lives.

The work we do in education is challenging, yet every effort to uplift and empower educators has exponential rewards for future generations.

I’m passionate about helping school districts celebrate and elevate their teachers. If your district is looking for a powerful start to your year or would like to focus on building leadership and mindful practices, I’d be honored to bring this message to your community.