Goal Setting

Goal Setting Resources for School Leaders

Clear goals give staff direction and a shared sense of purpose. These resources help school leadership set goals with their team and track progress together.

An orange notebook with two notecards on it, three small notecards, blue pens, and blue tape dispenser lay on a pink background.
An orange notebook with two notecards on it, three small notecards, blue pens, and blue tape dispenser lay on a pink background.

5-Minute Professional Development Ideas for Teachers

Five simple, low-prep ideas for supporting staff growth and building confidence throughout the year.
5 min
Two women sit at a table looking at each other and smiling. Pens, paper and coffee cups are on the table. There is a shelf with books and school supplies in the background.

One-on-One Meeting Template for Principals

A simple way to connect, listen, and grow with your team.
15 min
A piece of paper that says "attendance bingo" lays on a desk with a calendar and open laptop.

8 Staff Attendance Incentives that Build Belonging

Options to turn consistent attendance into a shared moment of team recognition.
Ongoing
Three sheets of paper that say "team value ideas" streamers, sticky notes, and tape lay on a green background.

Establish Your Team Values

A collaborative staff activity that gets everyone on the same page from day one.
30–45 min
Two sheets of paper, pencil, and timer lay on an orange tray on a light blue background.

Expertise Exchange, Speed Round

A professional development activity where staff pair up to learn from each other.
20-30 min
Two women sit at a table with pens in hands. they write on notecards.

Quick Quarterly Questions Icebreaker

A quick staff icebreaker activity for reflecting on quarterly wins, goals, and gratitude.
15-20 min
Four women stand in front of a yellow wall placing sticky notes under pieces of paper that say "start, stop, continue."

A School Staff Exercise: Start, Stop, Continue

A start, stop, continue template that invites big conversations.
15 min
A man sits at a wood desk with pens, a coffee cup, and sheets of paper on it. He holds two pieces of paper in his hands.

SMART Goals for Teachers and Staff

A practical guide for leading goal-setting conversations that help staff grow, stay focused, and feel supported all year long.
20-30 min
Sheet of paper, clipboard with a sheet of paper, notecards, marker, scissors and sticky-notes lay on a pink background.

Two-Minute Teaching: A Video Reflection Practice

A structured, low-pressure way to build a culture of reflection without the weight of formal observation.
30 min
A card that says "question bank", notecard and part of a clipboard lays on a light blue background.

Classroom Walkthrough Tips for School Leaders

A guide to making quick, 5-10 minute classroom walkthroughs count.
5-10 min
Three sheets of paper with lists of ideas are on a white bulletin board. A blue boarder and markers are around them.

35 Fun-Raisers for School Spirit

Ideas organized by category, from big events to quick wins, ready to help schools raise money.
Varies
A laptop screen with Claude on it. A hand reaches near the screen.

Using AI to Lighten Your Leadership Load

Draft staff messages, summarize long reports, prep for meetings, and turn voice notes into action lists.
Ongoing
A sheet of paper with stars taped around it is on a white bulletin board. Two hands reach in and place more stars.

Staff Collaboration Activity: School Hack Day

A team building activity for teachers to brainstorm challenges and choose ideas to put into action.
45-60 min
Several sheets of paper with large words on them lay on a pink background.

Purpose Paves the Way

A quick team building activity for teachers using a shared staff bulletin board.
5 min
A stack of books and a sheet of paper lay on a yellow table.

Staff Book Club

A staff book club gives your team a low-key way to explore new ideas, spark conversation, and grow together professionally.
20-30 min
A woman sits at a wooden desk with a jar of markers and potted plant on it. She has a piece of paper and notecard in front of her and she is writing on them.

Growth Goal Quick Check

Turn a quick hallway chat into a moment for reflection and support.
3-5 min
One hand reaches in to hand a hand-written note to another hand.

Growth Goal Celebration Shoutouts

A teacher recognition idea for principals: turn quick growth check-ins into staff shoutouts.
5 min
Someone holds a peach water bottle in their hands.

The PD Cafe: Wellness and Growth

A PD activity where staff choose a quick reset to an ongoing habit each week.
15-20 min
Two women sit at a wooden table with an open laptop between them. They write on pieces of paper in front of them.

The PD Cafe: Technology and Innovation

A menu-style PD activity that lets staff test new tools and tricks.
15-20 min
A woman stands writing at a whiteboard. Another woman sits at a table and makes notes in a small notebook.

The PD Cafe: Instructional Practices

An activity to develop professional development ideas for teachers.
15-20 min
A woman sits next to bookshelves as a table writing on a piece of paper.

The PD Cafe: Equity and Inclusion

A PD exercise to build culturally responsive teaching skills.
15-20 min
A woman sits at a desk with headphones on. She writes on a piece of paper on a clipboard.

Treats & Tidbits: Using Podcasts to Encourage Growth

A low-prep professional development idea teachers will love.
Ongoing
A laptop, set of gray over-the-ear headphones and two sheets of paper lay on a wood table.

Staff Podcast Picks

A collaborative activity where staff share podcast episodes focused on personal and professional growth.
10-15 min

Staff Wellness Challenge

A point-based wellness challenge that supports staff wellbeing through daily habits.
Ongoing
Two people stand in front of yellow lockers and their hands exchange notecards.

Staff Idea Swap Cards

A quick peer PD activity where staff fill out cards sharing a strategy, tool, or idea that has been working in their classroom.
10-15 min
A small trophy and prize cards lay in a blue tray on a desk.

Mission Accomplished: Celebrate School Goals

Easy, low-cost ways to celebrate school-wide goals and recognize student and staff effort.
Varies
A hand writes with a green pen on a small postcard on a desk filled with office supplies, a cup of coffee, and small plant.

Postcard Goal Check

A goal setting activity that celebrates little wins and big plans.
5 min
A woman sits as a table completing a bingo card.

Professional Growth Bingo

An activity to encourage your staff to try new professional growth ideas.
Ongoing
A hand writes on a piece of paper that lays on a wood table with an open laptop and notebook nearby.

Strategies to Maximize Your Day as a School Leader

A practical time management approach for school leaders.
Ongoing
A hand reaches across a messy desk to pace a notecard near a pencil holder.

5-Minute Personal Growth Ideas for School Leaders

Five quick, low-prep ideas principals can use to support professional growth.
5 minutes

Explore other collections

Staff Meetings

96 resources

Back to School

40 resources

Professional Development

51 resources

Anytime

164 resources

Teacher Appreciation Week

28 resources

Big Changes

20 resources

Early Childhood

11 resources

High School

198 resources

Little Wins Newsletter

Join 15,000+ school leaders finding their next little win.