Laughter Belongs in Professional Development
I’ve been in a lot of professional development sessions over the twenty years that I’ve been a teacher. Some inspiring, some informative, and some where I watched teachers quietly count ceiling tiles and check the clock.
And I’m always thinking the same thing:
We know how learning works… so why don’t we design PD that way?
I believe laughter belongs in professional development for the same reason it belongs in classrooms. When people feel relaxed, connected, and engaged, they learn more and they remember it!
That belief shapes how I speak, whether I’m working with a small school or a large education conference.
Teachers learn best the same way students do
One thing I remind audiences when I speak is this:
Teachers are learners, too.
We ask educators to create engaging, joyful classrooms for students, yet too often professional development looks nothing like the learning environments we want teachers to build.
Research shows that positive emotions support attention, memory, and learning, while stress and anxiety can interfere with retention. When people feel relaxed, safe, and engaged, they are more likely to absorb information and apply it later.
That’s why laughter matters.
I have found that a professional development session that includes humor and joy doesn’t just feel better. It helps teachers remember more and take more away from the experience.
What laughter does in a professional development setting
When I speak at schools, districts, or conferences, I watch the room shift in real time.
Laughter does a few critical things immediately:
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- It lowers stress and tension in the room
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- It builds trust between the audience and I
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- It signals to teachers that this space is safe and judgment-free
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- It opens people up to reflection and honest conversation
Once teachers are engaged emotionally, the learning sticks.
This is especially important for professional development speakers working with educators who are overwhelmed, exhausted, or burned out. Humor isn’t minimizing their experience… it’s honoring it!
Why unexpected moments matter (and why Ms. White exists)
When I come out as Ms. White, it’s unexpected.
That surprise is intentional.
It breaks the pattern of traditional PD and immediately captures attention. Teachers lean in. They laugh. And once they’re laughing, they’re listening.
For event planners searching for an education keynote speaker, this matters:
People remember experiences that feel different.
Humor becomes the hook, but the substance is what follows! Once the room is engaged, we dig into real conversations about classroom culture, expectations, and letting kids be kids while still maintaining high standards.
What schools get when they hire me as a speaker
If you’re a principal, district leader, or conference organizer looking for an education speaker, here’s what I bring to the stage:
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- A high-energy, engaging presentation teachers will enjoy
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- Humor that builds connection
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- Research-based ideas grounded in real classroom experience
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- A message teachers remember long after the session ends
Teachers leave laughing, but they also leave thinking differently about learning, engagement, and culture.
And that’s the goal.
Looking to book an education speaker?
If you’re searching for a professional development speaker for teachers who combines humor, heart, and practical insight, I’d love to connect.
Learn more about booking me to speak at your school or event Explore my book for a deeper dive into joy, engagement, and learning