About the Podcast
Essential PD
Flexible, Actionable Professional Development for K-12 Teachers
Whether you are tuning in for inspiration, practical strategies, or to earn PD credit, Essential PD will help you grow! Kait, an actual classroom teacher, and Samantha, an actual school administrator, talk openly with guests who actually work with students! From classroom management to mental health, from tech integration to behavior and curriculum design, each episode features valuable insights and actionable advice. In our signature segment "Ten Minute Try On" our guests guide us through ways to try out new strategies with just ten minutes or less! Essential PD is designed to leave you feeling motivated, empowered, and inspired to make an impact, all on your schedule. Pop in your headphones while you tidy up your classroom, or finally check your mailbox, you will be earning PD credit every step of the way!
About your hosts
Kaitlyn Skat
As a teacher, Kait has worked across grade levels and in diverse school settings since she started teaching in 2020. (Yeah, her first year was in the middle of a global pandemic.) Kait has hobbies like hosting and cooking and swearing she's going to take up reading. She enjoys true crime podcasts and drinking iced coffee. What she does not enjoy is sitting in a busy cafeteria on a Wednesday afternoon trying to listen to a presenter while being mentally exhausted and desperately needing to see the sun. That is how Essential PD started.
Samantha Patterson
Samantha has devoted nearly 20 years to public education, bringing her expertise and passion to teaching music across all levels—elementary, middle, high school, and collegiate settings. As a former union leader and a current school-based administrator, she is committed to supporting educators by delivering meaningful and practical professional development that addresses the needs of busy teachers and their students. Samantha’s dedication to fostering growth and learning in both students and educators has been a cornerstone of her career.