Professional Learning Framework for Sustainable School Growth

Strategic professional development that moves beyond one-time training and builds systems that last.

Strategic Professional Development That Sparks Growth and Sustains Momentum

Today’s classrooms are evolving and so must the professional learning that supports them. Empowire’s work is anchored in the LEAP + SPARK Framework™, a research-informed professional learning framework designed to help K–12 schools move from isolated PD sessions to aligned, sustainable systems of growth.

Whether partnering with district leadership or facilitating educator learning, we don’t deliver standalone workshops, we design professional development systems that support implementation, reflection, and measurable impact over time.

What Makes the LEAP + SPARK Framework™ Different?

The LEAP + SPARK Framework™ is a dual-structured model that ensures professional learning aligns leadership vision with classroom practice.

This framework supports schools by providing:

A clear system for planning and sustaining professional development

A teacher-centered learning arc that supports real classroom application

Alignment between instructional priorities, technology use, and leadership goals

Built-in tools for reflection, coaching, and growth

A scalable model that reduces initiative overload and staff burnout

This is professional learning designed for long-term capacity-building, not short-term inspiration.

The LEAP + SPARK Framework™

LEAP Framework™ : Professional Development Systems for School Leaders

(Admin-Facing Professional Learning Framework)

The LEAP Framework™ guides how Empowire partners with school and district leaders to design sustainable professional development systems.

LEAP Stands For

Listen : Assess instructional goals, staff capacity, and current systems

Equip : Provide research-aligned strategies and tools that support instructional priorities

Activate : Support implementation in real classrooms with coaching and modeling

Progress : Monitor growth, reflect on outcomes, and refine systems for continued success

LEAP is the leadership operating system behind all Empowire services, ensuring professional development is aligned, manageable, and measurable.

SPARK Framework™ : Teacher Learning That Transfers to Practice

(Teacher-Facing Learning Arc)

The SPARK Framework™ guides how educators experience professional learning so it translates into daily instruction.

SPARK Supports Teachers As They

Strategize around instructional purpose and alignment

Practice new tools and techniques through modeling and collaboration

Activate learning directly with students

Reflect on impact and instructional outcomes

Build Knowledge through coaching, iteration, and shared leadership

For school leaders, SPARK improves implementation fidelity, strengthens internal teacher leadership, and reduces the need for repeated retraining.

Why This Framework Works: Inspired by Universal Design for Learning

Just as students benefit from flexible, responsive learning environments, educators thrive when professional development is designed with intention.

The LEAP + SPARK Framework™ is informed by Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, allowing schools to:

Differentiate professional learning without adding new initiatives

Increase educator buy-in and confidence

Support varied roles, experience levels, and instructional contexts

UDL Alignment at a Systems Level

Action & Expression → LEAP Framework™ (how PD is planned and sustained)

Representation → SPARK Framework™ (how learning is experienced and applied)

This approach ensures professional learning is equitable, flexible, and effective. Without increasing administrative workload.

How Schools Use the LEAP + SPARK Framework™

Every Empowire service is aligned to this professional learning framework, ensuring consistency and clarity across initiatives.

Schools partner with Empowire to support:

Sustainable professional development systems

Instructional coaching and mentoring models

Purposeful technology integration

Teacher leadership development

Data-informed instructional improvement

The result: cohesive PD systems that grow with your school, not ones that reset every year.

Who This Professional Learning Framework Is Designed For?

Empowire partners with schools and districts that are ready to invest in long-term professional growth, including:

K–12 administrators building aligned PD systems

Leadership teams seeking instructional consistency

Coaches and teacher-leaders growing internal capacity

Educators implementing student-centered, tech-integrated instruction

Ready to Build a Sustainable Professional Development System?

If you’re ready to move beyond checkbox PD and create a professional learning system that supports your people and your vision. We’re ready to partner!

Schedule a Strategy Call

Professional Learning Insights for School Leaders

Join the Chalk & Wires community to receive research-informed insights on professional development, instructional leadership, and purposeful technology integration.