Education Catalysts

In my welcome post, I used the term education catalysts. But what exactly does this mean?

A catalyst is something that triggers or accelerates change. It doesn’t create the change alone. It sparks the conditions for something transformative to happen, often faster or more effectively than it would on its own.

In education, the idea of being a catalyst means we don’t wait for change to come to us. We initiate it. We are the spark in conversations around equity. The accelerant behind innovative teaching practices. The force that brings research, policy, and practice into motion.

Examples of education catalysts include:

• An early childhood educator who embeds trauma-responsive practices into daily routines to better support student well-being.
• An elementary teacher who uses play-based learning to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and advocate for developmentally appropriate practice.
• A middle school teacher who shares innovative, relationship-centered strategies on social media to elevate and humanize the teaching profession.
• A high school teacher who creates space for student voice through co-designed curriculum and advocacy around equitable access to advanced coursework.
• A principal who reallocates time in staff meetings to focus on reflective dialogue instead of logistics.
• A university professor who empowers pre-service teachers to engage in local advocacy.
• A parent who mobilizes their community to support more inclusive school environments.
• A policy leader who draws on classroom stories to inform legislative decisions and champion child-centered education reform.

As advocates, we don’t always have to overhaul the system. We can be the ones who accelerate the shift. Sometimes that looks like speaking at a school board meeting. Sometimes it’s sharing a resource. Other times it’s mentoring a colleague or being brave enough to question the status quo.

So, I invite you to reflect: Who are some examples of education catalysts that have inspired you? How have you been an education catalyst in the past? How might you step into that role in the future?

Because when we see ourselves as catalysts, we stop waiting for change to arrive. We start shaping it from within.

Let’s keep the conversation going. What’s sparking change in your world right now? Share your story!

– Jill

(Image Credit: Canva AI Generator)