Avoiding “Just Another Workshop-itis”
After professional development on the Depth and Complexity Framework, it’s common for teachers to feel inspired and eager to apply their new learning.
But as the weeks roll on and the daily pressures of school build, enthusiasm can wane, competing priorities arise, and the Depth and Complexity training risks becoming “just another workshop.”
As someone who has literally written the book on Depth and Complexity and has facilitated training over 25,000 teachers to implement the Depth and Complexity Framework, I’ve got a lot of ideas for you if you’re an administrator facing this issue.
To ensure the Depth and Complexity Framework becomes an integral part of classroom instruction, administrators play a crucial role, and I’m happy to offer some ideas to help.
Here are a dozen practical ways to help teachers bridge the gap between training and practice.
1. Facilitate Peer Sharing
Teachers thrive when they learn from each other. It can feel more approachable to them than when they only hear from a facilitator, no matter how experienced.
Create opportunities for them to share how they’re using the framework in their classrooms.
This could be as simple as dedicating five minutes during a staff meeting or organizing a monthly “Depth and Complexity Showcase.”
Another idea is to allow them “peek” time to look into another teacher’s classroom (that I’m sure is full of smiling, attententive students like those in this picture) to see what they’re doing.
Peer sharing builds a sense of community, sparks creativity, and reinforces the framework’s importance.
When teachers can see that their colleagues are implementing the framework, it normalizes its use.
So, this serves two purposes – teachers get ideas from other teachers and they see that, yes, indeed, this is being implemented on campus.
✅ Pro Tip: Use a digital platform like Padlet or Google Slides where teachers can post examples of student work using Depth and Complexity prompts.
2. Build in Accountability
Accountability doesn’t have to be intimidating—it can be as simple as asking teachers to submit a quick reflection or lesson plan that incorporates Depth and Complexity elements.
Knowing they’ll be asked about their implementation keeps the framework on their radar.
It’s also a big part of how our brains work. We value what we will be tested on, what we know will be followed-up on, what we know someone is watching or tracking.
The accountability piece shouldn’t be a surprise. No Friday afternoon emails saying that they should submit something before they leave that day.
Accountability should be clear, and it must be followed up on. If the teachers are supposed to submit something and don’t, that needs to be addressed.
It’s likely that the existing teacher evaluation instrument has a section for professional development and/or pedagogical initiatives, so you can make Depth and Complexity implementation part of the existing accountability procedures.
✅ Pro Tip: Pair accountability with encouragement by celebrating progress. A quick shout-out in a staff email or at a meeting can go a long way.
3. Schedule Refresher Training
No one masters a new strategy in one session. Plan periodic refreshers to revisit key concepts, address challenges, and introduce advanced strategies.
These sessions can be brief and tailored to teachers’ evolving needs. Use the data you’re gathering from the accountability piece to address topics of weakness or share areas of strength that other teachers can learn from.
There is real value is micro-moments of learning. It keeps Depth and Complexity front of mind, which is a large part of what we’re often struggling with.
These can be optional for everyone, and they can be required for teachers who are struggling.
✅ Pro Tip: Host a “Lunch and Learn” or “Library Learning” where teachers can ask questions or brainstorm ideas over snacks or school supply giveaways (I’m not kidding – many of us absolutely LOVE office supplies!). Keep it casual and frequent but focused and quick.
4. Conduct Targeted Observations
When visiting classrooms, look specifically for signs of Depth and Complexity. Are teachers using the prompts and accompanying images? Are students engaging in higher-order thinking?
Share positive observations and offer actionable suggestions when needed.
✅ Pro Tip: Use my simple Depth and Complexity Walk-through Form (see one filled out below) so your feedback is consistent and constructive. You can get that (free) here.
5. Provide Individualized Remediation
Some teachers may struggle with aspects of the framework. It can be tempting to paint the entire campus with the same blanket (“No one’s doing it!”).
In all likelihood, some teachers are stronger than others. Make sure you don’t force teachers who are implementing the Depth and Complexity framework at an appropriate level to have to remediate.
A simple survery can be helpful. Something like:
“On a scale of 1 – 10, how comfortable do you feel using the Depth and Complexity framework in instruction?” and “What percentage of your lessons include quality Depth and Complexity questions or activities?”
Just those two questions will give you enough data to intervene appropriately.
Offer targeted support to help them grow. This could include modeling lessons, co-teaching, or one-on-one coaching.
Remember that some of the teachers did not pay attention to the training, thinking that it wasn’t actually going to be followed up on.
✅ Pro Tip: Partner hesitant teachers with a peer mentor who is comfortable using Depth and Complexity. Peer partnerships often feel less intimidating than administrative oversight.
✅ Pro Tip: Give them an article to read, such as this one that gives a strong overview of the entire framework.
6. Highlight Student Success Stories
Depth and Complexity isn’t just something more for teachers to do. Its purpose is to raise students’ thinking levels.
To that end, consider showcasing how Depth and Complexity benefits students.
This could mean sharing examples of deep thinking in student work or inviting students to present their learning during a staff meeting. When teachers see the impact, they’re more motivated to continue.
✅ Pro Tip: Create a “Depth and Complexity Wall” in a common area to display exemplary student projects or work.
7. Incorporate the Depth and Complexity Framework into Campus Goals
Tie Depth and Complexity to your broader instructional goals.
Whether it’s boosting critical thinking, improving student engagement, or enriching curriculum differentiation, show teachers how the framework aligns with what the school is striving to achieve.
This ensures it’s not seen as something “extra” or just more to do, but rather an integral part of what the campus is trying to achieve.
✅ Pro Tip: Include Depth and Complexity in professional growth plans and teacher evaluations (in a supportive, not punitive, way).
8. Offer Time for Lesson Planning
Implementing Depth and Complexity takes time and intentionality. Provide teachers with planning time where they can incorporate the framework into their lessons.
This can be difficult to do, for several reasons, the most common of which is current overscheduling.
Consider taking a hard look at what teachers are currently required to attend/do during planning time, and see if you can reduce that to free up time for planning with Depth and Complexity specifically.
This may mean fewer minutes in a PLC meeting, holding certain meetings less frequently, or even making some meetings an email instead of a meeting.
✅ Pro Tip: Supply a ready-made bank of Depth and Complexity lesson templates to get them started, and let teachers customize as needed. You can see examples of lessons I create here.
9. Lead by Example
If you want teachers to prioritize Depth and Complexity, you need to model it.
Use the framework in your staff meetings or when presenting information to teachers. This subtle reinforcement signals its value and helps solidify its use across the school.
It also makes it more likely you’ll be able to recognize it better when you see (or don’t see) it in class.
When you are sending emails to the staff, how can you implement the framework yourself?
Notice how these sentences are infused with Depth and Complexity:
- We’ve noticed an uptick in students not following the 🚦hallway rules. We’re keeping an eye out for this, so please let us know if you notice a certain student who needs redirection on this.
- There’s been a slight increase in the 📈 number of students who are absent on Fridays. This obviously impacts Monday’s instruction, too, because they weren’t here to get the learning or the assignments. We’re gathering the data to look for 🌀 patterns in this to see if we can intervene at the administrative or counseling level.
- From an administrative perspective 🕶️, it seems like the passing periods this year are about the right length of time. If your perspective 🕶️ is different, please let me know. We’ll be working on the master schedule for next year soon, and we want your thoughts.
This requires that administrators be at least as familiar with the framework as the teachers are.
✅ Pro Tip: Use Depth and Complexity prompts to analyze school-wide challenges or professional articles during staff meetings.
10. Embrace the Season
Sometimes teachers struggle to envision how they can integrate Depth and Complexity into their curriculum, especially if they’ve been teaching the same content for a number of years.
It’s hard to see things with fresh eyes.
One way to help with this is to encourage and support them in using Depth and Complexity during times when the curriculum is less rigid.
These times include the beginning and end of the school year and holidays.
When you “play” with Depth and Complexity a little bit, it can be easier to see how you can use it during daily, regular instruction.
Below, you can see the cover of a Martin Luther King Day resource, for an example.
Here are some holiday-centered freebies your teachers can access:
Have the teachers sign up individually so they get on the list of people who are interested in Depth and Complexity freebies!
Additionally, I’ve created an entire line of holiday resources using Depth and Complexity that have all four core content areas (geared to 4th – 8th grades).
Here’s a list of current holiday Depth and Complexity Activity Packs:
- Australia Day
- Back-to-School (K-3)
- Back-to-School (4th & up)
- Christmas
- End of Year
- Halloween
- Martin Luther King Day
- Mexican Independence Day
- St. Patrick’s Day
- Thanksgiving
- Valentine’s Day
- Depth and Complexity Frames for Every Month of the Year
11. Enthusiasm Check
Drudgery is the kiss of death for any initiative, and Depth and Complexity is no different.
One key is to keep enthusiasm alive. Administrators are the most important key to this. If administrators are only the arm of punishment, rather than joy, they will lose their power to lead change.
Here are ideas for encouraging enthusiasm:
Get Teachers Involved Early
When teachers feel included in the decision-making process, they’re more likely to buy in. Invite their input before rolling out the initiative and encourage them to take ownership of certain aspects. This transforms the initiative into something they feel part of, rather than something imposed on them.
Creating a teacher impact team for Depth and Complexity can be a great way to keep this ongoing.
Keep It Fun
Energy is contagious! Create excitement by introducing elements of fun, like themed events, small incentives, or even memes and humor.
When the atmosphere around Depth and Complexity feels positive, teachers are more likely to approach it with enthusiasm.
Host a Showcase Event
A few weeks after the rollout, organize a fun showcase where teachers can share their successes, challenges, and creative implementations of the initiative.
Make it celebratory—include snacks, music, and even giveaways for participation. Recognize and applaud their efforts, keeping the energy high while reinforcing the value of the initiative in a supportive, community-focused setting.
12. Provide Additional Depth and Complexity Resources
I offer many Depth and Complexity resources to support staff.
✅ Visit the Depth and Complexity page on this website where I curate all of my Depth and Complexity articles and information.
✅ I strongly recommend the Mastering Depth and Complexity Course. Teachers get lifetime access to ten hours of video instruction, along with monthly office hours, and resources. Email me for campus/district licenses.
✅ This Depth and Complexity Frames Freebie is a must-have for every teacher. As with the seasonal resources, have them sign up individually so they get on the list of people who are interested in Depth and Complexity freebies!
✅ The book Gifted Guild’s Guide to Depth and Complexity is a standard for teachers. With nearly 20,000 copies in teachers’ hands, this is the ultimate reference for them.
✅ Get the teachers inexpensive ebook copies of the Depth and Complexity Quick Guide or the Depth and Complexity Question Stems ebook. Save money with the bundle or email me for volume discounts.
Conclusion
Ensuring the Depth and Complexity Framework becomes a staple of classroom practice requires consistent follow-up, thoughtful support, and genuine enthusiasm.
By facilitating collaboration, providing accountability, and keeping the framework at the forefront, administrators can transform a one-time training into a lasting instructional shift.
Even though the Depth and Complexity framework can be incredibly impactful, that impact will not be felt or experienced if it’s not implemented.
Make sure you are patient with yourself and your staff. This is a large shift, and it will take time.
