My elevator speech about NSDC — that is, my 30-second compelling explanation of professional learning — isn’t as honed as I would like. Internally, we talk about the importance of having a clear, concise statement about what NSDC is and why we exist. Make your message straightforward: “We help students by ensuring quality learning for their teachers.” Yet when I’m chatting with someone outside of education, my faith falters. Will he understand that teachers need resources to continuously build their knowledge and skills, just as doctors and electricians do? Will she question whether time spent on something other than instruction benefits students? So I stumble a bit, spending too much precious face time on dull explanations and rationalizations. The same thing happens with family and