Building Teaching Teams That Truly Thrive
Great schools are built by great teachers. But finding them, developing them, and keeping them is one of the most persistent challenges school leaders face and one that rarely gets the dedicated, expert attention it deserves.
At Thriving Saplings, we partner with schools to do exactly that. Drawing on over a decade of classroom experience, curriculum design, and a Master of Education from Harvard University, Claudine Fernandez works alongside school leaders to strengthen the foundation that everything else rests on: your people.
Whether you're navigating rapid staff turnover, building out a new team, or investing in the long-term growth of the teachers you already have, we bring a thoughtful, evidence-informed approach that is practical, personalised, and built around your school's specific context and culture.
What We Offer
Customised Workshops for Training Teachers
No two schools are the same and off-the-shelf professional development rarely makes an impact. Our workshops are designed from the ground up around your school's priorities, your teachers' needs, and the outcomes you're working toward.
Workshop topics can include:
Creative pedagogies —equipping teachers with arts-based and creative approaches to learning that deepen student engagement, support diverse learners, and bring new energy into the classroom
Communication and classroom presence — helping teachers connect more effectively with students, parents, and colleagues
Understanding student behaviour through personality profiling — equipping teachers with tools like DISC to better support diverse learners
Confidence and resilience for educators — addressing the emotional demands of teaching and building sustainable practice
Mentoring and coaching skills for senior teachers — developing internal capacity to support and grow junior staff
Consultancy Retainer
For schools that want ongoing, dedicated support rather than one-off engagements, our consultancy retainer offers direct access to Claudine's expertise on a regular basis.
A retainer partnership can support your school with:
Teacher hiring — developing interview frameworks, assessment criteria, and selection processes that help you identify candidates who are not just qualified, but genuinely the right fit for your school's culture
Onboarding and induction — designing structured onboarding experiences that help new teachers integrate quickly, feel supported, and perform at their best from day one
Staff retention strategy — identifying the factors that drive teacher attrition in your school and co-creating practical, sustainable strategies to address them
Leadership coaching for Heads of Department and Senior Teachers — building the internal leadership capacity that keeps good teachers growing and engaged over time
Retainer partnerships are structured around your school's calendar and goals, with regular touchpoints, check-ins, and the flexibility to respond to what emerges throughout the year. You're gaining a trusted thought partner who knows your school and is invested in its success.
Who This Is For?
Our school consultancy services are well-suited to:
International and private schools navigating high staff turnover or rapid growth
Local schools investing in structured professional development for the first time
Enrichment centres and education providers building out their teaching teams
School leaders who want a genuine thinking partner, not just a vendor
Ready to explore what a partnership could look like for your school?