Planting Seeds: The Story Behind Seeds of Knowledge

Every movement begins with a question. For me, the question was this:

What if professional learning could feel more like planting a garden, and less like ticking a box?

As a teacher, school leader, and trainer over the past two decades, I have seen how truly transformative professional learning happens, not through rigid frameworks or endless mandates, but through ideas that take root.

A metaphor here. A conversation there. A moment of reflection that sparks a shift in how we see ourselves, our classrooms, our students.

In late 2023, during a period of deep reflection, this thought kept returning:

What if I could create something simple, open, and generous, a space for educators to come, reflect, and gather seeds of new thinking?

The image of the sunflower stayed with me, a symbol of growth, hope, and following the light. From there, Seeds of Knowledge began to take shape.

Why Metaphors?

I’ve always believed in the power of metaphor. A good metaphor bypasses jargon and speaks to both the head and the heart. It invites curiosity and makes abstract ideas feel real. Each of the first Seeds of Knowledge workshops, The Box, The Bridge, The Mirror, The Seedling, began as a simple metaphor. But in testing them with teachers and leaders, I saw how they unlocked deep reflection and dialogue.

Where We Are Now

Today, Seeds of Knowledge is growing. We now offer a blend of:

• Full-day face-to-face workshops

• Free self-paced online courses

• Thought leadership articles and resources

Most importantly: this is not a commercial project. It is a gift to the global education community. All self paced courses are free, all materials are open. No paywalls. No catch.

What’s Next?

This is only the beginning. Over the coming months, we will:

• Develop more courses on leadership, inclusion, and future-ready schools

• Translate courses to make them more globally accessible

• Build a Seeds of Knowledge Community of Practice, for educators to share ideas, questions, and stories

• Launch Seeds of Knowledge Talks, short video reflections on metaphor and education

I never imagined how widely these ideas would resonate. Educators from more than 20 countries have already connected with Seeds of Knowledge in its early stages. If you’re reading this, welcome. This is an open space for you. A place to reflect, grow, and plant your own seeds of change.

The garden is just beginning. I hope you’ll walk with us as it grows.

Mark Pollitt
Founder, Seeds of Knowledge