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Build school culture where learning thrives

“After several months of research and dialogue with practitioners throughout the nation, it became apparent that the hype was real. PLCs . . . are being used by schools and districts of all sizes and demographics to make significant impacts on student achievement.”

Evaluating Professional Learning Communities: Final Report
An APQC® Education Benchmarking Project

The Professional Learning Communities at Work® process is increasingly recognized as the most powerful strategy for sustained, substantive school improvement. This institute gives you and your team the knowledge and tools to implement this powerful process in your school or district.

For three days, you'll have the opportunity to network with some of the most insightful minds in education, with presenters accessible to you throughout the event. This immersive experience includes four powerful keynote speakers at every institute. The fourth and final keynote will explore shared leadership, guiding coalitions, and the impact of a strong, healthy culture—not just for administrators, but for all educators.

Whether you're a teacher, coach, or leader just beginning to explore PLCs, this institute is an excellent way to build your knowledge base. For those who are already involved in deep implementation, it's the perfect opportunity to assess your progress, identify high-leverage next steps, introduce new team members to the process, and get answers to new questions.

As you delve deep into the three big ideas of a PLC—focusing on learning, building a collaborative culture, and results orientation—you will gain specific, practical insights for transforming your school or district into a place where all students learn at high levels, walking away with actionable strategies to drive lasting change together.

Venue

Pasadena Convention Center

300 East Green Street

Pasadena, California

Learn from leading experts

Keynote speakers

Tim Brown

Tim Brown

Tim Brown

Tim Brown is an internationally recognized presenter and practitioner who specializes in helping school leaders and teachers align their school improvement efforts across an entire campus and/or district.

Luis F. Cruz

Luis F. Cruz

Luis F. Cruz

Luis F. Cruz, PhD, is a sought-after presenter, coach, thought leader, and accomplished author with over 30 years of experience in education.

Timothy D. Kanold

Timothy D. Kanold

Timothy D. Kanold

Timothy D. Kanold, PhD, an award-winning educator and author, is former superintendent of Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125, a Model PLC at Work® district in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

Mike Mattos

Mike Mattos

Mike Mattos

Mike Mattos is an internationally recognized author, presenter, and practitioner who specializes in uniting teachers, administrators, and support staff to transform schools by implementing response to intervention and professional learning communities.

Anthony Muhammad

Anthony Muhammad

Anthony Muhammad

Anthony Muhammad, PhD, is an author and international thought leader. He served as a practitioner for nearly twenty years where he served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. He is recognized as one of the fields leading experts in the areas of school culture and Professional Learning Communities at Work (PLC).

Maria Nielsen

Maria Nielsen

Maria Nielsen

Maria Nielsen, educational speaker and author, specializes in supporting teachers and administrators in the areas of PLCs, RTI, school culture, curriculum design, the highly engaged classroom, and assessment systems. Her life’s work is to help schools build successful systems to ensure high levels of student learning.

Regina Stephens Owens

Regina Stephens Owens

Regina Stephens Owens

Regina Stephens Owens, EdD is an internationally recognized presenter and practitioner who specializes in creating a culture of connectivity and collaboration while utilizing systems thinking.

Julie A. Schmidt

Julie A. Schmidt

Julie A. Schmidt

Julie A. Schmidt has served as a school psychologist, Director of Student Services, Associate Superintendent of Student Services, and recently retired from Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96 in Illinois after serving as Superintendent of Schools for 13 years. The district began its professional learning communities (PLC) journey nearly 25 years ago, and all seven schools have been recognized as Model PLC at Work® schools. She is passionate about ensuring ALL students have an opportunity to thrive and reach their goals.

Eric Twadell

Eric Twadell

Eric Twadell

Eric Twadell, PhD, is superintendent of Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. He has been a social studies teacher, curriculum director, and assistant superintendent for leadership and organizational development.

Schedule

On-Site Solution Tree Book Co-op Open Throughout Event

Agenda and speakers are subject to change.

Detailed agenda and summaries

Wednesday, November 12

6:30–8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:00–9:45 a.m. Keynote
9:45–10:00 a.m.

Break

10:00–11:30 a.m. Breakouts
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Lunch (on your own)

1:00–2:30 p.m.

Breakouts

2:30–2:45 p.m.

Break

2:45–3:45 p.m. Keynote

Thursday, November 13th

7:00–8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:00–9:45 a.m. Keynote
9:45–10:00 a.m.

Break

10:00–11:30 a.m. Breakouts
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Lunch (on your own)

1:00–2:30 p.m.

Breakouts

2:30–2:45 p.m.

Break

2:45–3:45 p.m. Team Time

Friday, November 14th

7:00–8:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

8:00–9:30 a.m.

Breakouts

9:30–9:45 a.m. Break
9:45–11:45 a.m.

Keynote

Accommodations

Events reach capacity quickly. Please confirm your registration before making travel plans.

While discounted rooms in our hotel room block may be sold out, the primary hotel may still have rooms available at their standard rates. Please inquire directly with the hotel.

Hotels

Primary Hotel

Hilton Pasadena

168 S Los Robles Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
626.577.1000

Discounted Rate: (single or double) $239 per night

Deadline: October 20, 2025, or until group rate is sold out.

Online Reservations

Alternative Hotel 1

Hotel Dena

303 Cordova Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
626.469.8100

Discounted Rate: (single or double) $244 per night

Deadline: October 20, 2025 or until group rate is sold out.

Alternative Hotel 2

Hyatt Place Pasadena

399 E Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
626.219.7072

Discounted Rate: (single or double) $229 per night

Deadline: October 20, 2025, or until group rate is sold out.

Events reach capacity quickly. Please confirm your registration before making travel plans.

Parking information:
Hilton Pasadena: $27 overnight
Hotel Dena: $30 overnight
Hyatt Place: $26 self parking
Convention Center

All rates are per day and subject to change.

In order to receive the discounted hotel room rate, please mention Solution Tree. After the deadline listed below, rates will be determined by the hotel.

Venue

Pasadena Convention Center

300 East Green Street

Pasadena, California

Hear from our attendees

Event Reviews

"Thank you for providing such a motivating conference! I'm looking forward to the implementation of PLCs across my district next year."

Susan Joiner, school development coordinator, Lee County School District, Florida

"I was truly energized after the conference. Thank you!"

Eilene Ahr, assistant principal, Starke Elementary School, Florida

"It is rare to attend a professional development training where every single session is meaningful. I had great a-has and left each session with great resources."

Amy Mayer, teacher, Allen Park Elementary School, Florida

“I loved it and plan to use it for the rest of my career!”

Gayle Baisch, teacher, Dunbar High School, Florida

"Thank you for a wonderful experience. The event was well-planned and organized. The presenters were professional, inspirational, and down-to-earth. I cannot wait to share our success story someday soon!"

Kelly Cramer, learning facilitator, Quakertown Community School District, Pennsylvania

More details

Additional Information

Product code: CFF829

This event is eligible as a course credit through the University of Lynchburg. Click here to learn more.


Five Reasons to Attend a Solution Tree Event (PDF)
A Letter to Your Boss (DOC)

You will receive a certificate of participation 6 weeks after the event concludes. Please check with your department of education for CEU availability.


On-Site Solution Tree Book Co-Op Discounts

  • Buy 5 or more Solution Tree titles or resources and receive 30% off and free shipping
  • On-site book co-op open daily throughout the event

Discounts above are for on-site purchases only. Does not include any non-Solution Tree product, toolkit, or sale table items. Purchase orders and credit cards accepted. We now accept Apple, Google and Samsung Pay onsite. Continental US only.


Included with your registration

Learning by Doing

Learning by Doing

The fourth edition of Learning by Doing comes bundled with our on-demand AI Book Assistant to help you explore key PLC at Work® concepts, apply proven strategies, access new ways to leverage PLCs for a highly effective MTSS, and get real-time support as you work to strengthen collaboration and improve student learning.

AllThingsPLC Magazine Single Event Issue

AllThingsPLC Magazine Single Event Issue

AllThingsPLC Magazine is a must-have for emerging and veteran professional learning communities (PLCs). Each issue includes PLC research, inspiration, fixes, how-tos, and more.

Event Journal

Event Journal

We’re enhancing your event experience. In addition to providing presentations in digital format, Solution Tree is publishing retail-quality, perfect-bound notebooks expertly designed to support your learning. Any printed handouts or worksheets integrated into your sessions will continue to be provided.

Contact Us.