Facebook Pixel

Better instruction starts hereDiscover new resources

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

Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center

123 E. Main St

Rochester, New York

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.

Mike Mattos

Mike Mattos

Mike Mattos

Mike Mattos is a globally recognized author and presenter who transforms schools through Response to Intervention (RTI) and Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). In 2024, Global Gurus named him one of the top 30 educational thought leaders worldwide.

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.

Barbara Phillips

Barbara Phillips

Barbara Phillips

Barbara Phillips is an educational presenter and researcher from upstate New York with over 20 years of experience in public education. She specializes in effective instruction and leveraging teacher strengths to maximize student achievement and learning.

Anthony R. Reibel

Anthony R. Reibel

Anthony R. Reibel

Anthony Reibel hails from Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Illinois and is the current assistant principal for teaching and learning. Anthony is also coauthor of several books: Proficiency-Based Assessment, Proficiency-Based Instruction, Proficiency-Based Grading in the Content Areas, and Pathways to Proficiency which explore the relationship between proficiency, pedagogy, and evidence-based grading.

Jeanne Spiller

Jeanne Spiller

Jeanne Spiller

With over 30 years of experience in K–12 education, author and education expert Jeanne Spiller is an associate with Solution Tree, supporting schools and districts through workshops, coaching, and collaborative initiatives to enhance instruction, foster innovation, and promote equity.

Schedule

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

Agenda and speakers are subject to change.

Download the detailed agenda and summaries

Monday, August 18th

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.–12:30 p.m.

Lunch (provided)

12:30–2:00 p.m.

Breakouts

2:00–2:15 p.m.

Break

2:15–3:15 p.m. Keynote

Tuesday, August 19th

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.–12:30 p.m.

Lunch (provided)

12:30–2:00 p.m.

Breakouts

2:00–2:15 p.m.

Break

2:15–3:15 p.m. Team Time

Wednesday, August 20th

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 - SOLD OUT

Hyatt Regency Rochester

125 E Main St
Rochester, New York 14604
585.546.1234

Discounted Rate: (single or double) $179 per night
Deadline: July 25, 2025, or until group rate is sold out

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

Parking Information:
Hyatt Regency Rochester: Discounted $12 hotel self-parking with in and out privileges.
Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown: Discounted $12 hotel self-parking with in and out privileges.

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

Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center

123 E. Main St

Rochester, New York

Hear from our attendees

Event Reviews

"The information was applicable and helped me to leave with some specific goals in mind for the PLC groups I am involved in directly, as well as some ideas for our all PLCs across our district."

Rachel Nichols, Catoosa County School District, Georgia

"The best part of a Solution Tree event is that every single session and keynote is tied together under the umbrella of the topic at hand. It all focuses around PLC—no one goes to a session different than the rest and comes back with left-field ideas or information. The message is tightly delivered and helps us to bring focus to our work as well."

Stacy Winslow, Derry Township School District, Pennsylvania

"The breakout sessions were a great compliment to the larger questions that were posed during the keynote speeches."

Sharonda Frazier, principal, International Community School, Georgia

More details

Additional Information

Product code: CFF832

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.