Professional Learning Communities at Work®

Dr. Derek Voiles is the assistant principal at Lincoln Heights Middle School in Morristown, Tennessee. With more than 15 years of experience in education, he emphasizes collaboration as a tool for better learning, particularly through professional learning communities.

With over 25 years of experience in elementary education, including five years in early learning, Janel Ross specializes in the implementation of professional learning communities and multitiered systems of supports at the elementary level.

Ann Alfonso has been the principal of Bethke Elementary, a Model Professional Learning Communities at Work® school in Timnath, Colorado, since 2008. She is passionate about sustaining a positive, inclusive culture and developing young educators.

During this 1-Day Workshop, participants will gain strategies for how to build better parent engagement and collaboration with your school community to better support all of your students. Each participant will learn about a “Parentship” and how to purposely build a guiding coalition to move this work forward in their schools. Participants will also be given several easy-to-implement strategies for their own collaborative teams and school communities along with time and tools to think through that process.

In this session, participants will explore innovative strategies and practical tools designed to challenge advanced learners through extended and personalized learning opportunities. Attendees will examine how flexible grouping, tiered assignments, and student choice can transform their classrooms into dynamic spaces that promote deep engagement and continuous learning. By embedding these strategies into their PLC processes, participants will leave equipped to elevate their team's impact on all students.

Reboot, energize, and simplify the professional learning communities (PLC) process with The 15-Day Challenge! This practical guide brings the PLC process to life through seven simple unit design steps, providing a clear road map for creating a guaranteed and viable curriculum. Designed for results, this challenge helps educators navigate the PLC journey with clarity and impact.

Chad M. V. Dumas, EdD, focuses primarily on collaborating to develop capacity for continuous improvement. An international educational presenter and award-winning researcher, he has led nationally recognized improvements for both students and staff.

Richard K. Cohen is Chief Academic Officer for secondary education at Edison Township Public Schools in New Jersey. He is a former assistant superintendent and principal of Moss School (PreK and Kindergarten) in the Metuchen School District in New Jersey. He serves as faculty for Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and he is a former principal of Red Bank Primary School in New Jersey.

Singletons—teachers who are the only ones teaching a specific course or subject—often ask how they can effectively participate on a collaborative team. Additionally, leaders frequently ask what they should be doing to guide and support singletons. This webinar provides participants clear direction to help singletons engage in meaningful collaboration. Teachers and leaders receive templates they can implement immediately.

Maria Espinoza, EdM, is the principal of Freeport Elementary in Freeport, Texas. With 17 years of experience, she specializes in early childhood education and implementing the professional learning community process to help underperforming schools.