Professional Learning Communities

Dr. Aisha Thomas has been an educator for over 20 years, serving in all levels of school leadership at the middle school and elementary levels. She has helped lead two schools to receive the National Blue Ribbon Award.

Mike Suderman has 36 years of experience providing teaching and school leadership at all levels of K–12 education, including district leadership. Mike was a Teacher, Principal and Assistant Superintendent with Edmonton Public Schools and was School Superintendent at a Private School recently.

Lindsey Matkin is the principal at Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School, a PLC Model school, in Poudre School District, Fort Collins, Colorado. Lindsey has served as a classroom teacher, athletic coach, grade level leader, academic dean, assistant principal, and Colorado State University Fellow.

Jane Pedersen, EdD, is the director of student services in Fremont School District 79 in Illinois. She has previously served as assistant director of educational services, an elementary school assistant principal, and a school psychologist for Kildeer Countryside School District 96 in Illinois.

Richard L. Pease has more than 30 years of experience as an education leader, serving as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, university professor, middle and high school principal, principal mentor, and district leader.

Amy Gluck is assistant superintendent of teaching and learning in Grayslake CCSD 46 in Illinois. Her work focuses on ensuring all students achieve high levels of learning.

Kathryn Morem, EdD, has more than 25 years of educational experience, serving as an elementary school principal and director of professional development in Florida, as well as a Spanish/ESL teacher in Arizona and Switzerland.

Mark Fletcher is the principal of Bloomington High School South in Indiana, which has been a National Model PLC since 2012. Mark has more than 20 years of experience leading professional learning communities.

Tara Fulton is the principal at Clute Intermediate School in Clute, Texas. Tara has served as a teacher and administrator at the elementary and secondary school levels. She is passionate about professional learning communities.

In this high-impact talk, we will examine not only the level of commitment we must have to create significant change but also the most common fears we encounter as leaders of the process. Ensuring high levels of learning for all students requires we be courageous in our pursuit. Are you prepared to burn the ships?