Professional Learning Communities

Find your true north with the Coach’s Compass model, a practical framework for strengthening instructional coaching. This guide helps coaches navigate MTSS-C across teams and individuals, using actionable tools that nurture trust, align practice, and support growth within a PLC at Work® context.

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.

Rusty Taylor has been a professional educator since 1997, serving as a science teacher, middle school assistant principal, and principal at both the middle and high school levels.

Bo Ryan is principal of the Ana Grace Academy of the Arts Elementary Magnet School in Bloomfield, Connecticut. He is passionate about building and sustaining professional learning communities (PLCs) and has led two different schools to Model PLC at Work® certification.

Dr. Julia “Jai” Wilson is an assistant principal for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky. She has been an educator for 27 years and specializes in building PLCs from the ground up, relationship building, and school culture.

Dr. Amy Williams brings over 25 years of experience in education, specializing in fostering inclusive practices and systems-level change to improve student outcomes.

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.

Kathryn Morem, EdD, has served as a dedicated leader in education for over 30 years. As a leading expert for Solution Tree, Dr. Morem partners with school and district leaders across the country to achieve top-tier rankings.

Tracey A. Hulen is an elementary and middle school mathematics and SEL specialist who has experience leading two professional learning communities in Fairfax County, Virginia, to Model PLC status.

Pamela Liebenberg, EdD, has been an educator for more than 25 years. She has served as an award-winning teacher, assistant principal, principal, regional director, and district director supervising 35 schools in the Tuscaloosa County School System.