Professional Learning Communities

Haley James is the supervisor of instruction for Madison County Schools in Alabama. She previously served as an elementary principal, preK–12 assistant principal, instructional coach, and elementary teacher.

Closing student achievement gaps requires specific actions focused on acceleration and leveling up strategies to achieve grade-level proficiency or beyond. Acceleration is the pathway; we cannot continue to go backward if our goal is to move forward. Discover how to erase inequities in student learning while building hope and confidence in both teachers and students. This is equity in action.

As educators and leaders across the nation grapple with the challenge of changing policies, practices, and procedures to ensure high levels of learning for all students, the inability to effectively change the mindsets of colleagues, faculty, and staff is proving to be the biggest hurdle of all. Hence, in order for systems to change, outlooks will also need to change.

Jennifer Taylor serves as an instructional coach at Riverton Intermediate School. Prior to her current role, she supported administrators and teachers in the professional learning communities (PLC) process as a district instructional specialist.

Utilizing their research-affirmed educator wellness framework, and their most recent book, Educator Wellness, Plan book, and Journal (2023), Boogren, Kanold, and Kullar help educators of all levels and backgrounds learn how to bring their very best selves to their students through the use of routines, invitations, and strategies that have a major impact on living a high energy, well-balanced daily decision-making life using practical tools for success. Come to this webinar ready to have fun, laugh, learn how to live your best life, and be inspired!

Kyle is the principal of Powell Middle School in Powell, Wyoming. Prior to administration, he was an elementary teacher where he developed the passion for professional learning communities and the power behind building a strong culture and teamwork in a school.

This two-day workshop will highlight what leaders and teams do to improve their professional practice in an effort to help more students learn at higher levels.

Dan Swatek is the elementary principal at Cardinal Elementary School in Nebraska, which he helped lead to Model PLC status in 2018. Throughout his nearly twenty-year career as an educator, he has also served as an assistant principal, middle school teacher, and head coach.

Katherine Gillies is the lead architect of districtwide literacy improvement at Niles North High School, D219, in Illinois. Her work includes building a comprehensive system of intervention and support for struggling readers and developing a research-based curriculum to ensure continued literacy growth for all students.

Maureen M. Rubenstein is a literacy coach and special education instructor in Lincolnshire, Illinois. She works with other literacy coaches to coordinate and implement book clubs, PD sessions, and coaching sessions.