Professional Learning Communities

Kristi Mixdorf has 27+ years of experience as an educator. She has led culture and climate initiatives, developed school improvement plans, and led the implementation of the PLC process, resulting in her school becoming a Model PLC at Work® School.

Based upon their book Taking Action, internationally-recognized intervention experts Dr. Luis Cruz and Mike Mattos will discuss three foundational steps needed to create a highly effective MTSS process. This webinar is designed to support administrators, coaches, interventionist staff, classroom educators and special education teachers.

Karin K. Hess, EdD, the creator of the Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrices, is an internationally recognized speaker and leader in developing practical approaches for using cognitive rigor and learning progressions in assessments. Since 1998, Karin has been working in schools as an elementary and middle school principal, district curriculum director, and classroom teacher.

When teams commit to collaborating to ensure high levels of learning for ALL students, a key critical step is to examine personal and systemic beliefs, policies, and practices to build a school and district culture where systems align. Focused on closing the gaps for students with identified needs, this session, designed for leaders of both general and special educators, provides an overview of the core concepts and associated practices to collaboratively support all learners and bring this vision to life.

A high-performing school district that functions as a professional learning community (PLC) reflects thoughtful alignment and integration of the PLC process by the superintendent and board of directors, central office, individual schools, and teacher teams. While highlighting the efforts of highly successful school districts, Janel Keating will describe how districts organize and align at each level to implement PLC concepts and practices systemwide.

Kara Tidemann has successfully served for over 25 years in education. As a building leader she successfully led an underperforming school to high performance, earning Model PLC at Work® school status for demonstration of exceptional academic achievement over time.

Obie Leff has more than 30 years of expertise in education and leadership. He currently serves as director and principal of Twin Rivers Charter School, a 2024 Model PLC at Work® and National Blue Ribbon School.

Rebecca Williams, executive director of academic programs for Fulton County Schools, has over 15 years of instructional leadership experience. She led Webb Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta, Georgia, enhancing student achievement and transforming school culture.

Lori Curtis has over a decade of professional learning systems experience and currently serves as the executive director of learning, instruction, and technology in the White River School District, a Model PLC district in Buckley, Washington.