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Research has validated what practitioners have known for decades: powerful principal leadership is key to increased student achievement. Principals are responsible for both building and keeping a positive and productive school culture.

As an active participant in this institute, you’ll connect with a professional community of leaders committed to best practices and continuous improvement. Hear inspiring keynotes from seasoned leaders who have faced challenges like the ones you are facing now, and get one-on-one help. Build a toolkit of strategies and ideas for creating a positive culture in your building. Be called to action by a series of 20-minute high-impact talks by principals who have successfully nurtured collaborative teams focused on student learning.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  • Organize staff into high-performing learning teams
  • Focus on the right work with intentionality
  • Create and lead a safe school learning culture with effective systems, procedures, and high expectations
  • Share leadership with a guiding coalition, collaborative teams, and community partners
  • Observe, support, lead, and monitor effective instructional practices
  • Build strong relationships with students, staff, parents, and the community
  • Make data transparent for true evidence-based decision making
  • Develop a strong recognition program for students and staff when goals are achieved
  • Work effectively with resisters and have difficult conversations

Join us for a career-changing experience presented by award-winning PLC at Work® principals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Venue

Greater Tacoma Convention Center

1500 Commerce St

Tacoma, Washington

Learn from leading experts

Keynote speakers

Luis F. Cruz

Luis F. Cruz

Luis F. Cruz

Luis F. Cruz, PhD, is a sought-after presenter, coach, thought leader, and accomplished author with over 30 years of experience in education.

Brandon Jones

Brandon Jones

Brandon Jones

Brandon Jones, an author and consultant, works with educators to implement the Professional Learning Communities at Work® and RTI at Work™ processes. As a practitioner, he has served as a high school teacher and assistant principal, as well as a principal at the elementary, middle, and secondary level.

Janel Keating

Janel Keating

Janel Keating

Janel Keating is former superintendent of the White River School District in the state of Washington. She is a former elementary and middle school teacher, elementary principal, director of student learning, and deputy superintendent.

Brig Leane

Brig Leane

Brig Leane

Brig Leane, a consultant, has over 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in a variety of settings.

Aisha Thomas

Aisha Thomas

Aisha Thomas

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.

Schedule

On-Site Solution Tree Bookstore Open Throughout Event

Agenda and speakers are subject to change.

Detailed agenda and summaries

Monday, October 27th

7:00–8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:00–9:45 a.m. Keynote
9:45–10:00 a.m.

Break

10:00–11:30 a.m. Breakouts
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Lunch (on your own)

1:00–2:30 p.m.

Breakouts

2:30–2:45 p.m.

Break

2:45–3:45 p.m. High-Impact Talks by Principals

Tuesday, October 28th

7:00–8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:00–9:45 a.m. Keynote
9:45–10:00 a.m.

Break

10:00–11:30 a.m. Breakouts
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Lunch (on your own)

1:00–2:30 p.m.

Breakouts

2:30–2:45 p.m.

Break

2:45–3:45 p.m. Leadership Forums

Wednesday, October 29th

7:00–8:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

8:00–9:30 a.m.

Breakouts

9:30–9:45 a.m. Break
9:45–11:45 a.m.

Keynote

Accommodations

Events reach capacity quickly. Please confirm your registration before making travel plans.

While discounted rooms in our hotel room block may be sold out, the primary hotel may still have rooms available at their standard rates. Please inquire directly with the hotel.

Hotels

Primary Hotel

Marriott Tacoma Downtown

1538 Commerce St
Tacoma, Washington 98402
253.294.9200

Discounted Rate: $179 per night
Deadline: September 25, 2025 or until group rate is sold out. Online Reservations

Events reach capacity quickly. Please confirm your registration before making travel plans.

Parking information:
Greater Tacoma Convention Center - 0-15 min $0, 0-4hrs $8, 4+hrs $16
Marriott - discounted to $18 per vehicle

Venue

Greater Tacoma Convention Center

1500 Commerce St

Tacoma, Washington

Hear from our attendees

Event Reviews

“I found all of the keynote sessions to be very engaging and relevant. Each of the presenters was knowledgeable about the content and shared tips and practical strategies to assist site administrators in building and sustaining culture. As a high school principal I found the final keynote to be the most valuable to me. Mr. Jones was outstanding and it was nice to hear the perspective of a high school colleague. Thank you! ”

Tony Newman, principal/assistant, Ramona High School, California

“The information was amazing. I left with a new drive to improve our school culture through PLC.”

Nicole Overton, principal/assistant, Overhills High/Spring Lake, North Carolina

“I appreciated the 'why' combined with the 'how to'—and I felt that the presentations were done in a way that demonstrated how we can present this information to our school site.”

Janet Gates, principal/assistant, Pleasanton Unified, California

More details

Additional Information

Product code: CFF843


Five Reasons to Attend a Solution Tree Event (PDF)
A Letter to Your Boss (DOC)

You will receive a certificate of participation 6 weeks after the event concludes. Please check with your department of education for CEU availability.


On-Site Solution Tree Book Co-Op Discounts

  • Buy 5 or more Solution Tree titles or resources and receive 30% off and free shipping
  • On-site book co-op open daily throughout the event

Discounts above are for on-site purchases only. Does not include any non-Solution Tree product, toolkit, or sale table items. Purchase orders and credit cards accepted. We now accept Apple, Google and Samsung Pay onsite. Continental US only.


Included with your registration

Anchor Your Vision

Anchor Your Vision

This book is for educators who have a strong desire to lead the type of change in districts and schools that impacts learning for both students and the adults who serve them. With practical action steps and tools, the book helps educators put their district’s or school’s mission into action to achieve their vision.

Event Journal

Event Journal

We’re enhancing your event experience. In addition to providing presentations in digital format, Solution Tree is publishing retail-quality, perfect-bound notebooks expertly designed to support your learning. Any printed handouts or worksheets integrated into your sessions will continue to be provided.

Contact Us.