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Build school culture where learning thrives

“After several months of research and dialogue with practitioners throughout the nation, it became apparent that the hype was real. PLCs . . . are being used by schools and districts of all sizes and demographics to make significant impacts on student achievement.”

Evaluating Professional Learning Communities: Final Report
An APQC® Education Benchmarking Project

The Professional Learning Communities at Work® process is increasingly recognized as the most powerful strategy for sustained, substantive school improvement. This institute gives you and your team the knowledge and tools to implement this powerful process in your school or district.

For three days, you'll have the opportunity to network with some of the most insightful minds in education, with presenters accessible to you throughout the event. This immersive experience includes four powerful keynote speakers at every institute. The fourth and final keynote will explore shared leadership, guiding coalitions, and the impact of a strong, healthy culture—not just for administrators, but for all educators.

Whether you're a teacher, coach, or leader just beginning to explore PLCs, this institute is an excellent way to build your knowledge base. For those who are already involved in deep implementation, it's the perfect opportunity to assess your progress, identify high-leverage next steps, introduce new team members to the process, and get answers to new questions.

As you delve deep into the three big ideas of a PLC—focusing on learning, building a collaborative culture, and results orientation—you will gain specific, practical insights for transforming your school or district into a place where all students learn at high levels, walking away with actionable strategies to drive lasting change together.

Venue

Monona Terrace Convention Center

One John Nolen Dr

Madison, Wisconsin

Learn from leading experts

Keynote speakers

Kristen Bordonaro

Kristen Bordonaro

Kristen Bordonaro

Kristen Bordonaro, EdD, has served as a school- and district-level administrator for the last 15 years. She’s worked with both private and public school districts as well as special education collaboratives. Dr. Bordonaro’s passion is in uniting school teams to support the needs of all students through an “all means all” model.

Tim Brown

Tim Brown

Tim Brown

Tim Brown is an internationally recognized presenter and practitioner who specializes in helping school leaders and teachers align their school improvement efforts across an entire campus and/or district.

David Jones

David Jones

David Jones

David Jones has more than 25 years of experience in education as a superintendent, principal, assistant principal, and teacher. He supports schools throughout the country with the professional learning community and response to intervention school improvement processes.

Timothy D. Kanold

Timothy D. Kanold

Timothy D. Kanold

Timothy D. Kanold, PhD, an award-winning educator and author, is former superintendent of Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125, a Model PLC at Work® district in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

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.

Mike Mattos

Mike Mattos

Mike Mattos

Mike Mattos is an internationally recognized author, presenter, and practitioner who specializes in uniting teachers, administrators, and support staff to transform schools by implementing response to intervention and professional learning communities.

Jeanne Spiller

Jeanne Spiller

Jeanne Spiller

With over 30 years of experience in K–12 education, author and education expert Jeanne Spiller is an associate with Solution Tree, supporting schools and districts through workshops, coaching, and collaborative initiatives to enhance instruction, foster innovation, and promote equity.

Schedule

On-Site Solution Tree Book Co-Op Open Throughout Event

Agenda and speakers are subject to change.

Detailed agenda and summaries

Monday, August 4th

6:30–8:00 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. Keynote

Tuesday, August 5th

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. Team Time

Wednesday, August 6th

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 - SOLD OUT

Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

9 East Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53703
608.255.5100

Discounted Rate: (single or double) $219 per night
Deadline: July 2, 2025, or until group rate is sold out.

Alternate Hotel 1

Best Western Premier Park

22 S Carroll Street
Madison, WI 53703
608.327.1134

Discounted Rate: (single or double) $199 per night
Deadline: July 12, 2025, or until group rate is sold out.

Online Reservations

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

Parking information: Monona Terrace: $16 per day
Hilton: $25 per day Self-Parking

Venue

Monona Terrace Convention Center

One John Nolen Dr

Madison, Wisconsin

Hear from our attendees

Event Reviews

“I was amazed by the wealth of knowledge of each presenter. Nothing threw them off guard. Their love and passion for what they know works showed through every question asked on the spot.”

Anita Cates, teacher, Poplar Bluff High School, Missouri

“The fact that I could bring 16 members of my new high school to hear about the importance of teacher leadership in building the foundation of professional learning communities was incredible. I have a staff who believes that all students will learn at high levels, and now they know how to ensure that this happens.”

Jen Lindaman, principal, Ankeny Centennial High School, Iowa

“I truly enjoyed this experience. Each of the presentations I viewed had presenters who were truly passionate about their jobs. They spoke a lot about their personal experiences and provided lots of opportunities for interaction.”

Zondra Moore, teacher, Miles Davis Kindergarten Center, Illinois

“This was my third year in a row, and I still learned a lot! You can’t ever hear the messages too many times. Outstanding job on updating and revising your work year after year.”

Erica Rausch, principal, Oak Ridge Middle School, Iowa

More details

Additional Information

Product code: CFF823

This event is eligible as a course credit through the University of Lynchburg. Click here to learn more.


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

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

Learning by Doing

Learning by Doing

The fourth edition of Learning by Doing comes bundled with our on-demand AI Book Assistant to help you explore key PLC at Work® concepts, apply proven strategies, access new ways to leverage PLCs for a highly effective MTSS, and get real-time support as you work to strengthen collaboration and improve student learning.

AllThingsPLC Magazine Single Event Issue

AllThingsPLC Magazine Single Event Issue

AllThingsPLC Magazine is a must-have for emerging and veteran professional learning communities (PLCs). Each issue includes PLC research, inspiration, fixes, how-tos, and more.

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.