We helped John F. Kennedy High School reach a 97% graduation rateLearn more

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

Seattle Convention Center
Arch Building Entrance

800 Pike Street

Seattle, Washington

Learn from leading experts

Keynote speakers

Scott Carr

Scott Carr

Scott Carr

Scott Carr has more than 30 years of experience as an educator and administrator at the middle school level. He was the principal at Heritage Middle School in Liberty, Missouri, for 21 years.

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.

Sharon V. Kramer

Sharon V. Kramer

Sharon V. Kramer

As an author and a leader in the field, Sharon V. Kramer, PhD, emphasizes the importance of creating and using quality assessments as a continual part of the learning process. Dr. Kramer served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction of Kildeer Countryside School District 96 in Illinois.

Maria Nielsen

Maria Nielsen

Maria Nielsen

Maria Nielsen, educational speaker and author, specializes in supporting teachers and administrators in the areas of PLCs, RTI, school culture, curriculum design, the highly engaged classroom, and assessment systems. Her life’s work is to help schools build successful systems to ensure high levels of student learning.

Nathaniel Provencio

Nathaniel Provencio

Nathaniel Provencio

Nathaniel Provencio is associate superintendent in Prince William County, Virginia. Under his leadership, Minnieville Elementary School was recognized as a Model Professional Learning Community and was the 2019 winner of the prestigious DuFour Award.

Sarah Schuhl

Sarah Schuhl

Sarah Schuhl

Sarah Schuhl specializes in professional learning communities, mathematics, assessment, school improvement, and RTI. She has been a secondary mathematics teacher, high school instructional coach, and K–12 mathematics specialist.

Jason Williams

Jason Williams

Jason Williams

Dr. Jason Williams is an educational consultant specializing in the PLC at Work® process to improve collaborative practices and student achievement. With experience as a teacher, coach, and administrator, he holds advanced degrees in educational leadership and curriculum design

Schedule

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

Agenda and speakers are subject to change.

Detailed agenda and summaries

Tuesday, August 5th

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

Wednesday, August 6th

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

Thursday, August 7th

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

Hyatt Regency Seattle — SOLD OUT

808 Howell Street
Seattle, WA 98101
888.591.1234

Discounted Rate: (single or double) $319 per night
Deadline: July 14, 2025, or until group rate is sold out

Alternate Hotel

Hyatt at Olive 8

1635 8th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
206.695.1234

Discounted Rate: (single or double) $319 per night
Deadline: July 14, 2025, or until group rate is sold out

Online Reservations

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

Parking information:
Hyatt Regency - Self parking $48
Hyatt at Olive 8 - Valet with in/out privileges: $59 per day
Arch Parking Garage

All rates are per day and subject to change.

In order to receive the discounted hotel room rate, please mention Solution Tree. After the deadline listed below, rates will be determined by the hotel.

Venue

Seattle Convention Center
Arch Building Entrance

800 Pike Street

Seattle, Washington

Hear from our attendees

Event Reviews

“I have so many things to take back to my team! The sessions were really excellent and worth the trip! I have lots of new ideas that I have presented to my principal already.”

Erin McClellan, teacher, Peralta Elementary School, Arizona

“Very informative conference! My school team was energized and walked away with concrete examples of how to expand our PLC process.”

Pat Kurtz, principal, Santa Margarita Elementary School, California

“I learned so much about implementing PLCs in my district. This conference gave me all of the research and evidence to show how PLCs impact learning, not only for the students but for the staff as well.”

Stefanie Hill, curriculum director, Genoa Kingston CUSD #424, Illinois

“The keynote speakers were wonderful, entertaining, inspiring, and informative. The audiovisuals were great, location spectacular, and the accommodations were superb.”

Sue Larkins-Hall, teacher, Anne Wien Elementary School, Alaska

More details

Additional Information

Product code: CFF826

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

  • 30% off 5 or more Solution Tree titles or resources
  • 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

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.