Professional Learning Communities

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.

When educators collaborate with clarity and purpose, Tier 1 instruction gets stronger—and all students benefit. This webinar showcases how schools across New York State are enhancing Tier 1 instruction through the PLC at Work® process. Participants will explore how collaborative teams design and use Common Formative Assessments (CFAs) to gather evidence of instructional effectiveness and make informed adjustments. The session highlights the power of job-embedded professional learning that occurs when educators work in teams to respond collectively to student needs. Attendees will also learn how building networks across schools accelerates improvement by sharing strategies and successes.

To make deep contributions to the lives of our students, we must first embrace routines and practices of self-care and self-compassion. During this interactive webinar, Dr. Timothy D. Kanold will take you on a high-energy, inspiring, and reflective examination of how to stay balanced and fulfilled in your professional life. Timely topics that mean the most during this unprecedented time will be addressed—from stress management to effective planning to meaningful engagement with students and colleagues.

Scott M. Beattie is the assistant superintendent for instruction of the Windsor Central School District in Windsor, New York. With over 15 years experience, he specializes in professional learning community and Community School implementation, technology integration, and K–12 career pathway development.

Laurie Feinzimer, PhD, is the director of social-emotional learning at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, where she collaborates with academic divisions and teacher teams to integrate well-being and emotional learning into instructional practices..