Professional Learning Communities

Ann Alfonso has been the principal of Bethke Elementary, a Model Professional Learning Communities at Work® school in Timnath, Colorado, since 2008. She is passionate about sustaining a positive, inclusive culture and developing young educators.

James Luttrell has more than 20 years of experience in education—from preschool to high school and from rural to urban. He specializes in data analysis protocols, improving school culture, and implementing professional learning communities (PLC) processes.

Dr. Jeff Washington is the principal of a Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work® elementary school in Georgia. With a nearly 20-year career spanning various educational fields, his work has helped generate successful outcomes for schools and stakeholders.

Terry Goodin, EdD, is a professor of education at Middle Tennessee State University. He has both K–12 and higher education teaching experience, as well as 13 years of corporate experience in marketing.

Heather Silvia is a presenter with over 30 years of experience as an educational leader and inspirational keynote speaker. A Model PLC at Work® principal, she maintains laser focus on collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and leadership development.

Jim Judd has been an educator for almost 30 years and currently serves as Timpanogos Middle School’s principal in Heber City, Utah. There, Jim helped lead the PLC process, which resulted in TMS being named a Model PLC at Work® school.

Brandi Genenbacher, EdD, serves as the director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment at Orchard Farm R-V School District in Missouri, where she supports K–12 staff in implementing professional learning communities and data-driven interventions.

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.

Jon-Eric Ziaer is the principal of Reedy High School in Frisco, Texas. Previously, he served as associate principal at Liberty High School in Frisco ISD, which he helped lead to Model PLC status. He was previously a curriculum director and a high school social studies teacher.