PLC at Work Summit

Phoenix, Arizona | February 1820, 2025 

Day 1

Tuesday, February 18th

6:30–8:00 a.m.

Registration

Location: Tower View 

Continental Breakfast

Location: Hemisfair Prefunction

8:009:45 a.m.

KeynoteProven, Practical, and Doable: Making the Case for PLCs at Work  

Mike Mattos

Location: Hemisfair Ballroom

9:4510:00 a.m.

Break

10:0011:30 a.m.

Breakout SessionsSession Descriptions

Tim BrownBuilding a Commitment to Learning in Students

Location: 304C

Daniel Cohan—Essential Standards and Learning Targets: Unpacking PLC Critical Question One

Location: 216A

Luis F. CruzTask Forces: Collectively Using PLC Characteristics to Serve Underperforming Student Cohorts 

Location: 217D  


Timothy D. Kanold—Your Physical and Mental Wellness: Thriving at Work and at Home! 

Location: 303C


Mike MattosAre We a Group or a Team? 

Location: Hemisfair Ballroom  


Anthony MuhammadCollaboration Is a Lifestyle, Not a Meeting!  

Location: 217A 


Maria NielsenShow Me What Ya Got: Student Engagement Strategies to Keep the Pulse on Learning

Location: 304A


Regina Stephens OwensThe Why Effect: Intentional Systems Drive Inspirational Cultures  

Location: 217B


Jeanne SpillerWe Need a Reboot: Reenergizing the Work of Professional Learning Communities 

Location: 303A  


Eric TwadellThrough New Eyes: Examining the Culture of Your School

Location: 217C 

11:30 a.m.1:00 p.m.

Lunch (on your own)

1:002:30 p.m.

Breakout SessionsSession Descriptions

Tim BrownHow to Build Student Ownership, Motivation, and Efficacy Through the Four Questions of a Collaborative Team

Location: 304C

Daniel CohanPLC Continuous Improvement: Tools and Techniques to Keep Your PLC Moving Forward

Location: 216A

Luis F. CruzEmbracing the Five Vessels: Do We Have the Right Climate and Culture to Become a High-Functioning PLC?

Location: 217D  


Timothy D. KanoldLeading the PLC Life: Eliminating Barriers by Teaching the Loose-Tight Culture! 

Location: 303C


Mike MattosTaking Action: How to Create a Highly Effective, Multitiered System of Supports

Location: Hemisfair Ballroom  


Anthony MuhammadTransforming School Culture: New Insights 

Location: 217A 


Maria NielsenThe 15-Day Challenge: Win Quick, Win Often!

Location: 304A


Regina Stephens OwensThe Learning Professional: Coaching Competence, Not Compliance  

Location: 217B


Jeanne SpillerYes We Can! Moving Beyond Labels Through the Partnership Between General and Special Educators 

Location: 303A  


Eric TwadellSocial and Emotional Learning in a PLC at Work

Location: 217C 

2:302:45 p.m.

Break

2:453:45 p.m.

Panel DiscussionPresenters answer your most pressing questions. 

Location: Hemisfair Ballroom

Day 2

Wednesday, February 19th

7:00–8:00 a.m.

Registration & Continental Breakfast

Location: Hemisfair Prefunction

8:00–9:45 a.m.

Keynote—The Way Forward: PLC at Work and the Bright Future of Education 

Anthony Muhammad

Location: Hemisfair Ballroom

9:45–10:00 a.m.

Break

10:00–11:30 a.m.

Breakout SessionsSession Descriptions

Tim BrownDeveloping Shared Leadership: Forming Your Guiding Coalition

Location: 304C

Daniel CohanTwo Steps Forward, One Step Back: Coaching Your PLC Through Resistance, Challenges, and Setbacks

Location: 216A

Luis F. CruzEnglish Learners and PLCs

Location: 217D  


Timothy D. KanoldYour PreK–12 PLC Mathematics Focus: Instruction and Tasks!

Location: 303C


Mike MattosRaising the Bar and Closing the Gap: Whatever It Takes in Secondary Schools

Location: Hemisfair Ballroom  


Anthony MuhammadFrom PLC Lite to PLC Right! 

Location: 217A 


Maria NielsenHelp Your Team: Overcoming Common Collaborative Challenges in a PLC at Work

Location: 304A


Regina Stephens OwensData Discussion for Instructional Leaders: From Data to Design to Demonstration of Learning  

Location: 217B


Jeanne SpillerRaising the Bar and Closing the Gap: Whatever It Takes in Elementary Schools

Location: 303A  


Eric TwadellGrading and Reporting for Learning: The Five Stages of Evidence-Based Grading

Location: 217C 

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Lunch (on your own)

1:00–2:30 p.m.

Breakout SessionsSession Descriptions

Tim BrownActivating the Keys of Formative Assessment to Create a Culture of Learning

Location: 304C

Daniel CohanTeams in a PLC: Essential Structures and Responsibilities

Location: 216A

Luis F. CruzTaping Before Painting: Blending the PLC and RTI Processes to Collectively Respond When Students Don’t Learn

Location: 217D  


Timothy D. KanoldMindfulness, Trust, and Relationship-Building Routines: Strategies for Living the PLC Life!

Location: 303C


Mike MattosBehavior Solutions: Leveraging the PLC at Work Process to Teach Essential Behaviors

Location: Hemisfair Ballroom  


Anthony MuhammadOvercoming the Achievement Gap Trap: Liberating Mindsets to Effect Change

Location: 217A 


Maria NielsenElementary ELA Strategies to Keep Your Students on Track

Location: 304A


Regina Stephens OwensSmall Schools and Singletons: Wired for Rigor and Relevance

Location: 217B


Jeanne SpillerIntentional, Courageous Leadership Starts With You!

Location: 303A  


Eric TwadellLeadership Matters: Four Essential Conversations for District, School, and Team Leaders

Location: 217C 

2:30–2:45 p.m.

Break 

2:453:45 p.m.

Team Time—Presenters aid in your collaborative team discussions. 

Location: Hemisfair Ballroom

Day 3

Thursday, February 20th

7:00–8:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

Location: Hemisfair Prefunction

8:009:30 a.m.

Breakout SessionsSession Descriptions

Tim BrownGrading: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Location: 304C

Daniel CohanPLC Continuous Improvement: Tools and Techniques to Keep Your PLC Moving Forward

Location: 216A

Luis F. CruzI Am Sold on PLCs: Practical Tools and Directions to Be Successful

Location: 217D  


Timothy D. KanoldHeart & Soul: Living a Fully Engaged, High-Energy, Well-Balanced Professional Life!

Location: 303C


Mike MattosGuiding Principles for Principals: Tips and Tools for Leading the PLC at Work Process

Location: 217C  


Anthony MuhammadBuilding Commitment and Overcoming Frustration on Your PLC Journey

Location: 217A 


Maria NielsenThe 15-Day Challenge: Win Quick, Win Often!

Location: 304A


Regina Stephens OwensThe Learning Professional: Coaching Competence, Not Compliance

Location: 217B


Jeanne SpillerProtocols for Results: Using Data Discussions to Achieve Higher Levels of Learning for All

Location: 303A  


Eric TwadellUsing AI Tools to Facilitate Better Teaching and Learning

Location: Hemisfair Ballroom

9:309:45 a.m.

Break

9:45–11:45 a.m.

KeynoteBeyond PLC Lite: Digging Deeper Into the Three Big Ideas of a Professional Learning Community at Work

Eric Twadell

Location: Hemisfair Ballroom

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