New Multimedia Workshop Illustrates the Importance of a Solid PLC Foundation

BLOOMINGTON, IN--(Marketwired - June 09, 2016) - Solution Tree, a premier educational publisher and professional development provider, has announced the release of Creating and Protecting the Shared Foundation of a Professional Learning Community at Work™, a user-friendly multimedia workshop created and presented by PLC at Work™ champions Richard DuFour, Rebecca DuFour, Tim Brown, and Mike Mattos. The workshop provides educators with greater clarity about the PLC process and outlines the necessary groundwork for building and sustaining the process.

The workshop's creators argue that educators often attempt to implement the professional learning community process without first establishing the solid foundation that is essential to sustaining the process. That solid, shared foundation consists of four pillars: mission, vision, values (collective commitments), and goals. The work of collaborative teams within a PLC organization is built upon the four pillars.

Presented in eight segments, the workshop introduces and outlines the four pillars of a PLC foundation. The creators emphasize that a solid PLC foundation begins with the development of a strong and meaningful mission statement. They state: "In a true PLC, a mission statement represents more than words on paper. It is a constant reminder of the purpose and priorities of the school or district and drives the day-to-day work of educators." From there, they show how the four pillars support each other, explain how to align practices and processes with the PLC foundation, and provide strategies for persuading stakeholders to support implementation of the PLC process.

Included in the workshop video is a short segment featuring Rick DuFour, Becky DuFour, Tim Brown, and Mike Mattos role-playing members of a PLC school (a principal and a teacher team) who use the PLC foundation as a basis for having a conversation about grading practices.

Creating and Protecting the Shared Foundation of a Professional Learning Community at Work™ can be viewed as a standalone video or used with the CD facilitator guide to create two half-day workshops or one full-day workshop for teams.

Creating and Protecting the Shared Foundation of a Professional Learning Community at Work™ is now available at SolutionTree.com.

About the Authors

Richard DuFour, was a public school educator for 34 years, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. A prolific author and sought-after consultant, he is recognized as one of the leading authorities on helping school practitioners implement the Professional Learning Communities at Work™ process in their schools and districts.

Rebecca DuFour, has served as a teacher, school administrator, and central office coordinator. As a former elementary principal, she helped her school earn state and national recognition as a model PLC. Serving as a consultant for more than 15 years, Becky brings over 35 years of professional experience to her work with educators around the world who are implementing the PLC process in their own organizations.

Tim Brown, a consultant, has 28 years of experience in education. As principal of elementary, middle, and high schools in Missouri, he led each to become a successful professional learning community. These PLCs feature highly collaborative environments where clear goals, formative assessment, analyzing data, practicing differentiated instruction, and providing interventions and enrichment have resulted in increased student achievement.

Mike Mattos, an internationally recognized author, presenter, and practitioner, specializes in uniting teachers, administrators, and support staff to transform schools. Mike is a former principal of Marjorie Veeh Elementary School and Pioneer Middle School in California, where he helped create cultures of success, improving learning for all students.

About Solution Tree

Solution Tree delivers comprehensive professional development to schools and districts around the world. Solution Tree has empowered K-12 educators to raise student achievement through a wide range of services and products including educator conferences, customized district solutions for long-term professional development, books, videos, online courses, and more.