Leadership teams are often expected to monitor PLCs. But monitoring isn’t enough.

If you’re not meeting regularly as a team to look at adult collaboration, analyze breakdowns, reflect on leadership moves, and plan targeted support—you’re not leading your PLC system. You’re observing it.

The Leadership PLC is where real leadership lives. It’s where we model what we ask of teachers. And it’s where the work finally starts to stick.

So if your PLCs feel inconsistent, shallow, or overly dependent on one or two strong personalities, don’t just look at the facilitators. Look at the system. And start with yourself.

I once believed strong teachers would naturally become strong facilitators. But facilitation requires skills that are rarely part of teacher preparation or classroom experience. Teaching students and leading adults involve fundamentally different competencies. Teachers are trained to deliver instruction, manage a classroom, and guide individual learners. PLC facilitation requires navigating adult personalities, prompting reflective discourse, balancing conflicting ideas, and maintaining neutrality while guiding a team toward shared decisions.

A deep dive into the challenges PLC facilitators face and why school leaders must train and support teacher-leaders to build effective, trust-based collaboration.

Time Isn’t the Problem—It’s What We Prioritize

"How do we find time for PLCs?”

It's the wrong question. The better question is:
What does our use of time say about what we value?

I recently worked with a school that faced the same challenge so many leaders encounter—limited schedules, sub shortages, and no common planning time. The solution wasn’t more minutes—it was a mindset shift.

In this new article, I unpack:

• Why time feels like a barrier to PLCs

• How leadership decisions reflect school values

• One real-life example of a school that extended PLC time without adding minutes to the day

• Leadership moves that protect collaboration even during staffing shortages

As DuFour said, “High-performing districts relied on a common culture of values to shape collective action…”

If you’re leading PLC work in your school or district, this is for you.

Discover why PLCs often stall and how to identify root causes like skill, knowledge, motivation, or resource gaps. Includes practical AI prompts to support efficient planning and meaningful collaboration for school leaders.

Learn how to transform your PLC's “I Notice / I Wonder” discussions into focused, student-centered goals. This step-by-step guide includes a real-world 6th grade math team example, tools for action planning, and simple ways to use AI (like ChatGPT) to support more efficient, impactful PLC meetings.

This article outlines a practical, yearlong roadmap for school leaders to explore AI integration through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). It emphasizes a “go slow to go fast” approach—starting with small pilots, reflection, and alignment with instructional goals before broader adoption. The piece also introduces the VOYAGE Horizons PLC ChatGPT as a planning tool to support leaders in designing intentional, teacher-driven AI exploration.

Most educators leading PD were never trained to do it—we figured it out as we went. In this piece, I reflect on the missteps I made and the breakthrough that reshaped how I think about implementation. If professional development keeps failing to make it into classroom practice, we have to ask why. This article explores the shift that changed my thinking—from designing for compliance to designing for progress—and how frameworks like Jobs to Be Done are helping me build professional learning that teachers actually use.

After leaving education to recover from burnout, I founded Juniper Consulting to reimagine what professional learning communities support could look like. Today, I lead the implementation of an AI-powered tool designed to personalize Tier 3 intervention, helping bridge the gap between innovative technology and the real needs of teachers and students—without losing the human connection.

AI is rapidly evolving in education, but thoughtful implementation is key to ensuring it supports rather than replaces teachers. This article explores AI’s potential to differentiate instruction, streamline administrative tasks, and enhance learning, while highlighting the role of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in helping schools adopt AI responsibly.

Discover the top three reasons Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) often struggle—skill gaps, low motivation, and ineffective facilitation—and learn actionable strategies to address these challenges. Perfect for school leaders looking to reenergize PLCs in the new year with practical tips, reflective questions, and a focus on fostering collaboration and trust.

Students and teachers are already using AI tools in the classroom, from ChatGPT to MagicSchool AI—but are schools ready? This article explores how Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) can help educators navigate the complexities of AI, from creating ethical guidelines to training staff and integrating effective tools. Learn how PLCs can bridge the gap between technology and education.

Discover how AI tools like ChatGPT, Play.ht, and Synthesia transformed Juniper Consulting LLC. Learn how small business owners and instructional designers can save time, cut costs, and boost creativity with these powerful tools.

Discover how to create impactful Science of Reading professional development by balancing research-based theory with practical classroom strategies. Learn how the gradual release model ensures teachers leave PD ready to implement evidence-based literacy practices the next day.

Learn how to identify, train, and support facilitators who bridge the gap between school-wide strategy and classroom practices, fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and building thriving PLCs that benefit teachers, leaders, and students alike.

Overwhelmed by data in your Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)? Discover actionable strategies to overcome data overload, foster effective collaboration, and reignite the power of PLCs. Learn how to streamline data management, enhance communication, and create meaningful change in your school.

Walkthroughs shouldn’t leave teachers feeling criticized or demoralized. A strengths-based approach to classroom observations focuses on what’s going well, building trust, confidence, and collaboration. Discover practical strategies to turn walkthroughs into positive, growth-oriented experiences.

Learn how the VOYAGE Horizons framework helps educators build successful Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) through a structured approach that supports data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and sustainable growth. Discover the role of each team—Lead, Facilitator, and Grade Level—in this model developed by an experienced instructional coach.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of responsible AI use in education, focusing on integrating AI into schools in ways that prioritize student privacy, fairness, and academic integrity. It covers the practical benefits of AI, like personalized feedback and streamlined lesson planning, while also addressing common risks and misuse, including data privacy concerns and over-reliance on AI. Clear policies and digital ethics education are highlighted as key steps for schools to foster a responsible AI culture, ensuring AI remains a supportive tool in the classroom.