Empowering Minds and Creating Futures at Juniper Consulting
Recent Posts
Recalibrating PLCs for a Successful School Year
As a school leader, you may find yourself looking at your Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and thinking, These could be better. Meetings happen, discussions unfold,
How School Leaders Can Use AI to Streamline Teacher Workloads
Empowering Teachers: Reducing Workload with AI and Strategic Support Teaching is an incredibly demanding job. Between lesson planning, grading, parent communication, administrative tasks, and more,
The Role of Active Listening in Effective School Leadership
In education, where decisions and directives often dominate the landscape, it’s easy to overlook the quieter skills that truly make a difference. Among these, active
Establishing Trust and Building Relationships: A Guide for Instructional Coaches
In a previous article, we talked about the power of a sticky note—a simple, yet profound way to celebrate others and build trust through small,
The Power of a Sticky Note: Building Trust and Celebrating Success as an Instructional Coach
Imagine this: an assistant principal walks into your classroom, not for an observation, not for a walk-through, but simply to leave a sticky note on
Beyond One-Size-Fits-All Professional Development
In a recent TikTok video discussing what teachers would say about professional development (PD) if asked, one educator, Princess A, commented: “My biggest wish for
Literacy Professional Development Reimagined: Bridging PLCs with The Science of Reading
Professional development in education often mirrors a revolving door – an endless cycle of trainings that promise much but deliver little in terms of practical
Leveraging PLCs to Cultivate Gen Z’s Soft Skills Gap
As Generation Z (Gen Z) increasingly populates the workforce, their unique set of digital skills and perspectives brings a new dynamic to the workplace. However,
From Clashes to Collaboration: Resolving Differences in a Professional Learning Community
A Tale of a Derailed Professional Learning Community Imagine a group of educators, diverse in experience and expertise, convening to discuss the latest NWEA MAP
Empowering Teacher Leadership: A Key to Transformative PLCS
School leaders face a myriad of challenges, particularly in fostering effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). One significant hurdle is the disconnect between teacher capabilities and
Overcoming Communication Challenges in Education Teams
School leaders frequently confront the challenge of underperforming teams and grade levels. Often, these issues stem not from a lack of skill or dedication among
Elevating Professional Development Through Professional Learning Communities
The educational landscape is perpetually evolving, reflecting the dynamism of societal, technological, and pedagogical shifts. Within this context, the professional development (PD) of educators stands
Reimagining PLCS with The Science of Reading PD
Turning Past PLC Challenges into Future Successes: A Strategic Plan for Integrating the Science of Reading In my journey as an instructional coach, I’ve spearheaded
The Short Data Cycle
The Evolution of Data-Driven Decision Making in PLCs: Unveiling the Short Data Cycle Within the expansive realm of educational leadership and instructional practices, Professional Learning
Reflections on the Journey of an Instructional Coach
Being an instructional coach is a unique and rewarding experience, filled with both challenges and triumphs. My journey in education spans over 20 years, during
Rethinking Instructional Coaching: The Power of Teacher Tag-Outs for Professional Development
As an instructional coach, I adhered to the traditional method of observation and feedback cycles, often seen as the bedrock of teacher development and support.
Revisiting the First 30 Days as an Instructional Coach
Rethinking Classroom Observations: An Instructional Coach’s Bold Take on Best Practices The increasing popularity of my previous article, “Starting a New Role as an Instructional
My Favorite AI Tools to Enhance eLearning
In an era where technology seamlessly integrates into our daily tasks, its influence in education is both transformative and expansive. A year ago, I founded
Identifying Training Needs: A Guide to Effective Needs Analysis
Master the art of needs analysis with our step-by-step guide. Identify and address training gaps effectively to boost your team’s performance.
Tailoring Training to Your Team: How to Choose the Right Approach
Tailoring Training to Your Team: How to Choose the Right Approach Onboarding new talent, upskilling current team members on new procedures, introducing fresh software or
ChatGPT? Never Heard of It
ChatGPT? Never Heard of It Chances are you’ve heard about ChatGPT and Claude, AI tools that have recently surged into the mainstream. AI evokes a
Identifying and Developing Skilled PLC Facilitators
Discover the key to transformative PLC collaboration: learn how to identify and develop skilled facilitators who can guide your teams to success.
Why Some PLCs Excel and Others Stagnate: The Facilitation Factor
Have you ever wondered why some PLCs start off and continue strong, while others don’t seem to get off the ground? My first encounter with
The Challenges of Professional Learning Community Implementation
The Complex Landscape of PLC Implementation As a teacher or school leader, you’ve likely engaged with Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), designed to foster a collaborative
Integrating Adult Learning Principles in Professional Development
Embracing Adult Learning for Effective Development Adult learning theory, also known as andragogy, distinguishes the specific ways adults acquire and process information differently from children.
Revitalizing Professional Development: A Call to Action for School Leaders
As a school or district leader, you’re likely familiar with a common refrain among teachers: the majority of professional development (PD) sessions are, at best,
The Perfect Time for Planning: February’s Role in PLC Success for the Next School Year
The Perfect Time for Planning: February’s Role in PLC Success for the Next School Year As the school year begins, many educational leaders set out
Empowering Teacher Growth with Professional Learning Communities
In the quiet confines of her office at Green Valley Elementary, Principal Martinez pondered a pressing challenge: how to support her teachers in their journey
Overcoming Resistance to Change in Professional Learning Communities
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are integral to fostering collaboration and improvement in educational settings. Yet, a common challenge that many school leaders face is the
The Top 10 Challenges in Professional Learning Communities
Top 10 Challenges in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) In the bustling staff room of Sunridge Middle School, teachers gather for their weekly Professional Learning Community
The Art of Embracing Change: How Teacher Resistance Impedes PLC Growth
The Art of Embracing Change: How Teacher Resistance Impedes PLC Growth In the realm of education, the phrase “Professional Learning Communities” (PLCs) often resonates with
Beyond One Size Fits All Professional Development: How to Meet the Needs of Learners
For school administrators responsible for planning impactful professional development, understanding adult learning theory is key. Malcolm Knowles pioneered the concept of andragogy – the art
Starting a New Role as an Instructional Coach: Your First 30 Days
Beginning a new role as an instructional coach can be incredibly exciting and also anxiety-provoking. As you start building relationships and learning the lay of
The School Leader’s Guide to Needs Analysis for Transformational Professional Development
As school leaders, providing impactful professional development that improves teaching practices is one of our most important and challenging responsibilities. Too often, the PD sessions
The Critical Role of Needs Analysis in PLC Success
The Critical Role of Needs Analysis in PLC Success Implementing Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) requires careful planning and preparation for success. Conducting a comprehensive needs
Microlearning for School Leaders: Revolutionizing Professional Development
Microlearning for School Leaders: Revolutionizing Professional Development In the dynamic world of education, school leaders are continuously seeking innovative methods to enhance professional development for