PLC at Work® Is Being Reignited by Leaders Like This

PLC at Work® Is Being Reignited by Leaders Like This

I sat down with Dr. Anthony Muhammad [https://www.solutiontree.com/anthony-muhammad.html] for Schoolutions [https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast] S3E37 to talk about his book The Way Forward: PLC at Work and the Bright Future of Education, and this conversation just landed in the top 20 most listened-to episodes in our summer series re-release. Anthony spent nearly twenty years as a teacher, assistant principal, and high school principal before becoming one of the most respected voices in school leadership and instructional leadership today. We get into the three big ideas behind real professional learning community work: a focus on student learning, collective effort over individual effort, and evidence-driven decision-making. This is effective teaching and instructional strategies at the school-wide level, not just a classroom-by-classroom fix. Anthony also breaks down the difference between healthy and toxic school culture, and he explains the actual physical harm that negative collaboration does to a staff. If school improvement in your building feels stuck, this names why. We talk about what separates true commitment from what Anthony calls PLC Lite, and he lays out six non-negotiable tights that define PLC Right.  Episode Mentions: * The Way Forward: PLC at Work® and the Bright Future of Education [https://www.solutiontree.com/products/the-way-forward.html?utm_source=st-native-ad&utm_medium=signature-graphic&utm_campaign=1077150] by Anthony Muhammad [https://www.solutiontree.com/presenters/anthony-muhammad.html?utm_medium=signature-graphic&utm_source=st-native-ad&utm_campaign=1077150] * Dr. Richard DuFour [https://www.solutiontree.com/richard-dufour.html] * The Alchemist [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-alchemist-paulo-coelho/6433883?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmMayBhDuARIsAM9HM8dGzz-Mrc8YYtpn5CJnsJncYs2TWJIT2bOdkk8O8GWqMkmgdDPbidYaAvsuEALw_wcB]by Paulo Coelho * Robert Eaker [https://www.solutiontree.com/robert-eaker.html]  * The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning Organization [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-fifth-discipline-the-art-practice-of-the-learning-organization-peter-m-senge/8665680] by Peter Senge * Thomas J. Sergiovanni [https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Thomas-J-Sergiovanni-79105657] * Shirley Hord [https://learningforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/hord301.pdf] & Milbrey McLaughlin [https://gardnercenter.stanford.edu/people/milbrey-mclaughlin] * Madeline Hunter - ITIP [https://melissaschoffstall.weebly.com/hunters-itip-model-for-direct-instruction.html] * Professional Learning Teams [https://www.edweek.org/professional-learning-teams] * Transforming School Culture: How to Overcome Staff Division [https://www.solutiontree.com/transforming-school-culture-2nd.html] by Anthony Muhammad * MTSS [https://osepartnership.org/mtss-i#:~:text=About%20NYSED%20MTSS%2DI%20Center,practices%20within%20a%20tiered%20system.] * Marzano High Reliability Schools [https://www.marzanoresources.com/hrs/high-reliability-schools/#conIframewrapp] * Learning by Doing, Fourth Edition: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work® [https://www.solutiontree.com/learning-by-doing-fourth-edition.html?utm_campaign=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=&utm_campaign_id=20162093921&utm_ad_id=&utm_id=%7Bsourcecode%7D&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmMayBhDuARIsAM9HM8emmdN0kf_ldXpf3GNE6Qr_m3zzEa3OtoSv9XtZQxEunkkq39jH9qIaAnbbEALw_wcB] by Richard DuFour, Rebecca DuFour, Robert Eaker, Thomas W. Many, Mike Mattos, Anthony Muhammad Would you rather watch this conversation? Here's the YouTube link [https://youtu.be/bTi39ZA2BXE]. Chapters: 0:00 Welcome and introducing Dr. Anthony Muhammad 1:51 The mentor behind the book: Rick DuFour 4:00 Why the book is structured past, present, future 9:24 The story behind the cover art 12:28 The three big ideas of PLC at Work 18:48 Turning big ideas into staff-specific questions 21:20 Healthy vs. toxic school culture 24:44 The physical toll of negative collaboration 29:44 PLC Lite vs. PLC Right 33:17 The six non-negotiable tights 39:06 The best first step for educators 41:15 Closing thoughts and where to find the book Schoolutions [https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast] is the podcast for educators and school leaders, families and homeschoolers, and the coaches, counselors, and mentors who believe every student deserves to thrive. Join our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child. 🌿Ready to grow alongside your children? Book a coaching session with me here [https://www.oliviawahl.com/printable-resources/p/professional-mentorship-expert-networking]. We'll unlock the expert who is already within you and surround you with a community of educators committed to forever getting better through collective expertise. 🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl Don't forget to 🔔SUBSCRIBE [https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast/] for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE the episode! #schoolutions #schoolutionspodcast #forevergettingbetter #curiositydriven #evidencebasedclassroomreadystrategies #PLCatWork® #atplc #anthonymuhammad #solutiontree #RichardDuFour #RobertEaker #SchoolCulture #InstructionalLeadership #SchoolImprovement #TeacherCoaching #ProfessionalLearning #EffectiveTeaching #EducationLeadership #PLCatWork #TeacherSupport #WholeChild #StudentSuccess  When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.

Science of Reading & The PreK Years (NYSED Literacy Brief 4)

You're about to hear one of the most downloaded episodes from the last five years of this podcast. The audio may be rougher than what you hear now, but I'm not going back to clean it up. You're hearing exactly where I started, and I trust that the growth shows on its own, the same way I hope my work as an educator does. ___________________________ I continue my conversation with Dr. Wendy Bunker around the recently released Science of Reading Literacy Briefs [https://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/literacy-briefs] by the New York State Education Department [https://www.nysed.gov/], produced for the NYSED by Nonie K. Lesaux, PhD [https://www.gse.harvard.edu/directory/faculty/nonie-lesaux], and Katie C. Carr, M.Ed. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katecurrancarr/] This S3E28 episode focuses on Literacy Brief 4: Science of Reading: The PreK Years and the vital role the PreK years play in lifelong literacy.  Episode Mentions: * NYSED Literacy Briefs [https://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/literacy-briefs] & Literacy Brief 4: Science of Reading: The PreK Years [https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/standards-instruction/literacy-brief-4.pdf] * Dr. Nonie K. Lesaux [https://www.gse.harvard.edu/directory/faculty/nonie-lesaux] * Katie C. Carr, M.Ed. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katecurrancarr/] * High-Impact Practices [https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/curriculum-instruction/literacy-briefs-presentation.pdf]  * CR-SE [https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/vision-and-mission/culturally-responsive-sustaining-education#:~:text=We%20call%20it%20%E2%80%9Cculturally%20responsive,nationality%2C%20religion%2C%20or%20ability.] * SEL [https://www.p12.nysed.gov/sss/documents/SELBenchmarks2022.pdf] * NRP Report 2019 [https://www.nichd.nih.gov/research/supported/nrp]   * PROOF POINTS: Controversies within the science of reading [https://hechingerreport.org/proof-points-controversies-within-the-science-of-reading/] by Jill Barshay [https://hechingerreport.org/author/jill-barshay/] * UDL [https://teaching.cornell.edu/teaching-resources/designing-your-course/universal-design-learning] * MTSS [https://mtss4success.org/essential-components] * Choice Time [https://www.heinemann.com/products/e07765.aspx] by Renee Dinnerstein [https://www.heinemann.com/authors/100093.aspx] * Teacher Tom’s First Book [http://www.teachertomsfirstbook.com/] & Second Book [http://www.teachertomsfirstbook.com/books.html] by Tom Hobson [http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/] * Tools of the Mind [https://www.routledge.com/Tools-of-the-Mind-The-Vygotskian-Approach-to-Early-Childhood-Education/Bodrova-Leong/p/book/9780367758967] by Elena Bodrova [https://www.routledge.com/search?author=Elena%20Bodrova], Deborah Leong [https://www.routledge.com/search?author=Deborah%20Leong]  Would you rather watch this conversation? Here's the YouTube link [https://youtu.be/YcNgnXYe6To]. Chapters: 0:00 – Intro: Revisiting a fan-favorite episode 1:29 – Welcome & introducing Dr. Wendy Bunker 2:00 – Overview of Literacy Brief 4: "The Science of Reading: The Pre-K Years" 3:04 – The Big Six literacy skills (from the Big Five to adding oral language) 5:05 – Understanding the high-impact practices bar graph (pre-K time distribution) 9:12 – Print-rich classrooms & memorized read-alouds (the "Brown Bear" example) 10:36 – Page two graphic: structures and processes for high-impact practices 12:37 – Why page three is a favorite: high-impact practices in action for pre-K 14:33 – Deep dive: phonological awareness, phonics, spelling & word study 15:29 – The Hechinger Report findings: letters + sounds nearly doubles phonemic awareness effectiveness 16:30 – Phonics vs. phonological awareness vs. phonemic awareness, explained 19:19 – Page four: supporting English learners and students with identified needs (UDL framework) 21:34 – Considering research gaps for diverse learners 21:57 – Book recommendations (Dinnerstein, Teacher Tom, Bodrova & Leong) 22:36 – Closing thoughts on joy and play in literacy 23:24 – Outro & credits Schoolutions [https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast] is the podcast for educators and school leaders, families and homeschoolers, and the coaches, counselors, and mentors who believe every student deserves to thrive. Join our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child. 🌿Ready to grow alongside your children? Book a coaching session with me here [https://www.oliviawahl.com/printable-resources/p/professional-mentorship-expert-networking]. We'll unlock the expert who is already within you and surround you with a community of educators committed to forever getting better through collective expertise. 🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl Don't forget to 🔔SUBSCRIBE [https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast/] for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE the episode! #schoolutions #schoolutionspodcast #forevergettingbetter #curiositydriven #evidencebasedstrategies #classroomreadystrategies  When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.

Counting Down the Top 20 Schoolutions⁩ Episodes This Summer

There's a magic to the 1980s and 90s childhood memories that just doesn't exist anymore. Did you grow up waiting by the radio on Sunday mornings for Casey Kasem's American Top 40? My sister and I would sit next to a clock radio for four hours, waiting for the number-one song in America. That kind of countdown is worth reviving. I’m taking a trip back to the era of analog weekend rituals, from the anticipation of the weekly Top 40 countdown to the chaotic energy of watching American Gladiators at my dad's house. This summer, Schoolutions [https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast] is counting down the top 20 most-listened-to episodes from Seasons 1 through 5. Starting Friday, July 3rd, a new episode drops every Monday and Friday, from number 20 down to number 1. These episodes address what teachers actually wrestle with: classroom belonging, student motivation, low engagement, classroom behavior, and how to reach kids who seem checked out. You'll also find conversations built for coaches and school leaders around instructional coaching, teacher support, school culture, professional development, and what it takes to move from good intentions to real school improvement. Caregivers and homeschoolers are in here too. Episodes on parent communication, the home-school connection, and supporting student success outside the classroom. Season 6 kicks off in September. Chapters: 0:00 The idea behind the summer countdown 0:28 How the Schoolutions Top 20 works 1:05 What topics the episodes cover 1:30 Season 6 is coming 🌿Ready to grow alongside your children? Book a coaching session with me here [https://www.oliviawahl.com/printable-resources/p/professional-mentorship-expert-networking]. We'll unlock the expert who is already within you and surround you with a community of educators committed to forever getting better through collective expertise:  #Schoolutions #SchoolutionsPodcast #ForeverGettingBetter  #CuriosityDriven #EvidenceBased #ClassroomReadyStrategies #ClassroomBelonging #StudentEngagement #StudentMotivation #ActiveLearning #InspiringStudents #EffectiveTeaching #InstructionalStrategies #TeachingTips #InnovativeTeaching #InclusiveTeaching #TeacherCoaching #InstructionalCoaching #TeacherSupport #NewTeachers #CoachingStrategies #ProfessionalDevelopment #SchoolLeadership #SchoolCulture #PrincipalStrategies #ParentInvolvement #HomeSchoolConnection #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #EquityInEducation #InclusiveClassrooms #ProKidMindset #WholeChild #StudentSuccess #EmpoweredEducators #EducationTransformation #TeacherImpact #Homeschoolers #InstructionalLeaders #SchoolCounselors #EducationLeadership #Schoolutions #EducationPodcast When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.

Season 5 Finale: Truths About Teaching in Uncertain Times

How do we approach parenting advice and teaching children when the world keeps changing? After over 40 conversations with experts during Season 5 of Schoolutions [https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast], I am summarizing the key ideas for supporting children during uncertain times. You will learn the surprising answer that nearly every expert discussed as the foundation for modern child development and the throughline every expert kept returning to: the expertise isn't out there in the next program or framework. It's already within you, and it's already within the child in front of you. Inside this episode: • What separates expert teachers from experienced ones (hint: they're "nosy") • How a child's identity as a reader, writer, and mathematician is built in everyday moments • Why whole child teaching (brains, bodies, hearts, and play) isn't softer teaching, it's more demanding teaching • What inclusive classrooms and culturally responsive teaching look like in practice • Why classroom belonging is the condition for learning, not a bonus after learning • How civic life, climate, and community belong inside education transformation • What's coming this summer (a Best Of archive series) and in Season 6 (For Teachers, By Teachers, and Forever Getting Better) Featuring ideas from: John Hattie, Angela Stockman, Molly Ness, Maria Walther, Kay Stahl, Patty McGee, Melanie Meehan, Maggie Roberts, Mona Iehl, Wendy Ward Hoffer, David Price, Eli Harwood, Rusty Keeler, Tom Gelardi, Stacey Shubitz, Dr. Courtney Bishop, Beverly Falk, Erin Patterson, Chris Hass, Muriel Summers, Cornelius Minor, Dr. Kass Minor, and many more. 📚 Book a coaching session with Olivia: https://oliviawahl.com 🎙 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 👍 If this episode helped you, leave a review. It helps more educators and caregivers find the show Chapters:  0:00 Intro — Teaching in the age of change 1:10 The expertise is already within you (John Hattie & expert teacher habits) 2:40 Professional learning & instructional coaching (Sandy Halpin, Larry Ainsworth, Angela Stockman, Chrissy Beltran) 3:30 Student identity as readers — orthographic mapping, read-aloud & phonics (Molly Ness, Maria Walther, Kay Stahl) 4:05 Writing, voice & the brain — student engagement through writer's workshop (Patty McGee, Katie Keier, Melanie Meehan, Maggie Roberts) 4:30 Math confidence & rebuilding student motivation (Mona Iehl, Wendy Ward Hoffer) 4:55 Science wonder, multilingual learners & student agency (David Price, Beth Skelton, Tan Huynh, Sarah Zerwin, Dr. Rebecca Winthrop) 5:45 Whole child — brain-body connection, attachment, play & emotional safety (Gravity Goldberg, Eli Harwood, MJ Murray Vachon, Rusty Keeler, Tom Gelardi, Kate Driscoll) 6:50 Inclusive classrooms — childhood illness, disabilities & neurodivergence (Suzanne Stone, Brett Fox, Stacey Shubitz, Dr. Courtney Bishop) 7:30 Rethinking the model of school — microschools, homeschool & regenerative education 8:05 Early childhood, equity & housing instability (Beverly Falk, Erin Patterson, Dr. Kris Nystrom, Dr. Fabi Bagula) 8:55 Civic life, climate stewardship & student leadership (Chris Hass, Colleen O'Brien, Muriel Summers, Xochitl Bentley) 9:30 Community is unshakable — Cornelius & Dr. Kass Minor close the season 10:30 Thank you & what's coming this summer (Best Of archive series) 11:40 Season 6 preview — For Teachers, By Teachers, Forever Getting Better 12:30 Book a coaching session with Olivia + closing #Schoolutions #TeachingTips #EffectiveTeaching #StudentEngagement #ActiveLearning #ClassroomBelonging #WholeChild #InspiringStudents #InstructionalCoaching #ProfessionalDevelopment #SchoolCulture #SchoolLeadership #InclusiveTeaching #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #EquityInEducation #ParentInvolvement #FamilyPartnerships #EmpoweredEducators #EducationTransformation #TeacherSupport #NewTeachers #ProKidMindset #OliviaWahl #PodcastForTeachers #Season5Finale When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.

Teaching Fiercely: Why Teachers Need Autonomy to Transform Schools

What does it look like to lead with both ferocity and grace, and why do so many teachers forget that admitting your feelings isn't the same as admitting defeat? In Part 2 of my S5E43 Schoolutions [https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast] conversation, I continue my conversation with Cornelius Minor⁩ [https://www.theminorcollective.com/cornelius-minor]  (author of We Got This [https://www.theminorcollective.com/books/we-got-this-equity-access-and-the-quest-to-be-who-our-students-need-us-to-be]) and Dr. Kass Minor [https://www.theminorcollective.com/kass-minor] (author of Teaching Fiercely [https://www.theminorcollective.com/books/teaching-fiercely-spreading-joy-and-justice-in-our-schools]), co-founders of The Minor Collective [https://www.theminorcollective.com/]. We discuss why grace and ferocity are twin concepts and how embracing emotional vulnerability is actually a mark of true strength. We also talk about what sustains teachers through hard times, what school leadership really looks like when it's built around empowered educators, and how marveling at the children right in front of you can change everything. You'll learn: → Why grace is ferocity's twin and what "speculative grace" means for inclusive teaching → How admitting your feelings builds real community (Cornelius's unforgettable skateboard story) → What instructional leadership looks like when it centers authentic learning conversations → Why every teacher, coach, and caregiver must claim the title of knower → Cornelius's two-step summer practice: witness a young person, then marvel Kass and Cornelius also share what it's like to co-found The Minor Collective while raising two daughters together, and what their marriage teaches them about community, humility, and beautiful chaos. 💫Check out Part 1 [https://youtu.be/vTmarCP8D1M] & some resources mentioned: * ➡️ We Got This [https://www.theminorcollective.com/books/we-got-this-equity-access-and-the-quest-to-be-who-our-students-need-us-to-be] by Cornelius Minor [https://www.theminorcollective.com/cornelius-minor] * ➡️ Teaching Fiercely [https://www.theminorcollective.com/books/teaching-fiercely-spreading-joy-and-justice-in-our-schools] by Dr. Kass Minor [https://www.theminorcollective.com/kass-minor] * ➡️ The Minor Collective [https://www.theminorcollective.com/] * ➡️ The Will to Change [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Will-to-Change/bell-hooks/9780743456081] by bell hooks (on change) * ➡️ On Re-Finding Ferocity: When there are no more lines to hold [https://www.theminorcollective.com/blogs/on-re-finding-ferocity-when-there-are-no-more-lines-to-hold] * ➡️ Pedagogy of the Oppressed [https://bookshop.org/lists/pedagogy-of-the-oppressed-by-paulo-freire?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=dsa_nonbrand&utm_content={adgroupname}&utm_term=dsa-19959388920&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12440232635&gbraid=0AAAAACfld42pVsh5DOrGTfw8Zu-xWEzI8&gclid=CjwKCAjwl97RBhBWEiwAa9rbXXeHDrlJNTRxrFFsgcmRRd_c4VkljAixmW_NXhh00Li7AKe432ezKRoCahQQAvD_BwE] by Paulo Freire * ➡️ Emma Goldman [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/goldman-1869-1940/] * ➡️ Zaretta Hammond [https://crtandthebrain.com/about/] * ➡️ Sankofa (Akan concept) [https://www.berea.edu/centers/carter-g-woodson-center-for-interracial-education/the-power-of-sankofa] Chapters: 0:00 Intro: Grace, ferocity, and keeping hope alive in hard times 1:45 What does it mean to refind your ferocity? 3:30 Sankofa: drawing fuel from ancestors and looking back to move forward 5:30 Grace is ferocity's twin; rethinking what sustains teachers 6:45 Cornelius's skateboard story: Joe, Malcolm, and admitting your feelings 9:30 Vulnerability in instructional leadership: what it really looks like 11:30 Curriculum inquiry conversations and the ecosystem of learning 14:00 The Minor Collective at home; co-creating a life and a mission 17:30 Beauty and chaos: what partnership and marriage teach about community 20:00 Can you ever turn the work off? On the personal and professional being enmeshed 22:00 Lessons from outside the US; listening to children and honoring what they bring 24:30 Who gets to be a knower? Why teachers must claim their expertise 28:00 The evolution of coaching: dialogic, facilitative, and side by side 29:30 Where does hope live? The tweens, the teens, and thrifting 32:00 Two steps for summer: witness a young person and marvel 34:30 Wrap-up + what's coming in season six Schoolutions [https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast] is the podcast for educators and school leaders, families and homeschoolers, and the coaches, counselors, and mentors who believe every student deserves to thrive. Join our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child. 🌿Ready to grow alongside your children? Book a coaching session with me here [https://www.oliviawahl.com/printable-resources/p/professional-mentorship-expert-networking]. We'll unlock the expert who is already within you and surround you with a community of educators committed to forever getting better through collective expertise. 🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl Don't forget to 🔔SUBSCRIBE [https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast/] for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE the episode! Next Week:  I'm doing something a little different. I'm sitting with the big ideas from this season; the threads that have run through every conversation, and I'm thinking out loud with you about what's coming. About a vision I am so passionate about, one that is at the heart of what Season 6 will be: For Teachers, By Teachers, and Forever Getting Better. That theme is close to my heart for many reasons, including a book I've been pouring myself into that's coming your way in spring 2027. I cannot wait to share more. #schoolutions #schoolutionspodcast #forevergettingbetter #curiositydriven #evidencebasedstrategies #classroomreadystrategies #education #teachers #schoolculture #teachercoaching #instructionalcoaching #inclusiveteaching #culturallyresponsiveteaching #equityineducation #teachingfiercely #minorcollective #professionaldevelopment #schoolleadership #studentengagement #wholechild #grace #ferocity #marvel  When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.