The PL Playbook

In this episode, we rewind it back to the early days of the podcast and recap the do's and don'ts of professional learning. We also share our PL goals for this year! Check out the following links for recent research and literature that align with the best practices we shared in this episode: ⁠Moving from Compliance to Agency: What Teachers Need to Make Professional Learning Work⁠ ⁠Effectiv...

After taking a brief hiatus, I'm back! In this episode, I chat with Ashlie Crosson, the 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. Take a listen to not only hear from an amazing educator, but find out a BIG surprise to kick off season #3! Interested in joining the show as a guest this season? Fill out the brief form below: ⁠https://sites.google.com/view/the-pl-playbook-podcast/guest-request?authus...

In this episode, I provide a brief overview of the curriculum storyboarding framework and urge you to think about how the process could be used to map out long-term professional learning for teachers. Check out these supplemental resources for more information: https://www.ascd.org/books/streamlining-the-curriculum?variant=123020 https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/storyboarding-your-curriculum https...

Hey there, edu-friends! In this episode, I share my top 3 tips for making the most of your attendance at an educational conference. I also highlight 3 exciting conferences upcoming in 2024! Visit the links below for more info: ASCD Conference NCTE Conference Learning Forward Conference

In this brief episode, I challenge you to choose one word to reflect your professional learning intentions for 2024. What will your word be? In the episode, I also mention the upcoming leadership panels being hosted by Swivl. For more information, check out the following link: https://www.swivl.com/leadership-panel/

In this episode I share a little bit about Reflection Roundtables. This discussion protocol is a great way to prompt reflection with teachers. Take a listen, and then check out the associated resources linked below: Reflection Roundtable Discussion Protocol Reflection Roundtable Question Template

Hey there, edu-friends! In this episode I chat with Julie Overly and Amy Odgers, two amazing instructional coaches from the Upper Merion Area School District located near Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Julie is in her 23rd year as an educator and has taught a variety of grade levels in several countries, including Tanzania and Israel. She currently supports Kindergarten through 4th grade teachers acro...

In this episode, I chat with professional learning consultant Melissa Duckworth. Melissa is a former colleague of mine, and a few years ago, we dove head first into creating gamified PL experiences for our staff. Listen as we discuss some of our favorite challenges. After listening, check out the related resources linked below!: Pie Party Challenge Super Bowl Challenge Mardis Gras Challenge March...

In this episode, I briefly describe what it means to gamify professional learning for educators, as well as share some of the benefits. Below is a link to one gamified PL experience that you can implement with teachers prior to the Thanksgiving holiday: https://www.smore.com/gd3n6-fall-coaching-challenge

In this episode, I describe a unique twist on the traditional classroom book tasting event. Take a listen to hear how this activity can be used by PL facilitators to expose teachers to a variety of educational resources. You can check out resources related to this episode below: Book Tasting Presentation: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFrM5x8ksc/N0mV7AzoWRdOV6Ch5EhHow/edit?utm_content=DAFrM5x8ksc&...

In this episode, I chat with Ellen Eisenberg. Ellen is the Executive Director of The Professional Institute for Instructional Coaching (TPIIC), which offers support for instructional coaches and school leaders. Ellen had a profound impact on me during the beginning of my career as a coach, and she offers great insight to educators in this episode. For more information about TPIIC, visit this link:...

In this episode, I chat with Maryland teacher Matt Green. Matt has been an educator for 20 years, and is also National Board Certified. Listen as he shares what going through the process was like and how he grew professionally as a result. For more information about National Board Certification, check out: https://www.nbpts.org/

In this episode, I chat with Delaware educator Carol Leveillee about how she provides professional learning through PLCs. Carol has been in education for 40 years, and currently is the principal of Frederick Douglass Elementary School in Seaford, Delaware. She is a National Distinguished Principal and a Terrel H. Bell award winner. Most notably, Carol turned around her school from being one of the...

Yay for the first episode of season #2! In this episode, listeners are encouraged to REFLECT on the content shared in season #1, SELECT one (or more!) PL ideas that resonated with them, and DIRECT a plan to implement the practice(s) within their school, district, or organization. I also share a birthday gift for listeners at the end of the episode! The following two links were referenced in the ep...

In this episode, I chat with educators Gina Fugnitto and Katie Fuchs, both who work for Collaborative Classroom, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to "ensure that all students become readers, writers, and thinkers who learn from, care for, and respect one another." Gina is the Vice President of Implementation for the Center for the Collaborative Classroom , while Katie manages th...

Today's episode is brief! Take a listen to hear about the first-ever PL Playbook Summer Book Club! Below are two links referenced in the episode: Edutopia Article: How to Balance Resting, Reflecting, and Learning This Summer PL Playbook Summer Book Club Interest Form: https://forms.gle/PgRwm9C54cppmNsN6

In this episode, I chat with educator Elizabeth Dampf. Elizabeth is currently the Director of Professional Learning for Round Lake Area Schools 116 in the Chicago area. She has also authored several notable articles and blogs for ASCD, which can be found here: https://www.ascd.org/people/elizabeth-dampf . You can connect with Elizabeth on Twitter @ElizabethDampf .

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Donna Spangler. Donna is a current instructional coach for the Derry Township School District located in Hershey, PA. She is also the Department Chair for the Instructional Coaching Department, a consultant for the professional learning platform Sibme, a former co-president of Learning Forward Pennsylvania, and an author of various education-related articles, among...

In this episode I chat with Dr. John Zesiger, Superintendent of the Moshannon Valley School District located in Pennsylvania. We talk about all things related to professional learning for administrators. One thing Dr. Z discusses is the amazing leadership training his team has received from Bartell & Bartell. If you're interested in learning more, visit: https://bartellbartell.com/ I also...

In this episode, I talk with educator Josh Korb. Josh is the Director of Innovation for the Bermudian Springs School District located in eastern Pennsylvania. Take a listen to hear how Josh has led the development and implementation of personalized professional learning in his district. In addition to serving in his current role, Josh works as a freelance consultant, is the founder of master3du (a...

In this episode, I chat with Meghan Hooper, a former instructional coach who currently serves as a Student Engagement Facilitator for the Ephrata Area School District located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Take a listen to hear how Meghan and her team use exit ticket data to drive their professional learning model and offerings. For a copy of her district's PL exit ticket, check out this l...

I recently attended the PETE&C Conference. If your role is in any way connected to educational technology, it’s definitely one worth checking out! While at the conference I took the opportunity to interview 4 random attendees about their conference highlights, as well as their general thoughts related to PL. Special thanks to Autumn Zaminski, Nicole Bond, Chris Stuchko, and Melissa Duckworth f...

In this episode, I chat with Kathryn Laster. Kathryn has dedicated 33 years of her life to the field of education, and is currently a Digital Learning Consultant for the Region 10 Service Center in northern Texas. She also co-hosts the podcast Digital Learning Radio. Kathryn has an intense passion for professional learning and has spent many years networking with fellow educators via #CoffeeEDU. L...

In this episode, I chat with middle school English teacher Leah Markert and high school social studies teacher Ally Durney. Listen as they share a little bit about their experience participating in teacher-designed (and led!) professional learning teams. Note: If you missed episode #14, you'll want to listen to that one first, as I talk at length about these unique PL teams and how they work.

Hooray for the first episode of 2023! In today's segment, I discuss my district's unique twist on the traditional PLC model. Looking for a surefire way to allow teachers to explore their professional learning passions, while at the same time growing teacher leadership and building collective efficacy within your school? Look no further! Below are a ton of resources related to today's episode topic...