I love this time of year. I love it even more now as the mother of a third-grade teacher. I marvel as my daughter Leslie takes meticulous steps to design and organize her classroom to address challenges from the previous year and the new ideas she gained through professional reading and learning. In July she joined me at our summer conference and attended many sessions led by teachers describing their experiences and roles in advancing a learning community in their schools. Like many teachers in attendance, she was enthusiastic about possibilities in her school.

There were moments, however, when the hard reality of her position hit her. "If I'm not even on the school leadership team, why will anyone listen to any of my ideas?" she asked. "Should I even share what I learned with my principal?" She shared her dilemma with other conference attendees and they gave her reasons for moving forward. She made a list of possible actions they suggested she might take. She decided to begin by meeting with her principal to share some of her ideas. They scheduled breakfast and she prepared her list and even rehearsed what she would say.?

The breakfast could not have gone better. The principal shared she had developed a similar interest in learning more about PLCs over the summer. She was pleased to learn that Leslie would be interested in helping her to get them started in the school. She indicated her intention to introduce the idea at the first faculty meeting. Leslie left the breakfast with great anticipation.

Last night Leslie reported on her first day back. Her principal did indeed share her new vision for schoolwide improvement and her intention for the faculty to become a professional learning community. Each teacher will join one PLC focused on one school goal. Faculty meeting time will now be used as PLC time. She shared a definition of a PLC and indicated they will study what that means throughout the year. Leslie said her colleagues responded positively. She said her next big decision is choosing the right team.?

I'm excited for Leslie and look forward to watching and reporting on her journey of a new PLC. I wonder how many of you are embarking on a similar journey this year, and what you look forward to most? And for those of you continuing the journey, what advice can you offer to Leslie's school and the others like it?

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Stephanie Hirsh is NSDC's executive director.