Building PLCs from the Ground Up
Create and Sustain Effective Collaborative Teams
Virtual | April 29, 2026
Building PLCs from the Ground Up
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the power of collaboration among educators is more critical than ever. This session, led by Garth Larson, Ed.D, Co-Founder and CEO of FIRST Educational Resources, delves into the foundational elements necessary to create and sustain effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). With a focus on practical, actionable strategies, participants will explore how to build PLCs from the ground up, ensuring that collaboration is meaningful, purposeful, and impactful.
Key Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the Importance of Collaboration: Recognize the value of collaborative teams and why they are essential for enhancing student learning outcomes.
- Develop a Purpose Statement: Learn how to establish a clear, shared purpose for your collaborative time, aligning team efforts with a common mission focused on student success.
- Establish a Vision for High-Functioning PLCs: Utilize the Worst/Best Protocol to create a vision that guides your team’s collaborative practices, ensuring high impact and effective teamwork.
- Create Team Impact Plans: Gain insights into developing Team Impact Plans that address specific instructional challenges, prioritize actions, and set clear goals for student improvement.
Event Details
April 29, 2026
10:00 am - 1:30 pm CENTRAL
Zoom Event
Session Recording
This session is recorded and will be available until September 30, 2026.
Event Presenter
Garth Larson
Presenter
Garth Larson, Ed.D is the Co-Founder and CEO of FIRST Educational Resources. Garth has previously worked as the Director of Learning for the Winneconne Community School District in northeast Wisconsin, was an elementary principal in two separate buildings and started his career in education as a high school speech and English teacher. In 2011, Garth formed Wisconsin Educational Resources (now FIRST) with a focus on improving student achievement across the United States. Since 2011, over 2000 school districts throughout the globe have become partnership districts with his company. Garth currently consults with school districts around the world and provides customized professional development around a variety of topics, mainly Professional Learning Communities 2.0, Learning-Centered Grading Practices, Leadership and School Improvement. Garth is also the author of Collaborative Systems of Support: Learning for ALL with co-authors Tom Hierck and Chris Weber, Target-Based Grading in Collaborative Teams: 13 Steps to Moving Beyond Standards with co-author Tom Hierck, Grading for Impact: Raising Student Achievement through a Target-Based Assessment and Learning System and PLC 2.0: Collaborating for Observable Impact in Today’s Schools with co-author Cale Birk.

