Revisiting Professional Learning Communities at Work: New Insights for Improving Schools
Richard DuFour, Robert Eaker, and Rebecca DuFour, the 3Rs of professional learning communities, are among the nation's foremost authorities on applying PLC principles in the real world of schools. They consult with state departments, professional organizations, and school districts throughout North America on strategies for improving schools. <P>Richard DuFour, Ed.D., was a public school educator for 34 years, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He was principal of Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, from 1983 to 1991 and superintendent of the district from 1991 to 2002. During his tenure, Stevenson became what the United States Department of Education (USDE) has described as one of the most recognized and celebrated schools in America. Stevenson has been repeatedly cited in the popular press as one of America's best schools and referenced in professional literature as an exemplar of best practices in education.<P>Rick is the author of 75 professional articles, and he wrote a quarterly column for theJournal of Staff Developmentfor almost a decade. He was the lead consultant and author for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's seven-part video series on the principalship.<P>Rick was presented the Alumni Achievement Award from Illinois State University, the Distinguished Scholar Practitioner Award from the University of Illinois, and the Distinguished Service Award from the National Staff Development Council.<P>Rebecca B. DuFour, M.Ed., has served as a teacher, school administrator, and central office coordinator. As a former elementary principal, Becky helped her school earn state and national recognition as a model professional learning community. She was the lead consultant and featured principal in the Video Journal of Education programElementary Principals as Leaders of Learning(2003) and is one of the featured principals inLeadership in an Age of Standards and High Stakes(2001).<P>Becky has written for numerous professional journals, reviewed books for the Journal of Staff Development, and authored a quarterly column forLeadership Compass, published by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.<P>Robert Eaker, Ed.D., is a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Middle Tennessee State University, where he also served as dean of the College of Education and interim vice president and provost. Bob is a former fellow with the National Center for Effective Schools Research and Development. He has written widely on the issues of effective teaching, effective schools, helping teachers use research findings, and high expectations for student achievement. He was cited byPhi Delta Kappanas one of the nation's leaders in helping public school educators translate research into practice. Bob was instrumental in the founding of the Tennessee Teachers Hall of Fame and was a regular contributor to the Effective Schools Research Abstracts series.