As professional learning communities become more widespread, educators have learned that they canœt simply form grade-level or subject-area teams and call it a day. To profoundly affect teacher practice and student learning, PLCs need strong and knowledgeable leadership. In this book, the author draws on his extensive experience helping schools and districts implement effective PLCs to explore this crucial but often-overlooked need. Taking a two-pronged approach to PLC facilitation, he offers targeted guidance both for leading the people in teacher teams and for facilitating their work. This practical resource provides: Strategies for facilitating interactions among colleagues in PLCs and building trust and buy-in; Field-tested, user-friendly protocols to focus and deepen team discussions around texts, data, teacher and student work, teacher dilemmas, and collaborative planning time; Tips for anticipating and addressing interpersonal conflicts and obstacles that commonly arise during use of protocols.