Voyage Horizons

Professional Learning Communities

PD Modules

Struggling to support PLCs with limited time and resources? VOYAGE Horizons brings ongoing, impactful professional development right to your team.

For principals and district leaders, the challenge of supporting PLCs with limited time and resources is all too familiar. VOYAGE Horizons bridges the gap between theory and practice, transforming the potential of Professional Learning Communities into real classroom impact. This program delivers ongoing, research-backed professional development that integrates seamlessly into teachers' routines, ensuring measurable improvements in instructional practice and student outcomes—without adding to your workload.

The VOYAGE Horizons framework is built around three critical teams—each serving a unique function to ensure the success of schoolwide Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). These teams are distinct from traditional PLC structures, emphasizing strategic collaboration and targeted improvement at every level of the school.

  • VOYAGE Lead Team

    This team comprises school leaders, instructional coaches, and strategists who analyze school-wide needs using comprehensive data. Unlike traditional PLCs that may focus on broad collaboration without specific structures, the Lead Team creates a tailored roadmap for improvement, identifying unique challenges and aligning strategies to the school’s goals. Their work ensures that all efforts are informed by data and geared toward sustainable success​​.

  • PLC Facilitator Team

    The Facilitator Team supports and guides the implementation of PLCs, bridging the gap between leadership and teaching teams. These facilitators are trained to ensure that meetings are focused, data-driven, and productive. They build a positive culture, establish clear norms, and model collaborative problem-solving.

    Unlike typical PLCs, which might operate without a dedicated structure, facilitators in the VOYAGE framework ensure that every session aligns with schoolwide goals​​. By stepping into these roles, educators refine essential leadership skills such as effective communication, conflict resolution, and data-driven decision-making—skills they will carry forward as they advance in their careers​​.

  • PLC Teams

    These are the grade-level or subject-area teams of educators working collaboratively to improve instruction and student outcomes. While traditional PLCs often focus on general teacher collaboration, VOYAGE PLC Teams use a data-centric approach to continuously analyze student progress, adapt teaching strategies, and ensure equitable learning experiences for all students​​.

Why These Teams are Vital?

The VOYAGE Horizons framework addresses common pitfalls in traditional PLCs—such as lack of focus, inconsistent leadership, or ineffective use of data. By establishing a hierarchy of focused teams, it provides clear direction, builds capacity for leadership at all levels, and ensures collaborative efforts lead to measurable results. Educators are not only improving their instructional practices but also growing as leaders who can inspire and manage change in their schools.

This innovative framework transforms PLCs into platforms for continuous improvement, professional development, and meaningful academic success for students.

VOYAGE Horizons provides a comprehensive set of ready-made professional development modules to support school and district leaders in building effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). These modules offer a clear, step-by-step roadmap, guiding leaders through every stage of PLC implementation and management.

With VOYAGE Horizons, you’ll gain access to modules that cover essential aspects of PLCs, from needs analysis and goal setting to collaboration strategies, data-driven decision-making, and instructional practices. Each module is designed to save time and streamline efforts, providing practical guidance, research-backed strategies, and actionable steps that can be immediately applied in your school setting.

  • VOYAGE Horizons offers a step-by-step roadmap that guides school leaders through the entire process of establishing and managing effective PLCs.

  • Benefit from the firsthand experience of an educational professional who understands the challenges and nuances of implementing successful initiatives.

  • Through a meta-PLC, identify the root causes of ineffective PLCs and learn strategies to address them, ensuring sustainable and impactful PLCs.

  • Discover techniques to nurture and support skilled facilitators who can effectively lead PLCs, fostering collaboration and growth among educators.

  • Develop strategies to instill a culture of continuous improvement within your school, maximizing the potentials of your PLCs and driving positive change.

  • Access an array of specialized microlearning courses that delve into specific areas of PLC development, offering further professional growth opportunities for educators.

Curious to preview part of the VOYAGE Horizons ready-made PLC professional development? Click the button below to access the first section of the VOYAGE Horizons "The Source of the Issue" module.

Facing Resistance to PLCs at your School?

Resistance to Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) often stems from misconceptions, unclear goals, and a lack of foundational support. Educators may view PLCs as an added burden or compliance-driven initiative rather than a meaningful opportunity for collaboration and growth.

Ambiguity about the purpose and benefits of PLCs, combined with limited resources or training, can lead to frustration and disengagement. Additionally, fear of vulnerability and a lack of trust within teams can hinder the honest dialogue necessary for success.

To overcome these barriers, schools must address the root causes of resistance by building trust, setting clear goals, and providing professional development to equip educators for meaningful participation.

VOYAGE Horizons

Module 1: The Source of the Issue

Strong school-wide PLCs start with a leadership team that models the way—ready to lead the change?

This foundational module dives deep into the factors that hinder PLC success, guiding educators in identifying the root causes of inefficiency within their PLCs. Through practical needs analysis techniques and goal-setting strategies, Module 1 empowers you to establish a clear, actionable path to effective collaboration, fostering a culture that supports continuous growth in your school community.

Module 2: The Facilitator

A strong PLC begins with a great facilitator. Empower your PLC by identifying and supporting the right facilitator—someone ready to inspire collaboration and drive growth.

Focused on the pivotal role of the facilitator, Module 2 equips emerging PLC leaders with the skills and tools to guide their teams toward impactful collaboration. Learn to set norms, create a supportive culture, and lead data-driven discussions that keep meetings focused and productive. This module blends best practices and role-playing scenarios, enabling facilitators to foster an inclusive, goal-oriented PLC environment

Module 3: Continuous Improvement

Grow, adapt, and thrive—make every meeting a step forward in your PLC journey!

Module 3 emphasizes continuous improvement as the key to sustainable progress within PLCs. Through structured reflection, data-driven strategies, and collaborative problem-solving, educators will explore ways to refine practices and adapt to evolving challenges. Perfect for those committed to seeing lasting change, this module fosters a cycle of learning, adaptation, and success—benefiting teachers, students, and the entire school community

FAQs

  • Genevra Self is a former classroom teacher and instructional coach with over a decade of experience in K-12 education. She is the founder of Juniper Consulting LLC, where she helps schools build effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). Genevra believes in examining educational structures and protocols with a critical eye, constantly asking if current methods are effective and how they might be improved. Removing barriers to teacher and student success is a passion of hers. She often challenges the status quo by questioning, “Why are we doing things that don’t work?” and focuses on finding practical solutions that make a meaningful difference. This dedication to refining and improving processes led her to create the VOYAGE Horizons framework, which supports sustainable, impactful PLCs.

  • VOYAGE Horizons is a structured approach to building and sustaining effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) within schools. The framework focuses on creating three interconnected teams—the VOYAGE Lead Team, the VOYAGE Facilitator Team, and the VOYAGE Grade Level Team—that work together to support PLC implementation. Each team has a specific role, from strategic planning to on-the-ground instructional adjustments, ensuring that the PLCs stay focused on data-driven goals and continuous improvement

  • VOYAGE Horizons is unique because it includes a built-in support system with clearly defined roles for three levels of collaboration. Unlike many PLC models that operate in isolation or lack strategic guidance, VOYAGE Horizons provides structured support for each team, with the VOYAGE Lead Team overseeing strategic direction, the Facilitator Team bridging strategy to action, and the Grade Level Team implementing instructional changes. This layered approach keeps PLCs aligned, data-driven, and sustainable, addressing common pitfalls in PLC implementation.

  • Genevra created the VOYAGE Horizons framework after experiencing two failed attempts at implementing school-wide PLCs. She realized that success wasn’t just about teachers adopting PLCs; it also required effective leadership and structured support. Genevra saw a need for a model that includes leadership involvement, reflection, and training, which led her to develop VOYAGE Horizons. This framework reflects her belief that successful PLCs need clear roles, accountability, and continuous guidance to drive real improvement.

  • VOYAGE Horizons provides a comprehensive structure for PLCs that promotes effective collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement. By implementing this model, schools can create a strong support system that addresses the specific needs of both teachers and students. The three-tiered team approach allows for strategic planning, leadership development, and practical changes in the classroom, ensuring that the PLCs are focused and impactful.

  • Implementation of VOYAGE Horizons begins with a commitment from you as a school leader to actively participate and dedicate the necessary time and resources during the first couple years. While the goal is for PLCs to eventually become self-sustaining, with teachers developing the leadership skills to take ownership, achieving this requires a solid foundation. This groundwork starts with your role in a PLC specifically focused on supporting and refining the school’s PLCs.

    The program is set up to guide you through each phase, starting with the establishment of the VOYAGE Lead Team, composed of school leaders and instructional coaches, who conduct a needs analysis and create a strategic roadmap tailored to the school’s goals. Next, VOYAGE Facilitators—teacher leaders selected to lead grade-level or content teams—are trained by the Lead Team to guide collaborative discussions effectively. Finally, the VOYAGE Grade Level Teams, led by these facilitators, engage in data-driven instructional planning and adjustments that directly impact student outcomes. The program supports school leaders and teams at every step to ensure that the framework is implemented with a strong foundation for lasting impact.

  • Absolutely. While VOYAGE Horizons is designed to support teachers, it’s equally valuable for school administrators who play a critical role in PLC success. The framework emphasizes that for PLCs to truly thrive, school leaders need to be actively involved—not just delegating but fully engaging in their own PLC focused on identifying and removing barriers that may prevent teachers’ PLCs from being effective. This means that as a school leader, you are expected to be part of a collaborative, data-informed process to address issues that impact PLC progress, from resource gaps to structural roadblocks.

    VOYAGE Horizons provides administrators with a clear set of tools and strategies for building a strong foundation for PLCs, including how to analyze needs, create strategic roadmaps, and support facilitator training. By shifting the focus from compliance to real, data-driven improvement, administrators can drive meaningful change that benefits both teachers and students. Instead of seeing PLCs as just another requirement, VOYAGE Horizons empowers school leaders to create a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, making a lasting impact on the entire school community.