Power of Place Learning Communities

03/18/2026

The education sector often mirrors the business world’s impatient, survival-of-the-fittest mentality. New tools and ideas are rushed to the classroom without due diligence and, on the other end, worthy efforts are often abandoned before they can fully take root and spread.

True systemic change takes time, and requires patience. There are no magic bullets that can change our flawed educational system overnight.

Read more from our Executive Director Dr. Jane Feinberg, Ph.D. and Dr. Kate Slater, Ph.D. on how merging Power of Place Learning Communities and the Teacher Collaborative (TTC) teaches about building the future.

Check out the Barr Foundation for the full piece:

Choosing Collaboration Over Competition | Barr Foundation provides insights, stories, and updates on what’s driving impact and equity in our communities.

02/24/2026

Congratulations to Andover Public Schools Director of Social Work Joseph Yarid on your retirement! We are grateful to the contributions you have made to the ECLC community over the years and for sharing your experiences to help shape the educator experience for us all.

02/19/2026

Dr. Jane Feinberg and Dr. Kate Slater urge other nonprofit leaders to find partners with shared philosophical values, complementary strengths, and a commitment to radical transparency. We can accomplish so much more when we work together.

Read their blog for the Barr Foundation here: https://www.barrfoundation.org/blog/choosing-collaboration-over-competition/

02/17/2026

Power of Place Executive Director Jane Feinberg partnered with Dr. Kate Slater on this timely blog, reflecting on what they learned in the months leading up to the merger of Power of Place Learning Communities (PoP) and the Teacher Collaborative (TTC).

Check it out on the Barr Foundation’s blog: https://www.barrfoundation.org/blog/choosing-collaboration-over-competition/

02/04/2026

In case you missed it: At the end of 2025, Karen Pittman of Youth Today published an illuminating OpEd about chronic absenteeism. This piece reflects on the ways educators can find and address the specific reasons for excused and unexcused absences and move beyond punitive approaches.

Looking at what motivates students to attend when they don’t have to could be the secret to helping communities reduce chronic absences.

02/02/2026

Help shape the future of educator preparation in Massachusetts!
DESE is seeking passionate educators at all levels to serve as Educator Preparation Reviewers. In this role, you’ll use your real-world experience to help strengthen coursework, clinical practice, support systems, and hiring pipelines for the next generation of teachers and school leaders. Reviewers receive a $500 stipend, 30 Professional Development Points, and public recognition for their leadership and impact.
Apply by February 16 by visiting: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8256389/Ed-Prep-Reviewer-Application-2025-26 or email [email protected] with questions.

01/31/2026

Our weekend assignment for the 2027 Teacher of the Year Nominees: Complete your application to move forward in the process and receive well-earned recognition for all that you do. The deadline to apply is Monday: tinyurl.com/mastoy2027app

01/29/2026

Thank you to Peter Franklin from Swampscott High School for joining us today at our Winter Gathering and leading an insightful workshop on Mindfulness for Educators. Hear Peter talk about how taking a moment to "put our backpacks down" helps us as educators and helps our students.

01/29/2026

Heidi is an educator at Beverly Middle School and a poet. Thank you, Heidi for leading our Educators, Express Yourself! Poetry Playshop for Educators session at today's Winter Gathering and sharing the importance of telling our stories through poetry and words.

01/29/2026

We are excited to be kicking off our 2026 Winter Gathering: Presence, Purpose, & Place. Today is an educator-led day of professional learning focused on belonging and growth.

01/28/2026

Calling all Teacher of the Year nominees! You are the changemakers who will help lead our profession forward and you deserve to be recognized for it! Visit tinyurl.com/mastoy2027app to complete your application before the February 2 deadline.