Ryan Tauriainen, Executive Director at Teach for America D.C. and Virginia, discusses the power of district and public school leaders working together.Since his days as a school principal more than ten years ago, Ryan Tauriainen has harbored a dream. “I had always thought there should be a small community of practice. A group of principals who visit schools together and learn from one another in an intimate setting. And it needed to be a mix of District of Columbia Public School (DCPS) and DC Public Charter, which rarely happens,” Ryan tells us.
As Executive Director of Teach for America (TFA) D.C. and Virginia, Ryan finally brought that dream to life. But who to partner with? “I didn’t want to work in isolation. The work that School Leader Lab focuses on is very much aligned with Teach for America’s vision statement, so it really was a no- brainer. They already have a reputation for excellence and impact.” In the fall of 2023, with the support of Education Forward DC, Teach for America D.C. and Virginia and School Leader Lab launched the first-of-its-kind School Leader Professional Learning Community (PLC).3 As Ryan envisioned, the group consisted of 18 principals, half from charter schools and half from DCPS. Seven of DC’s eight wards were represented, with most participants serving in Title I schools. Collectively, they had 92 years of school leadership under their belt.
Ryan continues, “Even after just one year, the PLC has proven its success. On the closing survey everyone asked to join again next year. I had several participants tell me it was the best professional development series they had ever experienced. Some of these leaders have been running schools for over a decade, so hearing that, despite their extensive experience, this was the best they had ever encountered? That is huge.”
One highlight truly stands out for Ryan. “There was a particular principal, also a TFA alumna, who had led a DCPS school in Chevy Chase for the past ten years. Touring schools as part of the PLC and witnessing examples of excellence—especially in the neighborhoods that benefit the most—was so inspiring for her that she went to the Chief of Schools and requested a transfer to where she was needed most in the district. That type of impact and change is not something I would have anticipated if someone had asked me what I dreamed of ten years ago.”
The success of these impactful school visits did not happen overnight; it required ongoing improvements. “In our first session, we focused more on solving problems rather than showcasing what participants were truly proud of and what other leaders could implement in their schools. To increase our impact and benefit 17 schools, we needed to highlight best practices.”
Ryan brought these considerations to School Leader Lab, and “there was a big shift at the second school visit. I noticed a marked improvement in participation and feedback. That was what people were thirsty for, and we continued that trend throughout the year.” Unlike experiences where constructive feedback is often misunderstood or overlooked, Ryan found that School Leader Lab embraced and acted on feedback immediately. “The fact that feedback from me and others was promptly implemented rather than ignored boosted our confidence in the PLC.”
TFA D.C. and Virginia, in partnership with School Leader Lab, will launch the second PLC this fall in DC. The success of the initial PLC has also opened the door to piloting a similar experience in TFA’s Mississippi Delta region. Ryan is eager to see the impact. “Having partners who are nearby, leading other schools, and whom you can call upon, bounce ideas off of, or vent to—those connections sustain principals and help them stay in their roles. It’s about creating that community, professional development, and connectivity that principals need to continuously improve their leadership, remain connected, and feel less isolated. This kind of support is crucial, and I believe the school leader community in our city would not be as robust without School Leader Lab. Supporting strong, equity-minded school leaders is essential for achieving excellent student results in the communities that benefit most. School Leader Lab has the expertise and history to demonstrate that.”