Message from Crystal Cubbage, published in the last edition of the PLC Newsletter, June 2025

Closing This Chapter and Honoring The Journey

Dear Friends and Partners,

Since 2018, the Philadelphia Learning Collaborative (PLC) has been privileged to create extraordinary moments for educators across K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, and youth-facing organizations throughout our city—all in service of giving students more engaging, relevant, and human-centered learning experiences.

Our mission centered on elevating teachers as the experts they are. We provided educators with opportunities to lead professional development for their peers, offered coaching to ensure their success, and connected them with industry experts. Most importantly, we built bridges across more than 12 school communities that are too often isolated from one another.

PLC has always believed that supporting teachers' ongoing growth—their skills, mindsets, and teaching toolkits—while treating them with the respect that reflects our deep regard for their profession, is fundamental to transforming education in Philadelphia and beyond. When we improve the overall well-being of teachers, we have the power to transform our students, schools, communities, and ultimately, our nation.

On June 30, 2025, PLC will wind down operations. We are immensely proud of the lasting impact we've made and have compiled legacy packages to ensure the insights we've gained continue to inspire future educators. These packages—available HERE—contain a curated collection of turnkey teaching tools, professional development agendas, and templates ready for immediate use.

As I've reflected on our journey, I've become drawn to the significance of the number seven—how in many traditions, seven represents a cycle of completion. The past seven years have been a complete experience for me and our entire staff. Being trusted by school leaders and teachers across Philadelphia has been invigorating, humbling, challenging, and deeply rewarding both personally and professionally.

To every staff member, volunteer, donor, and supporter who believed in our vision—thank you. Your passion and dedication have been the very heart of this organization. Though our doors may close, the spirit of our work and the outcomes of our collective efforts will endure in the classrooms, schools, and lives we've touched together.

With deepest appreciation and boundless hope for the future.