About PTLC
A growing community of educators learning, designing, and building better classrooms together.
Pittsburgh Teaching & Learning Collaborative
The Pittsburgh Teaching & Learning Collaborative connects educators with research-informed learning experiences that strengthen teaching practice, build community, and inspire meaningful learning.
Theory Into Practice
We turn ideas from leading educational research into real classroom experiences.
Learning in Community
We connect educators across schools, districts, and learning environments.
Growth Through Practice
We help educators develop the tools, confidence, and support to design meaningful learning.
Our Impact
Shifting practices across the region
Through our programs, educators across the region are developing new ideas, strengthening their practice, and creating more meaningful learning experiences for students in classrooms, schools, and community learning spaces.
Get Involved
Explore new ideas, connect with educators, and grow your practice.
Discover learning communities, workshops, convenings, and experiences designed to support educators across the region.
Our Mission & Vision
Mission
To deliver free and low-cost, research-based professional development opportunities to educators.
Vision
Supporting educators with accessible, high-quality learning experiences creates the conditions for powerful, equitable classrooms—and better futures for all students.
Core Values
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Equity
We believe that all educators—regardless of their school’s location, size, or funding—deserve access to high-quality professional learning. Equity guides our commitment to overcoming barriers and uplifting the educators serving children. Our programming intentionally prioritizes practices that affirm student agency, foster inclusive pedagogy, and ensure every learner has the opportunity to thrive. -
Accessibility
Professional development should be readily available to all educators. We design our learning opportunities to be financially, geographically, and structurally accessible. We work with all educators and their administrative teams to gain the support necessary for participation, and we are committed to meeting educators where they are and removing obstacles that prevent participation. -
Research-Informed Practice
Our work is grounded in the latest educational research and learning sciences. We translate evidence-based theories into practical tools and strategies that educators can immediately use in their classrooms. By connecting the “why” behind powerful teaching with the “how” of implementation, we help educators deepen their practice with clarity and confidence. -
Educator Agency
We recognize educators as professionals, leaders, and designers of learning. Our programs are co-created with and for teachers, honoring their experience, creativity, and insight. By fostering agency, we empower educators to shape their own professional growth and drive innovation in their schools and communities. -
Community
We are more than a network—we are a learning community. We cultivate trust, collaboration, and shared inquiry among educators from diverse settings. By learning together, sharing challenges, and celebrating successes, we create a collective force for change that supports lasting impact across classrooms and the region.
Our Team
Dr. Jeffrey Evancho — Director
Dr. Jeff Evancho is an educator, nonprofit leader, and learning-design practitioner based in the Pittsburgh region. He serves as Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Teaching and Learning Collaborative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, research-based professional learning for educators.
Jeff’s work sits at the intersection of educator agency, maker-centered learning, and organizational culture. He co-directs Agency by Design Pittsburgh, a regional learning community inspired by ideas that supports educators in designing classrooms where students build agency, curiosity, creativity, persistence, and visible thinking. Through this work, Jeff helps teachers and school leaders create powerful learning experiences that connect research, classroom practice, and community-based partnerships.
Previously, Jeff served in various executive leadership roles in public school central office administration and began his career as a visual arts educator. Across these roles, he has led initiatives in deeper learning, student voice, education innovation, maker education, arts integration, and human-centered school transformation.
Jeff’s leadership is grounded in the belief that schools and learning organizations should be places where young people are known, challenged, supported, and invited to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Dr. Peter Wardrip — Director
Peter Wardrip is an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
His current research and practice work focuses on designing and assessing maker-based learning experiences, educator professional development and educator learning communities.
He is a research and evaluation partner with the Madison Children’s Museum and the Discovery Center Museum. He is also an adjunct researcher for the Scott Family Amazeum.
When he is not working, he enjoys playing euchre with his family and friends, foraging for food in the countryside, drinking hot chocolate and playing soccer.
Our Partners & Collaborators
PTLC collaborates with schools, universities, museums, and educational organizations to create meaningful learning experiences for educators across the region.
Our Supporters
Our work is made possible through the generous support of foundations and organizations that believe in educators and the power of learning communities.
