NSRF co-director Gene Thompson-Grove opened our Winter Meeting this morning in Cambridge with a talk called "A Call to Action." As someone who has been involved with CFGs since the very first coaches seminar in 1995, she could offer insights about the history of CFGs and their importance in the big tapestry of school reform. One great quote was that being critical friends "means that I am as committed to –and responsible for--your practice and your students as I am to mine."

I also appreciated the examples of what CFG is not: CFGs are not just book groups, not just study groups, and certainly not just some new way to hold a workshop. CFGs are something more--groups developed to create and sustain professional learning communities. Of course, I already know that, but I need to keep that in mind as I plan and develop professional development for Houston area coaches. How can I really concentrate on developing the skills needed to create and sustain professional learning communities?