Construction Zone PLC

PresentersBrenda Thompson Barbara Martin

Jamila Steen Dionne Kirby

SESSION NORMS

• Actively Participate

• Engage as Learners

• Tame Technology

What is learned here leaves here!

Session Objectives• Define a Professional Learning Community

• Identify Key Elements and Big Ideas of PLC

• Analyze Roadblocks to Effective PLC Implementation

• Implementation of High-Functioning PLCs on Campus

Compass Points

Compass Points

REFLECTION: Compass Points

What are some implications for understanding personalities when working within a PLC?

Background Knowledge: PLC

• Define PLC• Identify key elements of a PLC• Identify roadblocks to implementing an effective PLC

What is a Professional Learning Community?“We define a professional learning community as educators committed to working collaboratively in on-going processes of collective inquiry and action research to achieve better results for the students they serve. Professional learning communities operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for students is continuous, job-embedded learning for educators.” (DuFour, DuFour, Eaker & Many, 2006).

First Big Idea of PLCs

The fundamental purpose of the school is to ensureall students learn at high levels.

Structures are created to ensure staff membersengage in job-embedded learning as part of theirroutine work practices.

All Focused on Student Learning

Second Big Idea of PLCs

Schools cannot achieve the fundamental purpose oflearning for all if educators work in isolation.

Collaborative cultures must be built so they will workinterdependently and assume collective responsibilityfor the learning of all students.

All Focused on Student Learning

Third Big Idea of PLCs

Educators need to be hungry for evidence that students are acquiring the knowledge, skills, and dispositions identified as most important to their success.

Schools must systematically monitor student learningon an ongoing basis.

All Focused on Student Learning

Willow Grove Kinder PLC

All Focused on Student Learning

ACTIONS!OUTCOMES!WORDS!

Revisiting Professional Learning Communities at Work

Chapter 1

• All read pp. 13-14.

• #1 read pp. 15-17.

• #2 read pp. 18 through 1st paragraph on p. 21 (Stop at past.).

• #3 read 2nd paragraph on p. 21 (The second barrier . . .); stop at end of the Kennedy quote (p. 24).

• #4 begins at last paragraph on p. 24 (There is no easy way . . .); stop at #6 on p. 27.

• #5 begin reading at #6 on p. 27; read to the end of the chapter.

The Instructional Coach as Facilitator of High Functioning PLCs

View the video clip and make notes about the work (what the team does) and about the

culture/climate of the PLC.

The Instructional Coach as Facilitator of High Functioning PLCs

Reflection and Quick Write: Connecting what you already know and new ideas

What are some practices/procedures you will facilitate to support an effective PLC?

Be prepared to share!

A Pep Talkfrom

Kid President to You