Professional Learning Communities

Session 1Rainier ElementaryNovember 10, 2009

A community of learners

• From myself, I need . . . • From others, I need . . .

• From my facilitators I need . . .

Session Overview

• Part I: Exploration of Purpose and Vision

• Part II: Essential Conditions

• Part III: Culture and Climate

Today’s Learning Targets

Outcomes and Targets• Application of “Four Questions”

to leadership role• Team shared description of how

PLCs fit in your improvement efforts

• Determine prioritized essential conditions

• Explore impact of culture and climate on PLCs

Connecting to Prior LearningTurn to a neighbor and share the “Four Questions” of PLCs.

Vision for PLC

Clearly articulate how PLC fits within your school improvement plans.

What is your purpose for your PLCs?

Assessment- Can most staff articulate why you are working as PLCs? Can they describe what you are working toward?

Vision for PLC• Team Activities (You choose)-• Develop a graphic ‘road map’ that describes

your PLC’s planned journey.• Create a purpose statement to share with

staff (Purpose of PLC).

Conditions for a Cultural Shift

Conditions for PLCs to “grow” need structural and collaborative changes.

“Restructuring can facilitate the process and is often a prequisite for moving forward, but merely changing the structures is never sufficient in creating PLCs.” DuFour

Apollo 13

• What are the conditions in this context?• What is the leader doing?

Conditions for PLCsStructures

Size of the schoolProximity of staff to one another

Communication systems and avenuesTime to meetSpace to meet

Processes for removing barriers (decision making)

A written SIP (Mission, Vision and Goals) that includes a focus on student learning

Formal Interdependent teaching roles (grade level meetings)Teaming opportunities

Formal Shared Leadership (Leadership Team)

Collaboration

Respect Trust

NormsContinuous Inquiry

Positive Socialization (New Staff)

Reflective dialogueOpennessJoint work

Shared purpose

What are your conditions?Structural Collaborative

Support Work in Progress

Priorities (3)

Support Work in Progress

Priorities (3)

What specific actions can we expect to see in light of our priorities?

Culture and Climate

Culture = Personality

Climate = Mood

Culture in a PLC

A disposition toward reflective practice, a willingness to change and a collective culture of high expectations are critical to lasting improvement.

What is your culture of your PLC?

Assessment- PLC Readiness Survey or Tracking Cultural Shifts in a PLC

T-Chart

What influences “Personality?”

What are the parallels in schools?

Changing Personality

• Exploring Christmas Carol…What does it take to change Scrooge’s Personality? (Or anyone’s for that matter?)

• What are the parallels for shifting school climate?

Homework…

• Plan for all staff to complete the PLC readiness survey (online).– How will you find the time?– Encourage engagement?– Clarify understanding of critical concepts?

• We will engage in a data analysis protocol next session.

Reflection and next steps

• What will you share with staff as a result of tonight?

• How did your team model effective group norms?

• What follow-up or support do you feel you need?