Professional Learning Community

Professional Learning Community

Rolling Green Elementary

January, 2012

Rolling Green Elementary

January, 2012

What is a Professional Learning Community?

What is a Professional Learning Community?

Professional Learning Community

Professional Learning Community

… Educators committed to working collaboratively in ongoing processes of collective inquiry and action research to achieve better results for the students they serve.

DuFour, DuFour, Eaker, & Many, 2006

… Educators committed to working collaboratively in ongoing processes of collective inquiry and action research to achieve better results for the students they serve.

DuFour, DuFour, Eaker, & Many, 2006

PLC …PLC …

PLCs operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for students is continuous, job-embedded learning for educators.

PLCs operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for students is continuous, job-embedded learning for educators.

What are the characteristics of Professional Learning Communities?

What are the characteristics of Professional Learning Communities?

Shared mission, vision, values, goals Collaborative Culture focused on learning Collective Inquiry into best practice & current

reality Action Orientation / Experimentation Commitment to Continuous Improvement Results Orientation.

Shared mission, vision, values, goals Collaborative Culture focused on learning Collective Inquiry into best practice & current

reality Action Orientation / Experimentation Commitment to Continuous Improvement Results Orientation.

BIG Ideas of PLCBIG Ideas of PLC

WE accept learning as the fundamental purpose of our school & therefore are willing to examine all practices in light of their impact on learning.

WE accept learning as the fundamental purpose of our school & therefore are willing to examine all practices in light of their impact on learning.

We are committed to working together to achieve our collective purpose. We cultivate a collaborative culture through the development of high-performing teams.

We are committed to working together to achieve our collective purpose. We cultivate a collaborative culture through the development of high-performing teams.

We assess our effectiveness on the basis of results rather than intentions. Individuals, teams, and schools seek relevant data and information and use that information to promote continuous improvement.

We assess our effectiveness on the basis of results rather than intentions. Individuals, teams, and schools seek relevant data and information and use that information to promote continuous improvement.

PLC’s Essential QuestionsPLC’s Essential Questions What should students know and be able to do as a

result of this course?

How will we know that the students are learning?

How do we respond when students do not learn?

How do we respond when students already know?

What should students know and be able to do as a result of this course?

How will we know that the students are learning?

How do we respond when students do not learn?

How do we respond when students already know?

What should teachers do when they meet in learning teams?

What should teachers do when they meet in learning teams?

Focus on the needs of students Analysis of best practices Collaborative problem solving Focus on the PLC essential

questions

Focus on the needs of students Analysis of best practices Collaborative problem solving Focus on the PLC essential

questions

Collaborate on the RIGHT Things

Collaborate on the RIGHT Things Collaborate on the

Right Issues To Impact Child & Adult Learning

Collaborate on the Right Issues To Impact Child & Adult Learning

“Educators create an environment that fosters mutual cooperation, emotional support, and personal growth as they work together to achieve what they cannot accomplish alone.”

DuFour and Eaker (1998), Professional Learning Communities at Work

“Educators create an environment that fosters mutual cooperation, emotional support, and personal growth as they work together to achieve what they cannot accomplish alone.”

DuFour and Eaker (1998), Professional Learning Communities at Work