Professional Learning Communities - 2747 Words

Introduction Schools are constantly looking for ways in which to improve. Research has revealed several attributes of a school that proves to lead towards student learning and higher achievement including strong leadership, clear and shared mission, vision, values, and goals, collective inquiry, action oriented, collaborative teams that work interdependently, a focus on student learning and results oriented. These ideas are represented within a Professional Learning Community (PLC). To become a PLC, a staff must make changes in their actions and work together focusing on student learning. PLC’s have evolved out of failed school reform measures. It attempts to make permanent changes to a school’s culture to affect change in student†¦show more content†¦Safe environments are built and there’s a respect for diversity. Another highly important factor in effective schools is a highly effective leader. Leadership is a key characteristic in a PLC also. The principal acts as an instructional leader building relationships with the staff and developing high moral. These characteristics are all evident in a PLC. â€Å"When schools truly begin to align their practices with a commitment to learning for all, the educators within them begin to function as a Professional Learning Community† (DuFour, DuFour Eaker, 2008, p. 21). The PLC is more of an re-culturing instead of a school reform. It is an ongoing process through which a staff works collaboratively to share learning goals. In order to reach the goals set forth in laws such as NCLB, a school must change it’s culture to maintain an ongoing collaborative process to enhance everyone’s effectiveness to improve student behavior ( Nygard, 2010). Four Essential Questions The first role in building a successful learning community is to formulate a solid base of shared mission, vision, values, and goals. These four are the building blocks of a solid foundation for decision making for school improvement. Mission or purpose is the first block and focuses on the question â€Å"Why do we exist?† The second block is vision or the direction the school is headed. It asks the question â€Å"What kind of school or district do we hope to become?† A values block asks â€Å"HowShow MoreRelated Professional Learning Communities Essay2717 Words   |  11 Pagesisolated confinements of each teacher’s classroom with some periodic whole-group professional development (Goddard Goddard, 2007). Within the past few decades, many schools and districts, including ours, have considered and experimented with Professional Learning Communities (PLC) as an alternative framework in guiding a more efficient development program for their teachers. PLCs are focused on enhancing student learning through developing teacher practices. The concept of PLC relies on using structuredRead MoreProfessional Learning Communities : The Mentor812 Words   |  4 PagesProfessional Learning Communities: The Mentor The mind of education has changed in the last few years to get away from teachers working alone in isolation to a new idea of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). In contrast to the traditional paradigm of professional development in which teachers attend off-site workshops and conferences that may or may not inspire them to change their thinking or instruction, the Professional Learning Community (PLC) involves teachers in site-based, ongoing,Read MoreProfessional Learning Communities : A Teacher s Perspective1013 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"McLaughlin and Talbert (2006) defined professional learning communities as â€Å"[organizational structures in which] teachers work collaboratively to reflect on their practice, examine evidence about the relationship between practice and student outcomes, and make changes that improve teaching and learning for the particular students in their classes† (pp. 3–4).† (Teague, 2012, pg. 58) This quote explains what I person ally think of professional learning communities should be and what areas they shouldRead MoreA Study on Professional Learning Communities737 Words   |  3 PagesProfessional Learning Communities Abstract PLC means professional learning communities which are set up by teachers in order to help the students who seem to be lagging behind the others academically. This is a way to reach out to the students on a more personal level, where they get to interact not only with the books, but also with the teachers who are able to guide them by recognizing their strengths and their weaknesses. This form of assistance goes a long way in assisting the student developRead MoreWhat Is a Professional Learning Community1145 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is a Professional Learning Community? NaKishia D. Glenn Gardner-Webb University Abstract Throughout this paper you will be able to gain more knowledge on what a Professional Learning Community (PLC) is. I will explore two different areas: general characteristics of PLCs and the big ideas that are associated with them. I will refer to different types of students throughout this paper. When I mention high achievers I will be referring to those are students whose test scores put them in theRead MoreTeaching And Professional Learning Communities882 Words   |  4 PagesFurthermore, our class on Professional Learning Communities (PLC) also had a great impact on me as an instructional coach. One of my responsibilities each week is to lead teachers in PLC. As stated previously, last year was my first year in this new role. My partner left the district very late in the summer and we were unable to find a replacement so I was doing the job of two people. I wasn’t sure how PLC was supposed to be structured and I didn’t have anyone to lean on for support, so I di dRead MoreProfessional Learning Communities Of Educators4217 Words   |  17 Pages Optimising professional learning communities in education for the creation, dissemination and transfer of innovative pedagogies. The aim of the research is to provide recommendations to teacher educators on the most effective ways to facilitate the development and dissemination of innovative educational practice through professional learning communities of educators. The objectives of the study are to: †¢ Evidence the development, dissemination and transfer of innovative educational practiceRead MoreHigh School And Community Professionalism1335 Words   |  6 PagesHigh School on March 23, 2017. My main focus will be on the school and community professional branch of West Chester University’s Conceptual Framework. My idea of ‘school and community professionalism’ has changed drastically since starting observations at Kennett High School. Initially, my thoughts on professionalism considered one side of the educational equation: teachers. It was my belief that teachers uphold the professional standards of the school; which is partially true. Teachers are responsibleRead MoreCollaborative And Collegial Practices Focused On Improving Instructional Practice And Student Learning1328 Words   |  6 PagesInstructional Practice and Student Learning According to Danielson (2011), criterion 8 of the Danielson framework is part of the TPEP (Teacher/Principal Evaluation Pilot) structure that focuses on the professional practices and how teachers participate collaboratively in the educational community to improve instruction, and ultimately student growth. It is an important focus because it promotes student learning, showing that teachers must work with their colleagues to share learning techniques, arrange collectiveRead MoreSupervisory Platform and Evaluation System694 Words   |  3 PagesIn any school, student learning is the ultimate goal and the focus of an effective learning community. In today’s society, the education system is called upon to teach all students at high levels. It has been established through significant research that teachers have a high impact on student learning, according to the RAND Corporation, â€Å"research suggests that, among school-related factors, teachers matter most. When it comes to s tudent performance on reading and math tests, a teacher is estimated