MICHELE ALLEN

Professional Learning Plan

S T. T H O M A S M O R E C A T H O L I C S C H O O L
2014-2015

FAITH
COMPONENT

My Faith growth plan for the 2014-2015

school year will be:
1. To fill out the reflection portions for each
month in the Living Discipleship Booklet
2. To attend Mass on a weekly basis
3. To make one commitment to better serve
my community.
4. To make one commitment to better serve
my church.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

How can Teacher Collaboration allow me to engage every teacher

and drive learning forward?

WHY DID I CHOOSE TEACHER COLLABORATION?

Collaboration can come in the form of professional learning communities outside of the classroom, as well as,
teachers collaborating within the classroom. I believe that both teachers, students and schools can benefit in
a variety of ways when teachers work together.
This choice relates to the teaching quality standards 3(d) Teachers know there are many approaches to
teaching and learning, as well as, 3(k) Teachers are career-long learners.

https://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/10-ways-for-teachers-to-collaborate/

WHAT DOES CURRENT RESEARCH SAY ABOUT COLLABORATION?

Collaboration is an inclusive teaching/learning method where two or more teachers work together and
learning takes place. Richard DuFour (2004) characterizes Teacher Collaboration, through professional
learning communities, as groups of educators who work together to analyze and improve their classroom
practice engage in an ongoing cycle of questions that promoted deep team learning (p. 9).
According to the International Summit on the Teaching Profession, Schools for 21st Century Learners:
(Andreas Schleicher);
Collaboration among teachers builds both interpersonal relationships, self-efficiency and job satisfaction.
They also state that even minimal amounts of five times a year has a positive effect. (pgs. 53,56 & 73)
I have chosen Teacher Collaboration as my essential question since it is frequently stated as one of the key
components in school improvement. An investigation of teacher collaboration for school improvement was
conducted by Yvonne L. Goddard, Roger D. Goddard and Megan Tschannen-Moran 2007 The results
indicated that fourth-grade students have higher achievement in mathematics and reading when they
attend schools characterized by higher levels of teacher collaboration.
I followed a blog about School based collaboration:
https://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/10-ways-for-teachers-to-collaborate/

WHAT IMPACT WILL TEACHER COLLABORATION HAVE ON TEACHER

LEARNING?

I believe that teacher collaboration will impact teaching styles and strategies within the classroom. Teachers will have an
opportunity to discuss and share a verity of teaching strategies. This can be helpful for those who have questions or
information to share. Teacher collaboration with multiple grades with benefit two fold. Both students and teachers can
achieve more through group work. I always feel that one will rise to the top if given the opportunity to do so. Discussion
brings forth ideas, experimentation and positive change.

WHATS THE PLAN?

I will ask each staff member to find one way which they will collaborate with other staff/classes, this school-year. Each staff
member will receive a list of questions to answer honestly and openly. I will have the staff members submit their findings to
me by May 1, 2015.
This is a copy of the letter:
Dear Fellow Colleagues;
I would like you to reflect on a collaborative activity you have participated in. It may be; collaboration with
staff, for school based staff activities and/or collaboration with staff, for student based learning activities.
Answer the following questions regarding the collaboration you have taken part in:
How did you collaborate? (Subject or activity)
What did you learn, positive and/or negative feedback?
What benefits did you gain through collaboration, if any?
What insight could you offer on collaborative learning from your experience?
Please email your responses, to these important questions, to micheleallen@gpcsd.ca. I would appreciate
all responses in no later than May 1, 2015.
Thank-you for your support as life-long learners,
Michele Allen

WHATS THE TIMELINE?

By October 27th until March 23rd staff will gather in small groups, of their choice, to work on their PLP.
Each PD day I will watch groups and check for collaboration.
By Feb.23rd I will distribute a questionnaire to each staff member asking how they have collaborated, (found on slide 8).
May 1st have questionnaire returned with feedback from the staff.
May 25th share findings with colleagues.

GUIDELINE PAGE FOR

WHATS THE TIMELINE? SLIDE

Date

What am I doing on.?

What do I need to do before the next PD

Day?

SEPT 22

Choose my Essential Question/Choose my working group

Begin some of my research

OCT 15

Submit to Admin (for approval and conversation)

OCT 27

Begin work and research

NOV 24
FEB 13
FEB 23
MAR 23
MAY 25

Share MY completed PLT with your working group

HOW I HAVE COLLABORATED THIS YEAR

THIS SHOULD BE A SERIES OF PAGES WITH AN EXPLANATION AND REFLECTION ON EACH PIECE OF
EVIDENCE.
YOUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TEMPLATE MUST INCLUDE THIS TYPE OF EVIDENCE:
- SAMPLES OF STUDENT WORK AND PICTURES OF YOUR WORKING CLASSROOM
- SHORT VIDEOS OF STUDENTS IN YOUR CLASS, ENGAGED IN THE ACTIVITIES YOU DESIGNED
- PEER FEEDBACK ON:
A) YOUR ESSENTIAL QUESTION
B) ACTIVITIES AND ASSESSMENTS YOU DESIGNED

YOUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TEMPLATE CAN INCLUDE ANYTHING THAT YOU DEEM RELEVANT TO
ANSWERING YOUR ESSENTIAL QUESTION (FEEL FREE TO BE CREATIVE!).

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HOW HAVE ST. THOMAS MORE

TEACHERS COLLABORATED?
Blessing and Dedication for the Learning Commons
Janet Stewart and I discussed having a dedication and blessing of the Learning Commons. When we
heard that Archbishop Petitpa was
going to be visiting our school, we felt this would be the perfect time.
1.

Janet and I met and discussed our vision.

2.

I spoke to His Grace Archbishop Petitpa and asked if he would do a blessing for our new
Learning Commons

3.

I spoke to Alice Chelich (first Teacher to teach at S.T.M.), about speaking about Fr. Kindervater,
(the Principal and man we were dedicating the Learning Commons to).

3. Janet purchased a dedication plaque and invited relatives of the late Fr. Kindervater
4. I invited dignitaries:
His Grace, Archbishop Pettipas, Fr. Nel, Superintendent Karl Germann, Deputy Superintendents Greg
Miller and Jessie Shirley, Trustee
Jody Fingerhut. We were also joined by our financial supporters; Dora & Ed Lueken from the Lions
Club, Tina McCormick from the
Friends of STM School Foundation and Morgan Luken, from the STM Students Union.
5. Janet organized and made the program
6. Teachers prepared their students for the special day
7. George and Janet Stewart

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FINAL THOUGHTS

DID MY ACTIONS HAVE AN IMPACT ON STUDENT LEARNING?

HOW DO I KNOW? (PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF THIS).
WHAT WOULD I CHANGE IF I WERE TO DO THIS AGAIN?

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MY FAITH GROWTH FOR THE 2014-2015

SCHOOL YEAR
.

PLAN
1.

TO FILL OUT THE REFLECTION

PORTION, FOR EACH MONTH, IN
THE LIVING DISCIPLESHIP
BOOKLET

2.

TO ATTEND MASS ON A
WEEKLY BASIS

3.

TO MAKE ONE COMMITMENT

TO BETTER

ACTION
1.

Each month I filled out the reflection

booklet. At first I found it a simple task
and put only a small amount of thought and
reflection. As time went on I looked forward
to this part of our PD day. I felt it gave me
an opportunity to soul search. With such a
busy life one rarely finds time to examine
our own life. I plan to continue my faith
reflection, through journaling , after our
final PD day.

2.

I find it difficult to attend Mass each week,

due to the traveling I do, (between Fairview
and Calgary). I have improved my
attendance and now my Husband attends as
well. I have even convinced my daughter to
bring our granddaughter when she is able.

3.

I have found several ways to better serve

my community. I try to do one activity per
month. I have done the following: BINGO at
the Harvest Lodge, Habitat For Humanity,
judge for 4-H speak-ofs, helping a
neighbour I will continue these activities,
they give me pleasure and purpose.

4.

I am still struggling to start the Childrens

Liturgy program at church. Perhaps I will
have to reassess and find another way to
better serve my church.

SERVE MY COMMUNITY.
4.

TO MAKE ONE COMMITMENT

TO BETTER
SERVE MY CHURCH

REFERENCES

1. Professional Learning Communities and Their Prospect For Reform: Pg. 9, Richard DuFour (2004)
2. A Theoretical and Empirical Investigation of Teacher Collaboration for School Improvement and Student
Achievement in Public Elementary Schools: Yvonne L. Goddard, Roger D. Goddard and Megan TschannenMoran 2007 Teachers College Record

3.What Great Principals Do Differently: Todd Whitaker

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ANYTHING
EXTRA THAT I
WANT MY
PRINCIPAL TO
KNOW..
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO INCLUDE THIS PAGE
IT IS OPTIONAL.

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