Professional Learning Communities

By the end of this lesson, every learner will:

Be able to define a PLC.

Be able to identify the benefits of PLCs.

Be able to recall the essential needs of a successful PLC.

What makes a PLC difficult to define is that it is not a prescription, a new program, a model, or an innovation to be implemented. Rather, a PLC is an infrastructure or a way of working together that results in continuous school improvement. (Hord, 1997)

General Definition
Teachers and administrators work and study collaboratively for the purpose of achieving student achievement:
Weekly meetings with same grade faculty. Share insights or problems.

Practice 1
Professional Learning Communities can be defined as:

TRUE
Faculty coming together to share classroom successes and errors, aiding one another in ensuring greater academic success for students.

FALSE

Identify the Benefits

Reduction of isolation Increased commitment to the mission and goals of the school Shared responsibility for student success Greater job satisfaction

Practice 2
Which box shows the benefits of PLCs?

Box Two- B

Box One - A

Essentials

Strong Leadership

Clear Goals

Communication

Structured Support

Practice 3
With your teammate, take a few seconds to come up with a hand motion that best helps you remember the 4 essentials of a successful PLC.

Strong Leadership

Clear Goals

Communication

Structured Support