Assignment 8:

Professional Learning Plan

ReKita Thornhill

University of West Georgia

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This needs assessment report reviews the Media Center at Impact Academy located in Henry
County Georgia.

Description of Impact Academy and Media Center

Impact Academy is a program in Henry County, Georgia. It was established in 2017 with
the mission of providing a personalized, project-based education that prepares students for
success in college, career, and beyond.
The school serves students in grades K-12 and has a diverse student population. It is
known for its innovative approach to education, which focuses on hands-on learning, real-world
applications, and community involvement.
Unfortunately, due to our institution's lack of official school designation, students

enrolled in our program at Impact Academy are unable to access library services at our school.

As a result, these students are enrolled simultaneously in their designated home school and

Impact Academy, allowing them to utilize library facilities at their respective homeschools when

needed. Despite the absence of a designated library, students are provided with access to various

research applications and books through their launchpad, which serves as a school-based

homepage encompassing all county applications.

To complete Part I of this project , I visited two school libraries in Henry County: Eagles

Landing Middle and Stockbridge Middle School. Since Impact Academy has students from

different locations in the county, our students could access these libraries if necessary. Both

libraries had a welcoming atmosphere for students and staff. When you enter, you are greeted by

window displays with a specific theme, and there are hand-painted murals on the walls showing

students engrossed in books. Eagles Landing Middle School has a designated seating area with

sofas and high-top tables, providing a comfortable space for reading and collaborating with

peers. Hampton Middle School did not have the same seating area design, but they did have

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isolated seating areas for students who wanted to relax and study. Both libraries have computer

desktops for student use, located centrally and surrounded by tables for those with laptops.

Additionally, there are hanging signs indicating where different genres of books are located,

making it easy to find desired materials. The library also has crafting areas where students can

work on projects, with a limited number of students allowed at a time to minimize noise. When

students enter, they have to sign in and present a pass, and teachers can reserve the library for

instructional purposes. Librarians are also available to conduct classes upon request, helping

students find primary sources and use Galileo.

Reflection of Resources and Services of Impact Academy

Impact Academy does not have a brick-and-mortar library on campus, but students do
have access to school libraries within the district. However, the library hours for middle school
students are from 8am to 3:30pm, which may pose a challenge for Impact Academy students
who would need to schedule a visit that doesn't conflict with their class time. Additionally, since
the library is not located on campus, students would need to rely on their parents' schedules to
transport them to and from the library, which could be difficult for some families. Despite these
challenges, Impact Academy students are still able to access library resources and services
through alternative means, such as online databases and digital collections.

Review of Need
In light of the absence of a media specialist, the graduation coach at our academy has

identified this as a primary concern that requires attention. Mrs. Retta Smith is responsible for

addressing the academic and personal challenges that students encounter in school and at home.

Given the small size of our school, she also assists them in completing projects and assignments

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when they require instructional support. Mrs. Smith has observed that the lack of a designated

library, similar to those found in colleges, presents a challenge for students who must sift

through websites to determine the veracity of information. Students and parents do not have

access to assistance at Impact Academy, and instead must attend schools that do not collaborate

with their teachers to identify the library or media needs of students. This creates a gap between

Impact Academy and the students homeschool, which could be partially addressed by an online

library system or an in-person library at Impact Academy. This sentiment is shared by Mrs.

Bailey-Knight, a Language Arts teacher, who must use creative methods to assign specific books

to students due to the absence of a library platform. She is compelled to upload PDFs, which

limits students' research abilities, as they expect teachers to provide books and research

materials.

Objectives

Goal 1: Impact Academy will create a needs assessment presentation for the district, highlighting
the importance of a library for the school and proposing potential solutions for implementing a
library program.

Timetable: 6-8 month plan

● Conduct needs assessment survey with school community
● Analyze survey data and identify key areas of need
● Develop a needs assessment presentation for the district
● Present needs assessment presentation to district officials
● Collaborate with district officials to identify potential solutions for implementing a
library program

Goal 2: Objective 1: Develop a comprehensive online library resource plan

● Identify and compile a list of online resources that align with the school's curriculum and
educational goals
● Create a user-friendly platform for students and teachers to access and utilize the online
resources

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 ● Provide training and support for teachers and students to effectively use the online
resources
Timetable:

● Month 1-2: Research and identify online resources, create a database of resources
● Month 3-4: Develop a user-friendly platform for accessing resources, provide training for
teachers
● Month 5-6: Provide support for students and teachers, monitor usage and adjust platform
as needed

Goal 3: Objective 2: Increase student engagement and motivation through gamification

● Develop a gamification plan that incorporates online resources and rewards for students
who engage with the resources
● Create a leaderboard or other visual representation of student progress and achievement
● Provide incentives for students who reach certain milestones or achieve specific goals

Timetable:

Month 1-3: Research and identify online resources that can be gamified, create a plan for
gamification
Month 4-7: Implement gamification plan, create leaderboard and incentives
Month 8-10: Monitor student progress and adjust gamification plan as needed

Timeline

The professional learning plan at Impact Academy is designed to be a comprehensive and

inclusive process that takes into account the needs of all stakeholders. To ensure that everyone

has sufficient time to learn and retain valuable information, the timeline for the plan is ten to

twelve months. This extended timeline allows for a thorough and deliberate approach, ensuring

that all aspects of the plan are properly addressed and that no important details are overlooked.

The presentation for the county is a critical component of the plan, and we have allocated

at least eight months for its development. This will enable us to gather and present all relevant

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information, address the genuine needs of our school, and ensure that the presentation is

comprehensive and effective.

Implementing the virtual library is another crucial aspect of the plan, and it requires

professional learning training for teachers to ensure that they can effectively deliver the program

to students. We will provide thorough training on the platform, its features, and how to integrate

it into their curriculum. Once the teachers have received the necessary training, we will introduce

the virtual library to the students.

Evaluation

The evaluation plan for the virtual library program at Impact Academy includes both

formative and summative evaluation methods to assess the effectiveness of the program and

identify areas for improvement.

Formative evaluation methods include regular surveys with the school community to

gather feedback on the virtual library program, monitoring usage statistics for virtual library

resources and services, and observing teacher and staff usage of virtual library resources and

providing feedback and support as needed. These methods will help to identify any issues or

challenges with the program and allow for adjustments to be made to ensure its success.

Summative evaluation methods include an annual survey with the school community to

assess overall satisfaction with the virtual library program, tracking and analyzing usage

statistics for virtual library resources and services over time, and evaluating the impact of the

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virtual library program on student learning outcomes, such as literacy rates and research skills.

These methods will provide a comprehensive assessment of the program's effectiveness and help

to identify areas for improvement.

By implementing a comprehensive evaluation plan, Impact Academy can ensure that its

virtual library program is meeting the needs of its students and school community, and make any

necessary adjustments to improve its effectiveness.

Responsible Stakeholders

The stakeholders involved in the professional learning plan include the principal, IT personnel,

teachers, and graduation coach. Their active participation and input are essential to ensuring that

the plan is tailored to the specific needs of our school and that it aligns with our overall goals and

objectives. By working together, we can create a cohesive and effective learning environment

that benefits everyone involved.

Reflection

As a teacher at Impact Academy, I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse group

of students and educators who are passionate about learning and making a positive impact in

their community. A school library is a vital part of a student's educational experience, as it

provides them with access to a wide range of books, resources, and learning materials that can

help them develop their reading, research, and critical thinking skills. Unfortunately, many

schools, including Impact Academy, do not have a school library, which can hinder the

educational progress of students.

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 Starting a school library at Impact Academy is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it

would provide students with access to a wide range of books and resources that they may not

have otherwise had access to. This would help to broaden their horizons, expand their

knowledge, and foster a love of reading and learning. Secondly, a school library would provide a

quiet and focused environment for students to study, research, and work on projects, which

would help to improve their academic performance and productivity.

In addition, a school library would also provide a space for students to collaborate, work

in groups, and engage in extracurricular activities. This would help to foster a sense of

community and teamwork, which are essential for success in any field. Furthermore, a school

library would also provide a space for teachers to work with students, provide additional support,

and develop their own professional development.

I strongly believe that Impact Academy should allocate resources to establish a school

library, which would greatly benefit the educational journey of our students. By doing so, we can

ensure that our students receive a personalized education that prepares them for success in all

aspects of their lives.

ELMS Media Specialist: Mr.Fields : elisha.fields@henry.k12.ga.us

Impact Academy Teacher 1: Mrs. Aleki Bailey-Knight: aleki.baileyknight@henry.k12.ga.us

Impact Academy Graduation Coach: Mrs.Retta Smith Email: retta.smith@henry.k12.ga.us

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