As part of a continuing commitment to the professional growth of IST teachers, we are developing plans for Professional Learning Communities. Dr. Rick DuFour defines a professional learning community (PLC) as “a group of people working interdependently toward the same goal.” With this definition in mind, you will be seeing information coming starting in mid-September through k12training.com and your Content Manager regarding PLCs. PLCs should be up and running by the middle of October, and will run through May 2013.
Not all teachers will be in a PLC, and some teachers are already in an unofficial one. First, only full-time IST teachers will be asked to belong to a PLC. Part-time teachers and contractors may opt-in to a PLC but they will not be compensated for their participation.
Since our time as teachers is very valuable, your time commitment to your PLC will be based on your group’s needs. PLCs will be required to meet at least three times per school year for at least 30 minutes. Your group may decide to meet more, or send emails to keep up with each other. A designated person from the group will blog about each meeting on EduLink, and another designated person will report attendance to Christina Moreno for creating participation certificates in k12training.
If you are already working with a group of teachers on a project for this year, that can be your PLC. Just email Christina Moreno and let her know what your PLC is about, and a group can be created around your area of interest. There will be content-based groups, as well as interest-based groups. If you have an idea for a PLC that you would like to be in, let Christina know as well.
Look for more information coming soon through K12training and your CM, and get ready for some great collaboration with your PLC!
Please contact Christina Moreno at [email protected] for more information and any PLC ideas you would like to share.
Reference: Dufour, R. (March 2006). Critical priorities in building a professional learning community. Cybercast presentation to the Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association.