Q4 PLC work improves teaching practices, provides strategies, encourages problem solving and critical thinking as well as professional growth. As teachers learn, students benefit from new practices, purposeful planning and effective adaptations. #saskedchat
In reply to
@kellywchris, @tgrantt, @nikulak, @jadeballek, @cbaudu, @mrchadklein, @JamesAlanOLOO, @CodinJimmysk, @vicmo7, @bircherd, @raegynfulmek, @MsMapleBaxter, @kfidelack
A1: Ultimately, a PLC is a group of Ts coming together to explore and share ideas about a common learning goal. Going into each other’s classrooms, studying some professional lit...overall, having TIME to deepen understanding and confidence with a craft #saskedchat
A1. St. focused, meaningful data driven conversations discussing Ss as our kids and not your kids/my kids. Conversations & data review that allow us to discuss what is or isn’t working and what we can do differently as a team.......How can we learn from each other. #saskedchat
A1: My vision of a PLC is a group of educators that are passionate about a specific topic and ready to implement shared ideas in their classrooms. #saskedchat
A2: The characteristics of a successful PLC include everyone having the opportunity to share and a place individuals look forward to meeting. #saskedchat
A2 a culture of trust where people can be vulnerable and risk taking and open and honest. Because it can be hard work just getting alignment! #saskedchat
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This is something our division is exploring. Ts will do better work when they are interested and motivated to do the work. Putting Ts in mandatory PLCs just to cover that base isn't best practice. #saskedchat
Late! Ferrah from Regina. I am the principal of a great K-12 school. Fave winter activity is lounging at various @FairmontHotels in the mountains! #saskedchat
A2: all voices valued and members feel safe to share and take risks with ideas generated. Emphasis on reflecting to support one another. No one is the expert #saskedchat
A2. Working as a team towards a common goal. Discussions based on our work towards a goal and relatable questions. Some sort of review of data or collected info that we can help in our decision making processes. Team approach. Targeted, meaningful discussions. #saskedchat
Chad from the Burn-20yrs in; haven’t started countdown yet A2: A good PLN has ppl willing to share, listen, be willing to grow& sometimes be wrong #saskedchat
A3: The PLC I am involved in is opening a lot of opportunities for us to strive for best practices in our division. Grateful to be promoting the TRC in @secpsd#saskedchat
A3: PLCs are essential to push us to keep putting ourselves in the role & mindset of a learner. Helps us stay current with latest best practices. #saskedchat
A3 a good time to chat pedagogy, identify an area to focus some attention on, design an intervention and see what happens.....hmmm kinda like inquiry....! #saskedchat
A3 PLC’s are important so you aren’t alone. Just like our #saskedchat PLN, they provide a chance for reflection, learning new strategies, pushing your limits and working with new people.
A3: To constantly evolve and improve in order to ensure best practice that supports our diverse learners' needs. To support the idea that teachers are always learning and growing professionally. To prevent stagnation. #saskedchat
A1: My vision of PLC work is teachers working together on an area of interest & value where the goal is shared by all, strengthening practice & creating results. #saskedchat
Ah - glad you spotted that! PLCs are truly effective when we collaborate - give all a voice and aren't afraid to question ideas and make suggestions - it's about the best ideas going forward not who suggested the ideas. #saskedchat
Totally agree! Data is just one way to help in moving things forward but there are many different types of 'data' and it's also important to question what a 'data set' is showing AND not showing. #saskedchat
A4: Ss learning is impacted when they see their teacher being a lifelong learner and trying out ideas and lessons in an effort to stay relevant. You get what you model! #saskedchat
I find learning is energizing. It’s like exercise in my opinion; it seems like it’s going to take energy you don’t have to complete it but you end up feeling refreshed and happy once you get into it. #saskedchat
A3. Teaching can be lonely, and a PLC makes you feel you're not toiling alone. It's also an effective way of getting a group on the same page with a specific piece of knowledge or practice. #saskedchat
A4 - working together helps us to not only share ideas and support one another but to also helps us to question what we are doing and focus on supporting student learning and growth. It should involve us asking "Is this the best way to go?" #saskedchat
I couldn’t agree more. As a Learning Support Teacher this can be a frustrating piece of the PLC puzzle for me. Data can be so helpful and yet also so misleading if you’re not thoughtful. #saskedchat
A4. Because PLCs build on collaboration and team work, they are beneficial to building a positive school culture where learning and trying to be better is valued. Students are undoubtedly affected. #saskedchat
A5: You can be collegial, but isolated. Collaboration involves physically working together! I believe someone already pointed out this fact. #saskedchat
They set their own meeting times when it works for them. Used to have scheduled times but flexibility works for us. Can meet more often or less dependent on actions. #saskedchat
Anther busy #saskedchat - I just got a "Show More" sign which means I'm now about 5 minutes behind in my scrolling and may have missed saying welcome to someone! #saskedchat
A5: FEEDBACK makes the difference. Not there to pat each other’s backs (although, by nature, we do this to some extent) the collaboration is about supporting each other’s growth and pushing ourselves. #saskedchat
This is from Richard DuFour a while ago but captures the essence of What is a Professional Learning Community? https://t.co/Gw2NWMbEDe¢.aspx #saskedchat
A5. Collegiality is polite. Collaboration is honest. Collaboration involves moving forward on learning that might be hard for the individuals or the group. #saskedchat
A5: because one has to be able to be challenged & be willing to grow; collegiality to me means be nice and no ruffling feathers -smoke&wave #saskedchat
Totally agree - we need to be able to be honest about what we are doing and be willing to seek out opportunities to get feedback from others, reflect upon it, make changes and seek more feedback. #saskedchat
A6. Just as we utilize each other’s strengths to support the group in PLC’s, we need to utilize the strengths within our community to support our goals and growth as well! #saskedchat
A6 communicating out is always complex. Translating “teacher talk” - especially when making changes - ie from report cards to eportfolios - is important #saskedchat
#saskedchat is getting ready for the upcoming year and we need your help! Please take a moment to offer a few suggestions for upcoming chats. It helps us to meet your needs as educators. https://t.co/llmmD3ZgNI
We had our SCC join our PLC planning meetings and see what we were doing in the school. It really helped them to be able to explain what we were doing and what we were working towards. #saskedchat
Same in our school. I think there’s value in asking the SCC members how they can and how they’re willing to support our work. Maybe they can be a resource themselves based on their experiences, their training, etc. #saskedchat
A6: If there’s a connection to an information need/insight from another expert then inviting community adds to learning growth. I’ve done this w/@ItweetMatrix Jonas Fenn for hands-on science #saskedchat#reallifesciencerocks
A8: Give Ts time to discuss their interests and passions in order to form like-minded PLC groups. Review PLC work periodically to ensure it is still relevant and successful; offer feedback and suggestions for future directions. #saskedchat
Q8. I think @FNGraham has already mentioned several great ways to have authentic PLCs: teacher choice of focus, flexible time, try not to mandate. #saskedchat
A8. @FNGraham provides the snacks! But seriously, provide choice and flexibility. It works when we do it for students, it will help motivate and engage adults too! #saskedchat
One concept our staff recently explored was PLC "Sprints." These are short-term PLCs that focus on a very specific target to improve student learning. This format has seen success because it is quick and to-the-point, rather than dragging out a PLC all year long #saskedchat
PLC Sprints also offer a chance to change things up if one concept is tackled and new interests emerge. Allows PLC process to be "Evergreen." #saskedchat
In our division every school has a designated LF: learning facilitator who gets time to support the adult learners a period or more a day. They can cover classes so Ts can do visits and support each other. They can give direct support themselves. LFs get very creative #saskedchat
We have this built into our flexible model too. Recently a tech focused group met their goal, disbanded, & members formed or joined new PLCs. #saskedchat
Great idea! We have something similar though I don’t remember their latest title/acronym. They work w staff to try new resources, co-plan, model new strategies, etc.#saskedchat
