The district provides time for teachers to meet and work in collaborative teams called PLCs to help improve student learning. All students are released 40 minutes early on Wednesdays to provide this time.
Professional Learning Communities allow staff to work in collaborative teams to continually analyze and improve classroom practice to ultimately impact student learning. Teachers meet weekly after school to dialogue about “best practices” and their implications for student learning.
Professional Learning Communities empower teachers to work together to develop curricular outcomes, assess student achievement, select instructional materials, plan special projects, participate in peer observation and coaching, and pursue professional growth opportunities.
Characteristics of a Professional Learning Community:
- Shared mission, vision, values, goals
- Collaborative teams focused on learning
- Collective inquiry into “best practice” and “current reality”
- Action orientation
- Commitment to continuous improvement
- Results orientated
