Although our school staff began its journey toward becoming a Professional Learning Community last year, it wasn't until this year that the formal movement gained real momentum. This circumstance was in large part due to the foresight of our school district administration and school board who supported the creation of a new position within our school district, Academic Coordinator of Teaching and Learning -- Elementary. You may recall that this position was created by eliminating three other popsitions in our school district (elementary level 'Literacy Coaches'). Mrs. Gail Bourn has made enormous contributions to the ongoing improvement of our school (and district) curriculum, instruction, and assessment (C.I.A.) practices, but perhaps no contribution has been greater than in formalizing our school's weekly grade-level Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings. Gail's skill in facilitating these meetings is amazing -- matched only by the tremendous level of commitment, ownership, and engagement in these meetings demonstrated by our school's teaching staff!
Once a week during their preparatory period (while their students are in Art, Music, P.E., etc.) grade level teachers and interventionists meet with Mrs. Bourn and myself to make progress on an initiative selected and agreed upon by the group. There is typically a particular protocol/procedure chosen to give form to our weekly discussions which results in tangible outcomes that help our school 'get to the next level'. At WHS, we are constantly on the move: always reflecting, assessing, researching, adjusting, and implementing.
The keys to effective PLCs are a high degree of teacher collaboration, shared goals, and mutual accountability. Our teachers and interventionists are organized into functional teams that are committed to excellence in practice and in continuous improvement. With their continued collaborative efforts toward mutually held 'SMART' goals, we know that student learning experiences at Woodland Heights will continue to improve.
Thank you, Mrs. Bourn, and thank you teachers, for all that you are doing to help our school assure quality learning experiences and maximize the opportunity for achievement for all of our students. Committing to a focused and vibrant Professional Learning Community system is an enormous step toward that goal. Way to go, Team!!!
For more information on PLCs, check out this website at your convenience.
