How to Support Professional Learning Communities

1. How to Support Professional Learning Communities Presented by Dr. Andrew Koenigs & Andover Public Schools Academic Coaches

2. Welcome Introductions Dr. Andrew Koenigs, Assoc. Superintendent Amanda Chipas, High School Academic Coach Lori Gunzelman, Middle School Academic Coach Vickie Olsen, Elementary Academic Coach Kim Hett, Elementary Academic Coach

3. Our Task Supporting PLCs in USD 385 through PD, ACs, and BOE, while using data from NWEA, KSDE, and CETE, all tying to SIPs and SOE. Presented to KASB! LET�S GET STARTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ASAP

4. What do PLCs look like? Outside Education Doctors Engineering Construction �even NASA

5. What do PLCs look like? In education: Professional learning communities (PLC) groups are self-directed, learning teams that work together to improve teachers� knowledge and skills while focusing on student learning and achievement. Can be grouped by grade level, by subject area or by interest of topic.Can be grouped by grade level, by subject area or by interest of topic.

6. Why do we have PLCs? Research about teacher learning supports the idea that teachers learn best from their own practice and discussions with other teachers about such practices. Andragogy (how adults learn) adults are motivated to learn based on experience and personal interests learning is life centered - therefore, adult experiences are the richest form of learning adults have a deep need to be responsible and to direct their own learning adults react positively to just-in-time training

7. How do we support PLCs? Andover History Training Initial Training: Elementary Grade Level Leaders, Secondary Department Heads, and Administrators. Follow-up Training Side by Side Support Andover History-Up to 6years ago PLCs were more building directed. Teachers were put into groups and given a topic or book to study. Then a more district wide initiative began, but still was up to the building to decide when and what. No training was provided to administrators or group leaders. PLCs were not as productive as they could have been. In Winter 2008, after much discussion about what was working in PLCs and what was not. We developed a series of trainings for� Discuss things we did in the training including: 4 essential questions PLCs should discuss Norms Level of group connectiveness Data driven dialogueAndover History-Up to 6years ago PLCs were more building directed. Teachers were put into groups and given a topic or book to study. Then a more district wide initiative began, but still was up to the building to decide when and what. No training was provided to administrators or group leaders. PLCs were not as productive as they could have been. In Winter 2008, after much discussion about what was working in PLCs and what was not. We developed a series of trainings for� Discuss things we did in the training including: 4 essential questions PLCs should discuss Norms Level of group connectiveness Data driven dialogue

8. How do we support PLCs? Resources Books & Articles Lesson Plans Data Time Time: Creative Scheduling through team assemblies where teachers meet and Principal covers students Morning activities Teachers meet outside contract time(lunch or after school) Middle School is built into their daily schedule Time: Creative Scheduling through team assemblies where teachers meet and Principal covers students Morning activities Teachers meet outside contract time(lunch or after school) Middle School is built into their daily schedule

9. In Closing�