80 likes | 235 Views
Learning Labs in the Middle School. A Role to Support Your School’s Professional Development Facilitator…. What is a Learning Lab Teacher (LLT)?. A learning lab teacher is a teacher already in your school that will stay in their current teaching role.
E N D
Learning Labs in the Middle School A Role to Support Your School’s Professional Development Facilitator…
What is a Learning Lab Teacher (LLT)? • A learning lab teacher is a teacher already in your school that will stay in their current teaching role. • They should be recognized and chosen as a ‘teacher leader’ and an educator that demonstrates best practice, differentiation strategies, and expertise in content and instruction. • This teacher and their classroom will serve as a Learning Lab, supporting the efforts of the Professional Development Facilitator in your building. • The LLT will work in conjunction with the PDF to ensure teachers in your building can see school and district initiatives (professional development) modeled at an expert level. This will ultimately serve as a school-site model for observing professional development strategies ‘in action’.
As mentioned, the LLT will support your building PDF and their work. • The PDF will set up teacher visits to the LLT for teachers to observe specific, pre-determined strategies or instructional techniques. • Teachers that observe instruction in the learning lab will then debrief with the PDF and set personal goals for further follow-up, as shown in the previous chart.
Benefits of Learning Labs… • The Learning Lab model allows schools to adopt a peer assistance and reflection model towards improving teacher instruction and retention, through using effective strategies for developing human capital. • Using this model, teacher leaders (LLTs) mentor and provide assistance to their peers, while PDFs provide further resources and coaching feedback for growth opportunities. ***Learning Labs align to SP2018, Goals 1, 2, & 5…
What else do I need to know about the LLT role? The expectation is that each middle school will have at least 1 LLT, but could have more based on need and principal decision (i.e.: 2 LLTs, one with a math focus & one with a literacy focus). Each middle school with an LLT will be allotted $500, regardless of number of learning labs (multiple LLTs at one school will still only be allotted a flat rate of $500). The allotted money can be used in any way the principal sees fit for supporting the Learning Lab Teacher role (PD for the LLT, resource purchases, technology, substitute days for training, etc.). Each LLT will be invited to some of our district PDF meetings this year. Substitutes will be funded through the Office of Organizational Development (TPD).
*Choose someone who:- has a good working relationship with the PDF, since there will be close collaboration -models best practice -is viewed as a teacher leader by peers -contributes to the success of others -is an instructional expert -participates in continuous learning -establishes collegial relationships -demonstrates differentiation strategies -models use of instructional technology -reaches ‘accomplished’ or ‘distinguished’ on evaluations What to consider when choosing an LLT for your school: Roles of an ‘LLT’
Additional information… • PDFs will be provided with information on the new Learning Lab roles at our first meeting of the school year (August 20th). • Principals are responsible for choosing the Learning Lab Teachers within their school (with desired input from the PDF or any other administration within the school). Have additional questions? • Contact Lisa Brizendine at: • lisa.lemaster@cms.k12.nc.us • or 980-343-1306 • Office of Organizational Development