Tracy Unified School District Leadership Institute – “Leading the Transformation” Breakout Session What is a PLC Leader? July/August 2014 Dr. Paul F. Ezen Consultant

Professional Learning Communities

Professional Learning Community (PLC) “…a group of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or passion about a topic, who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis.” — Wenger, McDermott, & Snyder, 2002

Discussion vs. Discourse At your table discuss the difference between these two words. Come to consensus about the difference. Select a person to report out Each table reports to the whole group.

Assumptions of Professional Learning Communities We can make a difference. Our school can be more effective. Improving our people is the key to improving our school. Significant school improvement will impact teaching and learning. —DuFour and Eaker, 1998

PLC Best Practices Professional Learning Community Collaborative culture Shared common vision Results-oriented Action-orientedCollective inquiry Supportive environment

Outcomes of Learning Communities Decreased isolation Shared commitment Collective responsibility Higher morale Benefits for TeachersBenefits for Students Better understanding Smaller achievement gaps Decreased absenteeism Increased academic success

Establishing Learning Communities

Critical Questions for PLCs (The Logic Train) 1.What should students know and be able to do as a result of this course, class, or grade level? 2.How will we know that the students are learning? 3.How do we respond when students do not learn? 4.How do we respond when students learn more?

The Logic Train At your tables discuss and create the logic train for a PLC (created or Real) Go back to the sequence of questions and answer them in order based on the PLC you selected. Prepare to report out from each table.

Building Relationships and Improving Student Performance

Supportive Environments The Leaders Responsibility Successful PLC Time to meet and share Good communication structures Available resources Supportive culture Respect and trust

Provide Support Structures  Time to meet and share  Good communication structures  Available resources  Supportive culture  Respect and trust

Barriers to Supportive Structures What are the Barriers to creating a supportive structure in your building(s)? Discuss at your table. Create a list of the top three Barriers. Report the list to the whole group.

Seven Norms of Collaboration 1.Pausing 2.Paraphrasing 3.Probing 4.Putting Ideas on the Table 5.Paying Attention 6.Presuming Positive Attention 7.Pursuing a Balance

Seven Norms of Collaboration 1.Pausing a.After a question b.After someone speaks c.For personal reflection d.As a collective pause Based on Garmston & Wellman

Seven Norms of Collaboration 2.Paraphrasing a.“You seem to be saying…” b.“In other words…” c.“So you think that…” d.“You’re suggesting that…” Based on Garmston & Wellman

Seven Norms of Collaboration 3.Probing a.“Could you expand upon…” b.“I’m wondering whether…” c.“Please tell us more about…” d.“Do you have an example of…” Based on Garmston & Wellman

Seven Norms of Collaboration 4.Putting Ideas on the Table a.“This might be one way to…” b.“I’m just thinking out loud…” c.“Suppose we tried…” d.“One approach might be…” Based on Garmston & Wellman

Seven Norms of Collaboration 5.Paying Attention a.To how things are said b.To the learning styles of colleagues c.To how others are responding d.To physical cues Based on Garmston & Wellman

Seven Norms of Collaboration 6.Presuming Positive Intentions a.My team wants me to succeed. b.People want to hear my ideas. c.I have something to offer. d.We can work well together. Based on Garmston & Wellman

Seven Norms of Collaboration 7.Pursuing a Balance a.Advocate for your ideas. b.Advocate for others’ ideas. c.Question your own ideas. d.Question others’ ideas. Based on Garmston & Wellman

Observing Discussion 1.Assign one person to be the observer. 2.Conduct a table-group discussion on one of these topics. Including teacher trainees in PLCs Teaching writing in math class Celebrating student success 3.Discuss the observer’s findings.

“ Professional learning communities support a culture of self-improvement through the identification and sharing of best practices of highly effective teachers, mentorship, and peer collaboration.” — The Daggett System for Effective Instruction, p. 124 Last Thoughts

Action Goals for PLC Leaders 1.Benefits of our PLC 2.Discourse vs Discussion 3.Barriers to Structures that Support PLC’s 4.Norms I needs to works on and train people in.