Six Core Principles of a Professional Learning Community a culture of collaboration shared mission, vision and values collective inquiry into best practice action orientation continuous improvement a focus on results (DuFour & Eaker, 1998)

Creating a Mission Do we have a collective commitment to our Mission, Vision, and Values? Are our Mission, Vision and Values statements clear? Does our learning community know and understand our Mission, Vision and Values?

Building the Foundation of a Professional Learning Community Mission & Vision The most important question in any organization has to be “What is the business of our business?” Answering this question is the first step in setting priorities. - Judith Bardwick, The Leader of the Future

The Big Picture CLARIFIES PRIORITIES SHARPENS FOCUS FUNDAMENTAL PURPOSE WHY? MISSION GIVES DIRECTIONS COMPELLING FUTURE WHAT? VISION GUIDES BEHAVIOR COLLECTIVE COMMITMENTS HOW? VALUES ESTABLISHES TARGETS & TIMETABLES WHAT STEPS WHEN? GOALS

The First Building Block Mission/Purpose Why do we exist? What are we here to do together? What is the business of our business?

Mission Statements “The mission of Stevenson High School is to provide a positive learning environment which will allow students in our school community the opportunity to achieve their greatest potential as responsible contributing members of a changing society”.  

Mission Statements “It is the mission of our school to help each and every child realize his or her full potential and become a responsible and productive citizen and life-long learner who is able to use technology effectively and appreciate the multi-cultural society in which we live as we prepare for the challenges of the twenty-first century”. - Richard DuFour Professional Learning Communities at Work (1998)

Mission Statements “The mission of Pontiac High School is to ensure that everyone achieves individual excellence”.

Mission Statements 'To be an outstanding community for Teaching and Learning, at the forefront of innovation, ensuring all exceed their expectations.' Mission Statement January 1998 Ravens Wood School

Smurals Professional Learning Community To improve student achievement and to enhance staff development within a professional learning community Smurals Professional Learning Community

Vision There is no more powerful engine driving an organization toward excellence and long-range success than an attractive, worthwhile, and achievable vision of the future, widely shared. - Burt Namus, Visionary Leardership

What must our school (we) become to accomplish our purpose? GIVES DIRECTIONS COMPELLING FUTURE WHAT? VISION What must our school (we) become to accomplish our purpose?

Smurals PLC Vision common focus: planning & delivery of QEP to develop a community of learners (administrators, teachers and students) common focus: planning & delivery of QEP recentralization of relevant PD job-embedded professional development to share expertise and resources (Admin. & teachers)

HOW? Shared … collective commitments GUIDES BEHAVIOR COLLECTIVE COMMITMENTS HOW? VALUES Shared … collective commitments “How must we behave to create the school that will achieve our purpose?” “How are we going to act?”

Values “ Our Guiding Principles” Smurals PLC Participation of administrators (keep the pieces together) Encourage professional growth Foster open communication & consensus Instill a spirit of collective inquiry, collaboration & reflective practice Optional attendance, committed participation Evolve and adapt over time Cultivate ownership & develop shared leadership Key core leadership- Fullan- in order to keep PLC functioning

“How will we know if all of this is making a difference?” ESTABLISHES PRIORITIES TARGETS & TIMETABLES WHAT STEPS WHEN? GOALS “How will we know if all of this is making a difference?”

Goals What actual changes & learning will take place? Smurals PLC Teacher continuity Teachers visiting teachers (support network) Produce, share and teach cross-cycle units Reduce isolation - build relationships & teamwork Shared leadership Engage expertise & identify and build a strengths inventory Increase craft knowledge Administration team network

The Big Picture CLARIFIES PRIORITIES SHARPENS FOCUS FUNDAMENTAL PURPOSE WHY? MISSION GIVES DIRECTIONS COMPELLING FUTURE WHAT? VISION GUIDES BEHAVIOR COLLECTIVE COMMITMENTS HOW? VALUES ESTABLISHES TARGETS & TIMETABLES WHAT STEPS WHEN? GOALS

This presentation has been adapted from the book Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work (2006) by Richard DuFour, Rebecca DuFour, Robert Eaker, Thomas Many