1. Professional Learning Communities Session 1 Rainier Elementary November 10, 2009

3. A community of learners From myself, I need... From others, I need... From my facilitators I need...

4. Session Overview Part I: Exploration of Purpose and Vision Part II: Essential Conditions Part III: Culture and Climate

5. Today’s Learning Targets Outcomes and Targets Application of “Four Questions” to leadership role Team shared description of how PLCs fit in your improvement efforts Determine prioritized essential conditions Explore impact of culture and climate on PLCs

6. Connecting to Prior Learning Turn to a neighbor and share the “Four Questions” of PLCs.

7. Vision for PLC Clearly articulate how PLC fits within your school improvement plans. What is your purpose for your PLCs? Assessment- Can most staff articulate why you are working as PLCs? Can they describe what you are working toward?

8. Vision for PLC Team Activities (You choose)- Develop a graphic ‘road map’ that describes your PLC’s planned journey. Create a purpose statement to share with staff (Purpose of PLC).

9. Conditions for a Cultural Shift Conditions for PLCs to “grow” need structural and collaborative changes. “Restructuring can facilitate the process and is often a prequisite for moving forward, but merely changing the structures is never sufficient in creating PLCs.” DuFour

10. Apollo 13 What are the conditions in this context? What is the leader doing?

11. Conditions for PLCs Structures Size of the school Proximity of staff to one another Communication systems and avenues Time to meet Space to meet Processes for removing barriers (decision making) A written SIP (Mission, Vision and Goals) that includes a focus on student learning Formal Interdependent teaching roles (grade level meetings) Teaming opportunities Formal Shared Leadership (Leadership Team) Collaboration Respect Trust Norms Continuous Inquiry Positive Socialization (New Staff) Reflective dialogue Openness Joint work Shared purpose

12. What are your conditions? Structural Collaborative SupportWork in Progress Priorities (3) SupportWork in Progress Priorities (3)

13. What specific actions can we expect to see in light of our priorities?

14. Culture and Climate Culture = Personality Climate = Mood

15. Culture in a PLC A disposition toward reflective practice, a willingness to change and a collective culture of high expectations are critical to lasting improvement. What is your culture of your PLC? Assessment- PLC Readiness Survey or Tracking Cultural Shifts in a PLC

16. T-Chart What influences “Personality?” What are the parallels in schools?

17. Changing Personality Exploring Christmas Carol…What does it take to change Scrooge’s Personality? (Or anyone’s for that matter?) What are the parallels for shifting school climate?

18. Homework… Plan for all staff to complete the PLC readiness survey (online). – How will you find the time? – Encourage engagement? – Clarify understanding of critical concepts? We will engage in a data analysis protocol next session.

19. Reflection and next steps What will you share with staff as a result of tonight? How did your team model effective group norms? What follow-up or support do you feel you need?