Joshua Said:

Professional Learning Community?

We Answered:

The term professional learning community describes a collegial group of administrators and school staff who are united in their commitment to student learning. They share a vision, work and learn collaboratively, visit and review other classrooms, and participate in decision making (Hord, 1997b). The benefits to the staff and students include a reduced isolation of teachers, better informed and committed teachers, and academic gains for students.

From http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/c… (There's more info here if you want more details)

Anne Said:

Do you think the newest fad "Professional Learning Communities" is designed to make teachers work harder?

We Answered:

Well, actually... it is designed to get every teacher working at a more similar level.

What is 'typical' now in most schools, is that a handful of teachers are killing themselves improving the educational programs, perhaps leading a department, designing lessons, etc.. and there are many other teachers that show up and teach what others have prepared.. without having input into the strategies used.

If every teacher did as much as they could to improve the instruction in their own classes, but also shared the best practices and curriculum/lessons with other teachers and listened/learned from other teachers, then it could actually reduce the workload for everyone. Combining effort and expertise can help everyone, especially the students.

Claudia Said:

Professional Teaching Portfolio?

We Answered:

I'm only a 2nd year teacher myself, so had to do this a while back.

If you are going to put this together, remember it may be called upon for you to discuss in an interview - that's the idea. Therefore, I would recommend you make sure whatever you put in there are your ideas from your research. Imagine: prospective headteacher asks question related to a dimension above, having looked at your PTP, as you haven't given it optimum thought, you fumble the answer = no job at that school. Just a thought.

To help, there's actually quite a number of papers, books & writings on any of the dimensions, so it comes down to 'googling' again, finding ones that get your attention, getting books from the library, etc, reading what you wish & adapting/forming your own ideas.

To be fair, preparing this & planning for arguments for/against your documentation will help you move up your career.

Good luck, teaching is good fun, enjoy.
oh... & plan!

Glenn Said:

Are there any books on Professional Learning Communities that aren't written by the DuFours and co?

We Answered:

Yes, there are some others - you can find them on Amazon if you search for "professional learning communities". The first results you get are by them, but just a few down there are numerous other authors.

Dave Said:

Educators only. Are you part of a professional learning community?

We Answered:

Oh, yes. In fact now we have two distinct PLCs at my school - one is based on student career preference and the second is based on the subject matter we teach...

I can tell you that for the former (we have learning academies at my school), it was quite difficult to start with, as teachers trying to come together from across the curriculum areas often are very territorial about what they teach and how they teach it. The first year was essentially spent doing group building and trying to figure out how to work together for the benefit of our students. We fought, griped, and then FINALLY were able to figure out that we could accomplish things for our kids. One you get that group built, it is amazing what you are able to do. We are in the 3rd year of our academy PLCs, and last year we pulled together to do some really neat things for the kids. Unfortunately the district has cut our academy time to address the latter district PLC goals, which is rather disappointing, but we are still doing what we can.

I think one of the most important things is to try to do something small and manageable that the PLC can accomplish and give some responsibility to the nay-sayers. No one should be allowed to just sit back and complain. If teachers become invested, then they will be less likely to be negative. That's not to say there won't always be some people who won't always complain - we still have one or two of them, but they are much less vocal now that we all are working together.

Enrique Said:

Are smarks damaging the professional wrestling buisness?

We Answered:

No because wrestling company's don't listen to them, would you? they just complain about EVERYTHING thinking they know best but really they would run a wrestling company into the ground.

Smarks are online critics who complain about everything in wrestling, a Smart Mark is someone that understand wrestling and enjoys it and a mark is any wrestling fan smart or not. That's my understanding of the words anyways.