Session 3 Home Learning

[morning]

There has been talk about creating a PLC at our school. The reality is that until after FCAT nothing will be done. Because of the lack of support, the total focus on FCAT and the problem of time, we haven't started any real PLCs at our school.

I am encouraged by the desire to have the PLCs here, and about the conversation that is beginning on how to make that happen. I believe that this course is inspiring people to make the effort to make it happen.

[ArmyBrat]

Our school started PLC's in a couple of grade levels at the beginning of the year but they fell apart when we have staff changes in October due ot low student enrollment. ONe of the "Leaders" moved to another school at that time and further impacted the PLC's.

My position works across 3 grade levels but I have not been invited into a PLC if any of them are still operating. My inquiries have yealded little information.

[rosieper]

Before the school year started the PLC’s were already set up within the grade levels. This made it difficult for me to get the interest of the teachers. However there was no PLC that included prekindergarten. I decided to meet with my colleague to see if she was interested in a PLC. She was so we started our own. I only have two people participating, myself and the other pre-k teacher. We were told to start small, so I guess you could say we definitely are. Since it is only the two of us we meet about once a week.
The PLC is going well. Usually we plan together, but about once a month we discuss difficulties we may be running into in the classroom. We discuss strtegies that we could use to help solve these problems. Sime of them may be behaviou while others may be academic. We do not follow any particular protocol since it is only the two of us, it is easy to stay on task. If we find we are beginning to turn it into a gripe session, we stop and regroup.
Some of our colleagues in first grade have shown some interest, but have not yet joined us. One of the paraprofessionals has show interest but she does not join us either. She did once, but when she began to get off task and move on to griping she did not like that we said this is not for venting and we must get back to the topic. She felt stifled.
We have not had any problems and found that because of the PLC we began to plan together more and have shared ideas more. We may not do everything that the other suggests but that is part of us having our individual styles. Usually we put our own spin on each others ideas.

[teachabc]

My grade level has a real hard time meeting since we all do not have common planning time or lunch. However, the majority of us do talk over lunch and the rest during dismissal time. Anyone who has an idea or opposes one, can voice their concerns with the grade level chairperson and it usually gets resolved. We all really try to work with one another and help each other out with problems that may arise with parents, subject matter being taught, disruptive students, or administration issues.

[marianrandy]

-How are you conducting PLCs in your school? Mine are informal 1:1 discussions with solutions offered and ideas shared, It is hard to actuallu organize a "meeting" I am also the newbie at my school.

-How are the PLCs going? They are going pretty well- mostly between another self-contained Autistic classroom teacher, 3 k teachers and myself.
-What are your colleagues' reactions? They arer happy about the sharing and solutions.
-What problems and/or successes have you encountered? Resistance to organized meetings- everyone runs off after school. Successes in solving minor difficulties has been attained.

[ArmyBrat]

I was approached by our 4th grade chair yesterday, she wants to start using PLC with the grade level. She asked if I would facilitate the protocols.

[Carmen Smith]

I feel very fortunate that my 2 colleague and I have successfully developed a functioning PLC at our school. Last summer, we had the opportunity of learning about the structure and the power of PLCs at the Ready Schools Miami Program: Facilitating Professional Learning Communities. Towards the end of this course, we created an action plan to facilitate a PLC at Miami Gardens Elementary. Our focus was Vertical Collaboration in Grades K, 1, and 2. Since then, we have formulated and implemented a plan of action which included:
Designing and distributing an invitation to all K-2 teachers;
Proposing 8 sessions of PLCs (10 Master Plan Points for attendance).
To date all our Grades K, One, and Two teachers have fully participated in the PLCs.
The teachers’ reflections on these sessions have all been positive. I have benefitted greatly because I was able to use my colleagues’ suggestions to improve a particular lesson.
Carmen Smith

[JessicaSargunas]

Last week, a few of us that were able to meet, met as a grade level and we did the right/left protocol with markers. We enjoyed this protocol so much at the GPES meeting, which is why we chose it. We found a lot of the same result here as we did at GPES. We found that pretty much everyone only listened to the "rights" and "lefts" instead of the story itself. A few staff members were able to get some correct answers, but many were stumped. I think this protocol is a great example of the importance of listening to the whole story. Taking everything in a getting a whole picture. Sometimes we hear only what we want. In our school, to make our PLC more effective, we are going to try to listen more carefully and me more open. Things are not always black and white. We felt as a team that this protocol is something that would be great to do at the beginning of each school year. We think it would help us to start on a right foot.

[JessicaSargunas]

In addition, we haven't had many opportunities for PLC's. Especially lately with testing. However, we do work well as a grade level and I feel very supportive. More common planning time would be ideal, but there just isn't enough hours in the day. When you are in the classroom, sometimes you feel like it is just you and your students. PLCs help you to feel a little less isolated and that is comforting. I think my goal next year is to try to put more protocols into place and develope a better PLC, at least within our grade level.

[JessicaSargunas]

I think it is great that you are able to have succesful PLCs in your school =)