The answer is simple, PLC’s became ineffective when administrators used it for ‘filler’ for any and everything they wanted to accomplish in the school. Paraphrasing Using a paraphrase starter that is comfortable for you – “So…” or “As you are…” or “You’re Every PLC meeting should be teacher lead, not administrative lead. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. This is a ‘sure fire’ way to make teachers ‘zone out’ well before the first item on the agenda  is addressed. Norms—or rules—should be determined collaboratively at the first meeting and agreed upon by the team. 3. Sometimes, these are behaviors that may be considered common sense without being expressly articulated. In a PLC, norms represent protocols and commitments to guide members in working together. Norms help team members clarify expectations regarding how they will work together to achieve their shared goal. We’d rather grade a million essays, meet with an irate parent or even hear nails scratched on our chalkboard–anything but another meeting that tells us how to use graphic organizers. If norms are not followed by a member of the group: Remind the group about the expected norm that is not being followed. Knowing that PLCs are common occurrences in most schools, how do you make the meetings worthwhile and engaging to educators? In the last four years, The Educator's Room has grown to become the premiere source for resources, tools, and strategies for all things teaching and learning. The norms for a PLC must be established before any work begins on the mission and vision and goals for the team. Team norms are the basic ground rules for civil discussion among coworkers that should be followed no matter what. Combined with making teachers painfully endure these meetings on a weekly schedule, has made a ‘recipe for disaster’. Now tell us how PLC meetings are handled at your school?  In addition, I’ve been forced to sit  in PLCs where a PowerPoint was played and teachers were expected to sit for 60 minutes and ‘get’ information. What will be important to you in order to value everyone's time and effort and honor everyone's contribution to the group? is becoming increasingly valued by administrators and teachers alike. Professional articles should be read outside the meeting time frame. ESTABLISH GROUP NORMS. Is it really effective to have a 45 minute PLC EVERY DAY??? Not only do the norms need to be agreed upon by all team members, but they also should be reviewed at the beginning of each meeting. 2. PLC Definition: The professional learning community is an ongoing process in which educators work If so why? The Professional Learning Communities Resource Site will serve as a resource for faculty and staff at Grandview Elementary. And of course, being a part of this awesome team that is Focused on Learning and making campus changes that reflect that! Use this time to actually strengthen the culture of the school- not just to have another meeting. I try to connect this portion to the teacher spotlight, so that it is not just random activities. Every  PLC meeting should be teacher lead, not administrative lead. This usually takes anywhere from 10-15 minutes. These norms are put in place so that various points of view are offered and discussed among the team and not just by the will of the people in the right. 2. We have not been consistent on our campus (YET) about holding each other accountable for meeting norms.  We decided to update our grade level meeting norms this year, and yes, we did it in December.  Each grade level reviewed their norms and updated them for the year.  We added them to a shared Google Slideshow so that they can be accessible from anywhere in the building, or the world.  Therefore, there are no excuses about access. This usually lasts about 30-40 minutes. What are Meeting Norms? PLCs look different depending on the group, school, or district that is working together. It makes no sense to make a veteran teacher sit in a PLC about the use of graphic organizers or for a teacher who has excellent classroom management to sit in a PLC about classroom management. Follow up later with the colleague to find out what is frustrating them about the process if they continue to not follow the norms. Wait, what? Norms of Collaboration Annotated 1. • The focus is always centered on student learning! But we can save ourselves frustration and miscommunication if we practice being clear and direct. 3. Establish them at your first meeting and briefly revisit them at the beginning of every meeting. How is that most PLCs that I’m a part of consist of nothing of the above? Jeans days on our Guiding Coalition Meeting days. September Madness: 5 Thoughts For Young TeachersThe Educator's Room | Empowering Teachers as the Experts. Data needs to be brought to meeting and used as a resource for planning instruction (individual, small group, or … PLC Overview The PLC Overview will provide background information on PLCs as well as the components, procedures and protocols of effective PLCs based on research. Action Plan to improve the accountability for Meeting Norms: Elementary Principal in Fort Smith Arkansas, who is passionate about education and who's mission is to Encourage, Support, & Always Ask "What is best for kids?" This person makes sure the meeting starts and stops on time and that it is moves ahead. Provide examples of norms by posting the list of norms that appears on Page 5 of this issue of Tools for Schools. Agree to group ‘norms’ so that people can arrive on time and be ‘present’ in the meeting so that the work can be completed. A professional learning community (PLC) involves much more than a staff meeting or group of teachers getting together to discuss a book they’ve read. Dec. 15, 2020. For fifteen years Franchesca taught English/Language Arts in two urban districts in Atlanta, Georgia, and Memphis, Tennessee. Here are some for you to consider: 1.) An agenda is a valuable tool for keeping a meeting on task. Copyright 2016 The Educators Room | Designed by. 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