Understanding the desired outcome of a meeting is key to teachers knowing the participatory behaviors that are most productive. Everything being called a PLC interferes with participants being able to focus on the educator learning in true PLCs that leads to increased student success. In professional learning communities, purposeful teacher learning around how to increase […]

After observing many teacher meetings with the label of Professional Learning Community and having lots of discussions with administrators, instructional coaches, and teacher leaders responsible for the effectiveness of these meetings, I have separated the focus of each of these meetings into three categories. All three of these purposes are valuable. I believe that understanding […]

During coaching workshops this week I modeled pre-conferences several times. In each of the cases teacher reflection led to establishing an observation focus that the teacher did not have in mind at the start of conferencing. Reflecting on my practice I identified two processes that “pushed” teachers’ thinking. #1 Student Behaviors- Common questions that I […]