I am currently consulting with a school district leadership team as they plan to introduce Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) systemwide next school year.  Quite often, I am consulting with teams looking to strengthen, change, or fix PLCs that too are just another meeting on teachers’ busy calendars. The effectiveness of PLCs doesn’t lie in their […]

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 […]

Zachary Herrmann published an article in ASCD’s EL titled, Cooperate or Collaborate, that made connections for me in my work with Professional Learning Communities vs Professional Working Communities and Teams vs Franchises. I’ve been defining these as: PWC – Professional Working Community –teachers collaborating to get work done. PLC – Professional Learning Community- teachers collaborating […]

While observing in classrooms in several schools these past few weeks, I was re-engaged in the examination of the language teachers and students use when describing the tasks in which students are engaged. It is often described as the “work” that students are to do.  I’m wondering how that concept interferes with students’ focus on […]