High School Professional Learning Communities

[Janet Madsen]

Our district is planning to change our daily schedules to incorporate weekly time for
teachers to participate in professional learning communities. I would like to hear from
other HS librarians. How, and in what ways have you participated in these opportunities?

[Jennifer MacKenzie]

I have participated on the Data Team PLC -- because I wanted to learn a bit more about data and how it was going to be used by classroom teachers. I have since move to the Technology PLC as I can help individual teachers incorporate the use of technology into their lessons and by extension the use of library materials.... So far I have helped 2 teachers get started with websites, and a handful on creating power points, another teacher and I will work with the smart notebook the next time the group meets.

[Terri Lent]

We have have PLC's called Teacher Groups for 4 years as part of a grant to implement the Content Literacy Continuum to improve literacy for all kids across all curriculums. We started out meeting monthly during planning periods but there was a lot of resentment for having to "give up time". We now meet quarterly during early release or professional development days. Teacher Leaders set the agenda and create activities and discussion questions concerning literacy issues. Faculty members are mixed up randomly. It's become a positive experience and a way for our faculty to get to know one another (we're a large school with 150-ish teachers who are very departmentalized normally). It's been amazing to see English teachers and Science teachers working together (with librarians) to deal with research and literacy issues that come up during freshmen science projects. It's really brought our faculty together!

[read4me]

Janet,

We just started plc's. Currently the way we are grouped may or may not work. It was interesting to see the comments posted. How are your plc's going. In its short plc life, the plc's have allowed me to connect wikis and blogs to curriculum. We are thinking of beginning a blog or wiki to house our school questions and resources as well as discuss certain issues.

[read4me]

I am also looking for resources on plc's - currently just books - not much on-line community support yet.