Professional Learning Time
Only organizations that have a passion for learning will have an enduring influence.
Steven Covey
The premise for building Professional Learning Time in the school schedule is to allow teachers and administrators time for collaborative work with intentions of increasing student achievement. The goal is to enhance effectiveness of professionals through Professional Learning Communities so that students benefit. As an organization, Professional Learning Communities are a powerful staff development model and an effective strategy for school change and improvement.
Components of Professional Learning Communities
Using Professional Learning Time
1. Shared mission, vision and values – Teachers and administrators commit to what the school and district believe and seek to create strategies to support the mission, vision and values.
2. Collective inquiry – Teachers and administrators look at what is happening with student achievement, seek new methods or strategies, test those methods and then reflect on results.
3. Collaborative teams – The old adage, “There is no I in team” holds true for schools. Teachers need time to collaborate about student learning and learn from one another to create momentum for continued improvement.
4. Action orientation – Teams will turn goals into actions and visions into reality.
5. Continuous improvement – Teachers and administrators commit to continuous inquiry and improvement; the cycle of collective inquiry is constant.
6. Results orientation - All actions will be assessed on the basis of student results.
The schools are eager to use this new time to implement components of Professional Learning Communities. Professional Learning Time provides the vehicle for this to occur. The ultimate purpose is to increase student learning and achievement.
Professional Learning Time Dates and Schedule