Our commitment to equity and excellence has never been more important. Over the past decade, college- and career-ready standards have dramatically shifted our expectations for student learning. It is no longer enough to raise a hand and give the right answer. Instead, we want students
The Professional Learning Community movement, dating back to the 1970s if not before, has focused on students’ learning and the ways in which teams of educators can respond when students do not learn. Over time, adjustments have been made to the processes teams use to
Every single one of us is a learner at any and every stage in life. Part of how we navigate that learning is through understanding that reflection is part of the process. One of the ways we continue to grow and improve is taking time to look at
We have been advocates for, and practitioners of, professional learning communities for many years. We have seen all kinds of things called a “professional learning community”—from book discussions to staff meetings to deep conversations about student’s learning. In fact, we have categorized our experiences with
It’s often this time of the year that I hear my peers, colleagues, and friends utter the phrase “I would exercise more if I had more time”… “I’m going to clean out the garage once I find the time”… I will clean out my closets
Imagine your students leaving your class at the end of the school year telling their friends what Nika told his: You are going to want to take a class from Mrs. Baker. She is awesome
“Seek out knowledge, inspiration, and great connections.” By Marla Tabaka of Inc. I love this quote mostly because it is through my connections that I gain knowledge and inspiration. And due to our ever-evolving digital society, it has never been easier to meet, connect, and collaborate
This article was originally posted on TonyaSinger.com Collaboration can be shallow or deep, a way to maintain business as usual, or a driver for collective change. To go deep together with the collective trust and courage essential for asking and acting on tough questions, we need
Contributed by Casey Reason, Ph.D. Introduction There has certainly been a great deal of controversy in recent months regarding the use of summative teacher evaluation systems as a means for inspiring school improvement. Many states have required districts to rethink their systems for teacher evaluation and to
Are your PLCs having their best possible impact? Are they passionate and inspired? What actions and evidence would you look for? PLC impact cannot be measured by simply the presence of core characteristics: goal setting, shared values, collaborative culture, and positive relationships between staff. These PLC