Personalized Learning through Collaboration (PLtC)

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES (PLC)

What are they?

What do they look like?

Why bother?

Salt Lake City

Nov. 16-18

OUR Plan: The End in Mind

2018-19: Almond will have a fully implemented, integrated academic program that personalizes learning for children by abilities as they work towards mastery in all subject areas while also honoring their choice and voice through interest.

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2017-18: Systematically regroup students throughout the year by ability level within and across grade levels in the areas of ELA and math. Incorporate authentic ways for students to exercise their voice and choice in all subject areas.

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2016-17: Systematically regroup students throughout the year by ability level within and across grade levels in the area of ELA. Advance work in the area of regrouping students throughout the year by ability level in math.

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2015-16: Advance work in the area of regrouping students throughout the year by ability level in ELA.

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2014-15: Clarify and develop a plan with the entire Almond staff to personalize learning for ALL children..

The Leadership Team

• TK - Lisa Schubert
• K - Laurie Lamb
• 1 - Sarah Hall
• 2 - Melissa Powell
• 3 - Joann Martinez
• 4 - Annie Daggett
• 5 - Laura Ohlund
• 6 - Jasen Stuart
• STEM - Beth Leach
• Psychologist - Kristin Clouser
• Principal - Erika Benadom

Biggest Take Aways

1. Paradigm Shift
2. Collaboration
3. Learning Data

Paradigm Shift:

Focus on

student LEARNING outcomes

vs.

what is TAUGHT

no longer

alone

in supporting

all of our

unique learners

Defining Mission vs. Vision

MISSION

• Why do we exist?
• Define fundamental purpose.
• Clarify priorities. Create focus.

VISION

• What must we become?
• Describe compelling future.
• Gives school direction.

MISSION

Does anything need to be added?

How can we more clearly define our mission?

Add your reflections with a sticky note.

Empower our students to own their learning in a collaborative community.

VISION

Does anything need to be added?

How can we more clearly define our mission?

Add your reflections with a sticky note.

We will foster engaged learners who are able to:

1. Explore interests, pursue passions, and develop their voice
2. Build confidence through a growth mindset
3. Work together to solve problems and think creatively
4. Celebrate their successes!!!

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What makes a TEAM?

TEAM

Each member works INTERDEPENDENTLY to achieve COMMON GOALS, for which we will hold ourselves MUTUALLY ACCOUNTABLE!

Examples of OUR Collective Commitments

WE WILL:

• Put the needs of the students first
• Challenge ALL students
• Collaborate and support each other
• Be open minded and willing to try new things
• Have a growth mindset
• Use data to help drive student instruction
• Share ideas and resources
• Be willing to give constructive criticism and accept it if it is given
• Give every student multiple opportunities for learning and mastery
• Make students feel safe and welcome so they may thrive
• Be open to change
• Make learning engaging and fun

What is Collaboration?

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A systematic process in which we work together interdependently to analyze and impact professional practice in order to improve our individual AND collective results.

(DuFour, DuFour, & Eaker, Getting Started: Reculturing Schools to Become Professional Learning Communities, 2002)

Critical Questions:

If we believe ALL kids can learn:

1. What is it we expect them to learn? (Essential skills - standards based)
2. How will we know when they have learned it? (Common assessments)
3. How will we respond when they don’t learn it? (Interventions)
4. How will we respond when they already know it? (Extensions)

Student

by

Student

Data

Analysis

with

Multiple Measures

EVERY teacher has a spreadsheet like this to reflect upon multiple measures of learning...

One of our multiple measures we use to track growth...

Almond will have a fully implemented, integrated academic program that personalizes learning for children by abilities as they work towards mastery in all subject areas while also honoring their choice and voice through interest.

Meeting needs of ALL Learners

To move towards our goal this year, we moved mountains by strategically scheduling PE, library, music, etc… This IS NOT sustainable for future years, especially if collaboration is necessary across our district.

Future Needs & Sustaining Our Work

• PLC Institute
• July 13-15
• $20,000
• Instruction Design Team Summit
• 6/13-6/17 or 8/8-8/12
• Product outcomes
• Stipend per staff member
• $1500 for week + deliverables
• $45,000
• Dedicated Weekly Collaboration Time
• Can’t sustain current model (schedule matrix pictured on previous slide)
• We NEED either a Late start or early release