Harrington Park is using Professional Learning Communities in its school.
THE RECORD
STAFF WRITER
Harrington Park School Principal Brian Gatens recently discussed Professional Learning Communities, which are designed to improve the learning environment for teachers and students.
What are Professional Learning Communities?
The PLCs were a state initiative that the Northern Valley has held onto strongly. Ultimately, they're a way of organizing teachers in such a way that they work together in small communities. The old model treated teachers as an 'individual subcontractor.' The PLC model gets rid of that isolation, and teachers coordinate with one another. The teachers still have individual curriculums, but the focus is on student learning, and how they can get students to learn more.
How do the PLCs help students?
What benefits them the most is that teachers look at the student data, and tailor instructional choices based on student feedback. They're able to see how students are performing in class, and modify their instruction based on that.
Data assessment is taken of the students, and the teachers analyze it. They see what students are doing well, and who is having trouble, and re-teach as necessary. We're making a point of looking at student data, and how that will modify teachers' choices.
It's really taken away the idea of children being anonymous. The teachers know the children very well, and can teach better. It's improved the quality of instruction and improved communication between the professionals.
Is there coordination between the different subjects?
We've built in a common planning time between teachers. The biggest thing with PLCs is time. If you can't
ROY CARATOZZOLO III/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Buy this photoHarrington Park School Principal Brian Gatens, center, at a 'PLC' meeting with professional developmental coach Patty McGee, left, and teachers Allison O'Brien, Kim Niland and Katie Rausa.
The PLCs were a state initiative that the Northern Valley has held onto strongly. Ultimately, they're a way of organizing teachers in such a way that they work together in small communities. The old model treated teachers as an 'individual subcontractor.' The PLC model gets rid of that isolation, and teachers coordinate with one another. The teachers still have individual curriculums, but the focus is on student learning, and how they can get students to learn more.
How do the PLCs help students?
What benefits them the most is that teachers look at the student data, and tailor instructional choices based on student feedback. They're able to see how students are performing in class, and modify their instruction based on that.
Data assessment is taken of the students, and the teachers analyze it. They see what students are doing well, and who is having trouble, and re-teach as necessary. We're making a point of looking at student data, and how that will modify teachers' choices.
It's really taken away the idea of children being anonymous. The teachers know the children very well, and can teach better. It's improved the quality of instruction and improved communication between the professionals.
Is there coordination between the different subjects?
We've built in a common planning time between teachers. The biggest thing with PLCs is time. If you can't