A Focus on Learning

Mike McNeff, Jared Blikre & Jason Gullickson

Link to presentation: http://tinyurl.com/nh8g6me

Learning targets

• Culture of learning• Partnership principles• High quality professional learning

practices• Structural changes• Activities• Practical examples: professional

learning plans

Every Teacher Can Improve

CultureDescribe the culture in your school? From adults to students, is the focus on learning?

Discuss:

Partnership Principles (Knight, 2011)

EqualityChoiceVoiceReflectionDialoguePraxisReciprocity

Equality

“Partners don’t decide for each other, they decide together” (Knight, 2011)

Choice

“Without freedom to choose we are doomed to live someone else’s life” (Knight, 2011).

Voice

“Implementing step-by-step programs or practices without asking for their thoughts or suggestions, we communicate the message that we do not trust teachers to think for themselves” (Knight, 2011).

Reflection

“School leaders who do not create frequent opportunities for teachers to reflect, do so at peril” (Knight 2011).

1. Look back2. Look at 3. Look ahead

Dialogue

“Good professional learning is centered around dialogue” (Knight, 2011).

Praxis

“Praxis is enabled when teachers have a change to explore, prod, stretch, and re-create whatever it is they are studying – to roll up their sleeves, and really consider how they teach” (Knight, 2011).

Reciprocity

“When adults are passionate about learning, their love of growth and development rubs off on students and often infects them with the same passion” (Knight, 2011).

Current reality

Take time to reflect on the seven principles. What is your current reality? What will you focus on when you head back to your school?

(Equality, choice, voice, reflection, dialogue, praxis and reciprocity)

Learn Forward Definition of PD

Primarily occurs several times per week among established teams of teachers, principals, and other instructional staff members where the teams of educators engage in a continuous cycle of improvement.

Shotgun Approach

What works best in PD (Knight, 2011)

• Learning opportunities extend past the in-service days. (Follow up)

• Engagement of teachers during the learning process.

• Provide PD that challenges the teacher.• Talk to teachers about teaching.• PD is more effective when school leadership

participate actively.

Deep principal leadership isn’t enough, teacher

engagement must be at a point where they actively

shape the work.

Journey

• Shift from professional learning largely planned by admin to now planned with and for teachers

• Teacher led professional learning • Established target = Improve engagement• Risk/Reward• June 10-11 meeting - another shift– Development of professional learning plans– Placed all learning on PLCs– PD mentors

Structure• Professional Development Team (7 teachers, 3

admin)• Late start Wednesday (8:00-8:50)– 50 great minutes

• Professional learning days moved into the school year

• Reflection

Activities• District credit (Led by Mike)• Professional Learning Communities– Admin support– 50 great minutes

• Video for reflection• Book study (Mindset) • Standards based learning• Instructional coaching• PAC meeting• Weekly admin meetings

Professional Learning Plan

Professional Learning Plan• Descriptions• Plan • Calendar• Timeline• Walkthrough

Twitter

• Lonely in small schools/at top

• Great PD for admin/teachers

• @mdmcneff• @blikre1• @jasongullickson

Questions to ponder…

• How will you implement a culture of learning?• How will you restructure your school day to

embed professional learning during the work day?

• How will you provide choice, voice, and make PD meaningful for each individual?