Learning Labs in the Middle School

A Role to Support Your School’s Professional Development Facilitator…

What is a Learning Lab Teacher (LLT)?

•A learning lab teacher is a teacher already in your school that will stay in their current teaching role.

•They should be recognized and chosen as a ‘teacher leader’ and an educator that demonstrates best practice, differentiation strategies, and expertise in content and instruction.

•This teacher and their classroom will serve as a Learning Lab, supporting the efforts of the Professional Development Facilitator in your building.

•The LLT will work in conjunction with the PDF to ensure teachers in your building can see school and district initiatives (professional development) modeled at an expert level. This will ultimately serve as a school-site model for observing professional development strategies ‘in action’.

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What will the LLT do in our building?

3

Pre-conferenceVisit to

Learning Lab Teacher (LLT)

Mid-conference Visit to teacher Post-conference

-To determine specific areas(s) of visiting teacher need.-To ensure LLT & visiting teacher are on the same page as to what they want to see in practice…

-Teacher(s) from your school may visit LLT to learn about best practices in instruction, classroom management, data collection, disaggregation of data, use of collected data, etc.

-Planning conference between PDF & visiting teacher to develop lesson plan and set goals based on new learning they observed in learning lab.(Includes critical questioning, coaching skills, providing resources, follow-up & accountability model…)

-PDF visits teacher to observe the teacher implementing learned strategies.-PDF may employ ‘whisper-in’ coaching model, collect data connected to teacher goals, & co-teach or model a lesson at this stage of the cycle.

-PDF holds a post-conference with the teacher(s) to summarize learning & review student data.-This step includes sharing of analysis , which is where the conversation begins. PDF may provide further resources here.

Who is responsible for this step?: PDF

Who is responsible for this step?: LLT

Who is responsible for this step?: PDF

Who is responsible for this step?: PDF

Who is responsible for this step?: PDF

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•As mentioned, the LLT will support your building PDF and their work.

•The PDF will set up teacher visits to the LLT for teachers to observe specific, pre-determined strategies or instructional techniques.

•Teachers that observe instruction in the learning lab will then debrief with the PDF and set personal goals for further follow-up, as shown in the previous chart.

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Benefits of Learning Labs…

Pre-conference with teacher

Visit to LLT

Mid-conference

Visit to Teacher (by PDF)

Post-conference with teacher

***Learning Labs align to SP2018, Goals 1, 2, & 5…

The Learning Lab model allows schools to adopt a peer assistance and reflection model towards improving teacher instruction and retention, through using effective strategies for developing human capital.

Using this model, teacher leaders (LLTs) mentor and provide assistance to their peers, while PDFs provide further resources and coaching feedback for growth opportunities.

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What else do I need to know about the LLT role?

1. The expectation is that each middle school will have at least 1 LLT, but could have more based on need and principal decision (i.e.: 2 LLTs, one with a math focus & one with a literacy focus).

2. Each middle school with an LLT will be allotted $500, regardless of number of learning labs (multiple LLTs at one school will still only be allotted a flat rate of $500).

3. The allotted money can be used in any way the principal sees fit for supporting the Learning Lab Teacher role (PD for the LLT, resource purchases, technology, substitute days for training, etc.).

4. Each LLT will be invited to some of our district PDF meetings this year. Substitutes will be funded through the Office of Organizational Development (TPD).

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Learning Facilitator

Teacher Leader

Classroom

Supporter

Instructional Leader

Professional

Developer

Resource Provider

Coach/ Consultant/ Collaborator

Peer Assessor

(observer)

ROLES OF AN ‘LLT’

WHAT TO

CONSIDER

WHEN

CHOOSING AN

LLT FOR YOUR

SCHOOL:

*Choose someone who:

- has a good working relationship with the PDF, since there will be close

collaboration

-models best practice

-is viewed as a teacher leader by peers

-contributes to the success of others

-is an instructional expert

-participates in continuous learning

-establishes collegial relationships

-demonstrates differentiation strategies

-models use of instructional technology

-reaches ‘accomplished’ or ‘distinguished’ on evaluations

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Additional information…

• PDFs will be provided with information on the new Learning Lab roles at our first meeting of the school year (August 20th).

• Principals are responsible for choosing the Learning Lab Teachers within their school (with desired input from the PDF or any other administration within the school).

Contact Lisa Brizendine at:lisa.lemaster@cms.k12.nc.us or 980-343-1306

Office of Organizational Development

Have additional questions?