Six Core Principles of a Professional Learning Community

– a culture of collaboration – shared mission, vision and values– collective inquiry into best practice– action orientation– continuous improvement– a focus on results

(DuFour & Eaker, 1998)

Creating a Mission

• Do we have a collective commitment to our Mission, Vision, and Values?

• Are our Mission, Vision and Values statements clear?

• Does our learning community know and understand our Mission, Vision and Values?

Building the Foundation of a Professional Learning Community

Mission & Vision

The most important question in any organization has to be “What is the business of our business?” Answering this question is the first step in setting priorities.

- Judith Bardwick, The Leader of the Future

The Big Picture

CLARIFIESPRIORITIESSHARPENS

FOCUS

FUNDAMENTALPURPOSE

WHY?

MISSION

GIVESDIRECTIONS

COMPELLINGFUTURE

WHAT?

VISION

GUIDESBEHAVIOR

COLLECTIVECOMMITMENTS

HOW?

VALUES

ESTABLISHESPRIORITIES

TARGETS &TIMETABLES

WHAT STEPSWHEN?

GOALS

The First Building BlockMission/Purpose

• Why do we exist?

• What are we here to do together?

• What is the business of our business?

1 S T P IL L A R

C L A R IF IE SP R IO R ITIE SS H A R P E N S

F O C U S

F U N D A M E N TA LP U R P O S E

W H Y ?

M IS S IO N

Mission Statements

“The mission of Stevenson High School is to provide a positive learning environment which will allow students in our school community the opportunity to achieve their greatest potential as responsible contributing members of a changing society”.

 

1 S T P IL L A R

C L A R IF IE SP R IO R ITIE SS H A R P E N S

F O C U S

F U N D A M E N TA LP U R P O S E

W H Y ?

M IS S IO N

Mission Statements

“It is the mission of our school to help each and every child realize his or her full potential and become a responsible and productive citizen and life-long learner who is able to use technology effectively and appreciate the multi-cultural society in which we live as we prepare for the challenges of the twenty-first century”.

- Richard DuFour

Professional Learning Communities at Work (1998)

1 S T P IL L A R

C L A R IF IE SP R IO R ITIE SS H A R P E N S

F O C U S

F U N D A M E N TA LP U R P O S E

W H Y ?

M IS S IO N

Mission Statements

“The mission of Pontiac High School is to ensure that everyone achieves individual excellence”.

1 S T P IL L A R

C L A R IF IE SP R IO R ITIE SS H A R P E N S

F O C U S

F U N D A M E N TA LP U R P O S E

W H Y ?

M IS S IO N

Mission Statements

'To be an outstanding community for Teaching and Learning, at the forefront of innovation, ensuring all exceed their expectations.'

Mission Statement January 1998

Ravens Wood School

1 S T P IL L A R

C L A R IF IE SP R IO R ITIE SS H A R P E N S

F O C U S

F U N D A M E N TA LP U R P O S E

W H Y ?

M IS S IO N

To improve student achievement and to enhance staff development within a professional learning community

Smurals Professional Learning Community

There is no more powerful engine driving an organization toward excellence and long-range success than an attractive, worthwhile, and achievable vision of the future, widely shared.

- Burt Namus, Visionary Leardership

Vision

GIVESDIRECTIONS

COMPELLINGFUTURE

WHAT?

VISION

What must our school (we) become to accomplish our purpose?

Smurals PLC Vision

• to develop a community of learners (administrators, teachers and students)

• common focus: planning & delivery of QEP recentralization of relevant PD

• job-embedded professional development

• to share expertise and resources (Admin. & teachers)

GUIDESBEHAVIOR

COLLECTIVECOMMITMENTS

HOW?

VALUES

“How must we behave to create the school that will achieve our purpose?”

“How are we going to act?”

Shared … collective commitments

Values “ Our Guiding Principles”

Smurals PLC

• Participation of administrators (keep the pieces together)

• Encourage professional growth

• Foster open communication & consensus

• Instill a spirit of collective inquiry, collaboration & reflective practice

• Optional attendance, committed participation

• Evolve and adapt over time

• Cultivate ownership & develop shared leadership

ESTABLISHESPRIORITIES

TARGETS &TIMETABLES

WHAT STEPSWHEN?

GOALS

“How will we know if all of this is making a difference?”

GoalsWhat actual changes & learning will take place?

Smurals PLC

• Teacher continuity

• Teachers visiting teachers (support network)

• Produce, share and teach cross-cycle units

• Reduce isolation - build relationships & teamwork

• Shared leadership

• Engage expertise & identify and build a strengths inventory

• Increase craft knowledge

• Administration team network

The Big Picture

CLARIFIESPRIORITIESSHARPENS

FOCUS

FUNDAMENTALPURPOSE

WHY?

MISSION

GIVESDIRECTIONS

COMPELLINGFUTURE

WHAT?

VISION

GUIDESBEHAVIOR

COLLECTIVECOMMITMENTS

HOW?

VALUES

ESTABLISHESPRIORITIES

TARGETS &TIMETABLES

WHAT STEPSWHEN?

GOALS

This presentation has been adapted from the book Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning

Communities at Work (2006)

by Richard DuFour, Rebecca DuFour, Robert Eaker, Thomas Many