Shelley Rossitto

The Northwest Regional Education Lab- quality and teaching division, created a guide to develop professional learning teams to bring teachers together as leaders in their own development and growth. High need districts were selected for the study. Teachers were put into teams to look at data, determine instructional strategies based on that data, use research based strategies, collect classroom data and reflect as a team to improve. The process also includes developing teams, resolving conflict, developing trust, and improving communication.

This model puts teachers in the drivers seat and administrators provide them with the resources they need to succeed. Those resources might be access to the data they need, professional development and meeting time, bringing in experts as they identify areas they want to improve, etc. Teachers drive the change by their own research which is what we encourage our students to do. Our teachers become learners, educators and decision makers in their own destiny with a common goal of improving student performance. With this vested interest teachers develop a process for growth and “life long learning” that we so desparately want to instill in our students.

This article provides a guide which I highly recommend. Administrators become supporters and gatherers of resources and teachers implement their plans as teams to provide constant feedback, improving of practice, and reflection.

The article is Improving Instruction through Professional Learning Teams, A guide for school leaders. November 2005, Dr. Susan Sather. I have provided you with a link under other resources.

It is time! I have the need to move. I brought my husband to Morocco last fall – we went back packing and 4-wheeling. The cultural encounters and scenery was beautiful. My mind always makes it back to our children. I wonder how different the world would be if we could come together. I aspire to try and do this with technology. It is difficult to promote that when teachers themselves might not have had these experiences. You have to feel it to understand it. How can technology bring us closer together? There is a place for everything but technology can help us bridge that gap. Back to the trip though- what is next – any ideas to help me out for an adventure.