a focus on learning
DESCRIPTION
My presentation from the ND Education Academy. Many people think that we have a student learning problem in schools. I believe we have an adult learning problem. To truly increase student achievement it must start with the adults in the building. We must develop a culture of learning that begins with teachers and trickles down to students. In this session I will provide practical ideas that will help your district create a focus on learning.TRANSCRIPT
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
• 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?