Assess The Importance Of Professional Learning Community

In education, the term professional learning community is very common. This term, however, can mean many things to different educators. It can be used to talk about extending classroom practices to the community, bring outside people into the school to increase learning of students, engaging students, teacher learning, among other definitions. The main definition I want focus on is professional learning communities as a way of getting teachers and administrations together to enhance learning through professional learning and training. Similarly, professional learning communities as a way of getting teachers together to discuss growth of student through the use of data and students’ work. According to Richard DuFour, Rebbeca DuFour, and Robert
PLCs allow teachers to improve their teaching through the involvement of others and collaboration with others. Teachers are more likely to feel successful in their career if they have support from others. It is a way of providing a support system for teachers and not becoming isolated in their own classrooms. Teachers who participate in PLCs are also more likely to have a different points of views and are willing to try new ideas in their classrooms, they are also more likely to stay in the career longer. In my personal experience, PLCs haven been very beneficial. My first year of teaching I was part of a math PLC. We met every Friday in a different classroom. We would take turns bringing food for our PLC members, and would also spend time talking about the struggles of teaching. I felt supported and welcomed as a teacher. I remember getting plenty of advice and ideas. One thing, I was open to feedback and always welcomed positive feedback. This year, our PLCs are only once a month and I do not find it enough time. I feel that at our school, we have become isolated. One way to deal with this lack of PLC is by turning to online forums. I spend a lot of my mornings on Edmodo posting questions and sharing resources. I hope next year our PLCs are improved and we get more time to collaborate. The best way again, is to learn from others and work together to improve the needs of our students. I think our principal and leadership team can play a big role, but it needs to be done from the start of the school