Module 5: District PLCs - Sustaining the Work
Sustaining the Work—essential
PLC practices of effective districts
Often PLCs start off with great fervor, enthusiasm and good intentions. Teams create norms, begin agendas and start the work. Everything seems to be working well until the first roadblock—and that roadblock is often about past behaviors, culture and hierarchy that has yet to have positive precedent. Being aware of those roadblocks ahead of time and ensuring that a group’s essential /guiding questions (“What does it look like when we are focused on teaching and learning? What gets us off track?” “What is success?” “What actions make roadblocks?” “What does it look like when we stay focused on our action plan? etc.) have been considered ahead of time are good moves. Harder challenges are when old behaviors rear their heads, as in everyone being quiet when traditional hierarchies pull weight. Knowing and talking about the challenges of equitable conversation in the face of teams composed of some people who supervise others, is critical. Doing so under the auspices of well thought-out norms of conduct make these safe conversations. Keeping the conversation focused on teaching and learning makes all the difference.
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Often PLCs start off with great fervor, enthusiasm and good intentions. Teams create norms, begin agendas and start the work. Everything seems to be working well until the first roadblock—and that roadblock is often about past behaviors, culture and hierarchy that has yet to have positive precedent. Being aware of those roadblocks ahead of time and ensuring that a group’s essential /guiding questions (“What does it look like when we are focused on teaching and learning? What gets us off track?” “What is success?” “What actions make roadblocks?” “What does it look like when we stay focused on our action plan? etc.) have been considered ahead of time are good moves. Harder challenges are when old behaviors rear their heads, as in everyone being quiet when traditional hierarchies pull weight. Knowing and talking about the challenges of equitable conversation in the face of teams composed of some people who supervise others, is critical. Doing so under the auspices of well thought-out norms of conduct make these safe conversations. Keeping the conversation focused on teaching and learning makes all the difference.
>Back to Table of Contents