PLCs
What is a PLC?
PLC stands for Professional Learning Community. “The PLC structure is one of continuous adult learning, strong collaboration, democratic participation, consensus about the school environment and culture, and how to attain the desired environment and culture. In such a collegial culture, educators talk with one another about their practice, share knowledge, observe one another, and celebrate one another’s success” (Barth, 2006).
The two main purposes of a PLC are:
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To improve the pedagogical knowledge (skills and knowledge about how we teach) and the content knowledge (skills and knowledge about what we teach) of educators through collaboration between colleagues
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To improve the learning outcomes of students (Fisher, 2020)
Collective Efficacy
“We all do better when we all do better”
- Paul Wellstone
It is a community, not individuals, who need to engage in the work if all students are going to learn at high levels. The answers are in the room, but getting to those answers requires creating systems and supports to help students reach their maximum potential. In order to move from potential to action, we need to move from the individual to the collective. None of us can individually meet the needs of all of the students in our schools. But together, we can (Fisher et al., 2020).