Professional Learning Plan

BHAG: Upon completion of professional learning based on the 5 Principles of Effective Professional Development, teachers will be able to effectively implement blended learning in kindergarten to differentiate learning.

My Why

I am an educator and my students are my why. I have taught for 14 years in 1st grade and kindergarten. The littles are my why. I teach foundational skills that will be carried through their lives and education. Every year we teach to diverse classrooms where we need to meet the needs of all students. As I continue my journey in the DLL program at Lamar University, I have been able to add to my resources to help reach all students. Things such as growth mindset, blended learning, life long learners, and now alternate professional learning will be beneficial to me and my students. In my 14 years, the most effective professional developments are the ones that are ongoing.

Duration:

• Consistent Sessions throughout the 2022 School Year: During Team PLC meetings (at least once a month) and Designated district PLC days (once during grading period).

Ongoing Support:

• I know it will be challenging yet, I will be there as PL facilitator. We will have a calendar with scheduled PLC meetings, but I will also be available to the kindergarten team before and after school, in person or via email.

• Darlene Cornier will be co leader and will help facilitate information and sessions.

• All facilitators and learners will be co learners and this will be a norm when we meet.

• Campus administration is welcome to join and facilitate at sessions as well.

Active Learning Environments:

• Monthly Smore Newsletters with ideas and resources.

• Shout out to teachers/students that are modeling blended learning in their classrooms.

• Collaboration is a must and working together will improve our chances of successfully implementing blended learning. If something is not working, we will make adjustments and not fear failure or challenges along the way.

Modeling:

• Teachers will add to an ongoing Google slide presentation ways to implement blended learning. Slides will be showcased at faculty meetings.

• Teachers will record lessons and have them available for other teachers to view.

Specific to Discipline: This PL will be primarily for kindergarten teachers, but eventually will be adapted to 1st grade. If it is effective, my goal is eventually for all staff to be a part of it (Pre-K through 5th grade).

How will I Foster Collaboration and Self Directed Learning? I will make myself available to collaborate with my team. Teachers will be able to voice concerns and frustrations not just at meetings, but as needed. At sessions, teachers, administration, and facilitators will establish that we are all co learners. This take shape during sessions and via online surveys like Google Forms. Open communication online and in person will help us collaborate when we are meeting face to face or interacting online. By having different ways to present and receive information, we will foster collaboration to meet the needs of all learners. Learners will also have access to each Smore used at sessions.

Who will lead what components? I will lead as PL facilitator and Darelene Cornier will be co leader. She is on my kindergarten team and is also helping bring blended learning to our school. Eventually administration and teachers in the sessions will lead sessions too.

Audience and their needs: The focus will be on the kindergarten team at Alamo Elementary. Eventually it will include other grade levels. Teachers on my team are at different levels with technology so they will need a lot of modeling and time to explore.

Instructional Design of your PL: I will be using the BHAG & 3 Column Table. The 3 Column Table is down below.

Schedule/timeline

• Set up PL in our PLC calendar and establish norms.

• Add to our PLC folder. Include videos, resources, literature, and ideas to bring effective blended learning to our kindergarten classrooms.

• Session 1: Present the 5 Principles of Effective Professional Development to the kindergarten team.

• Session 2: I will show video on blended learning and articles and literature will be shared.

• Session 3: Discuss ways we can bring blended learning into our classrooms.

• Session 4: Discuss how we are using blended learning and time management.

• Session 5: Share things that are working well and things that are not.

• Session 6: Reflect and grow. Discuss how we will continue to use blended learning moving forward.

Resources:

• Gulamhussaein’s 5 Principles of Effective Professional Development

• Laptops and iPads

• Reliable Wifi

• Smore Newsletter

• Google Account

• Google Slides

• Access to a shared Google Drive

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References:

Gulamhussein, A. (2013). Teaching the teachers effective professional development in an era of high stakes accountability. Center for Public Education. Retrieved from http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/system/files/2013-176_ProfessionalDevelopment.pdf