Developing Effective Professional Learning

When I sat down and started thinking about the type of professional learning that I wanted to design for my team, I immediately thought of what I didn’t want to do.  I didn’t want to stand at the front of the room and feed them with a bunch of information, data, and strategies.  Instead, I wanted to gift them this time to really be able to learn a new concept.  I wanted to make it engaging, meaningful and impactful for them and their classrooms.  As a kindergarten teacher, I know the value of time and I also know the lack of any extra we have.  I wanted to create a professional learning that they would feel like was worth their while and for them to know they would be supported past our schedule meetings.  I also wanted them to know I trusted them as a professional to know what they needed to learn, that they are experts in their field and can make decisions for their classroom based on the needs of their students.

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Thus, the blended learning station menu was born.  Not only was I going to deliver a professional learning on that exact topic, I was going to also immerse them in it!  What better way to learn about something than for them to experience it themselves?  Gone are the days of the traditional sit and get.  Now these teachers will be exposed and learn the value in a go and show.  With my model of blended learning through stations, I created a professional learning cycle revolving around a station menu.  During these nine weeks, each session will be planned around the station menu.  Teachers will choose which station meets their needs and rotate when they are reading.  During each station they are given the tools to complete it, as well as, have access to coaches and teacher models when needed.

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Below is the slide deck for session one.

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This presentation specifically details what blended learning is and the benefits that it can bring to the classroom.  Taking my innovation plan into account, I have spent time creating a call to action proposal, a professional learning outline, a slide deck for session one, as well as the station menus to be used during our meetings.  All of these, and other resources can be found below. While this outline and plan is detailed, it is easily adaptable and flexible.  If teachers express that they need more time for a specific topic or area, there is ample room for modifications.

 

Below is a detailed plan for each session of our professional learning.  Each session will be lead by me, once a week for nine weeks (longer if needed) during a weekly PLC. 

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