My name is Keeton Christian, I am currently teaching 7th grade Language Arts and I serve as the 7th grade team leader for a group of 85 students and 23 teachers and specialists. I have to say since I joined the Carol Morgan School of Santo Domingo I was pleasantly surprised by the warmth and caring group of professionals who received and guided me during that first year. I experienced first handed what it is to belong to a professional learning community.
Nicolaas (our principal) has built a structure that allows us to meet every six days as team. We also have different common planning times with the people in our department and our grade level. This allows for teachers to meet with peers who are teaching the same subject and those who share the same group of students.
Throughout the year we are provided with numerous opportunities for professional development, these include going to conferences, taking classes, online webinars, one day seminars or boot camps and everything else in between. Once a month the entire school has a half day professional development day. Generally most of these days are called Menu days where teachers share something they have recently learnt or have been trained at. A schedule is set and throughout the year we all have a chance to be either the presenters or the attendants of a seminar by teachers for teachers.
One important aspect about Nicolaas philosophy regarding learning communities is that leadership is shared by all members. Every two years team and department leaders rotate. This allows for a healthy exchange of new ideas and shared responsibilities. It provides opportunities for teachers to become involved in their personal development and the development of those around them fostering individual and community growth simultaneously.
When we meet as teams, and following the same format of our team leaders meeting with our principal, we begin by sharing a "Tribes" activity that allows us to come together as a community; sharing the same values and believes in education, reminding us to make decisions solely based on what is best for student’s success. This year it was my goal as team leader to also provide a small but significant slot in our team level meeting dedicated to professional learning. Each member is in charge of sharing a professional learning experience, new insight, new development or new ideas that contribute to the overall development of our learning community.
Nicolaas (our principal) has built a structure that allows us to meet every six days as team. We also have different common planning times with the people in our department and our grade level. This allows for teachers to meet with peers who are teaching the same subject and those who share the same group of students.
Throughout the year we are provided with numerous opportunities for professional development, these include going to conferences, taking classes, online webinars, one day seminars or boot camps and everything else in between. Once a month the entire school has a half day professional development day. Generally most of these days are called Menu days where teachers share something they have recently learnt or have been trained at. A schedule is set and throughout the year we all have a chance to be either the presenters or the attendants of a seminar by teachers for teachers.
One important aspect about Nicolaas philosophy regarding learning communities is that leadership is shared by all members. Every two years team and department leaders rotate. This allows for a healthy exchange of new ideas and shared responsibilities. It provides opportunities for teachers to become involved in their personal development and the development of those around them fostering individual and community growth simultaneously.
When we meet as teams, and following the same format of our team leaders meeting with our principal, we begin by sharing a "Tribes" activity that allows us to come together as a community; sharing the same values and believes in education, reminding us to make decisions solely based on what is best for student’s success. This year it was my goal as team leader to also provide a small but significant slot in our team level meeting dedicated to professional learning. Each member is in charge of sharing a professional learning experience, new insight, new development or new ideas that contribute to the overall development of our learning community.