Teachers Helping Teachers!

When teachers collaborate, student achievement goes up. “To create a professional learning community, focus on learning rather than teaching, work collaboratively and hold yourself accountable for results” (DuFour, 2004). Where teachers connect and network with each other, they share ideas, offer support and encouragement, and challenge each other to better practice.

“Powerful proven structures for improved results already exist. They begin where a group of teachers meet regularly as a team to identify essential and valued student learning, develop common formative assessments, analyze current levels of achievement, set achievement goals, and then share and create lessons and strategies to improve upon those levels” (Schmoker, 2005).

We at EduCAN promote teachers connecting and helping each other. Along with author Todd Whitaker, we ask, “Would it improve your school if all of your teachers were as good as your very best?” (2005). Find the best teachers in your school and start with them. Let your best teachers lead the way in growing together. As we at EduCAN deliver professional development, we actively promote teachers connecting and forming professional learning communities.

References

DuFour, R. (2004). Schools as learning communities. Educational Leadership, 67(8), 6-11.

Schmoker, M. (2005). Learning communities at the crossroads: Toward the best schools we’ve ever had. Phi Delta Kappan. 86(1), 88-88.

Whitaker T. (2005) Predicting the future of education. Principal Leadership Magazine, March 2005.