Written for educators and administrators, this book explores professional learning communities from a teacher's perspective. Focused chapters survey effective and collaborative team actions, instructional practices that enhance teacher efficiency, and the role teacher judgment and classroom context play in determining instructional outcomes. The authors show that shifting teachers' focus from teaching to learning creates a lasting commitment to PLC success.
Benefits:
- Understand the positive effect the PLC at Work™ process has on improving school culture, staff morale, and student achievement.
- Use collaborative teams to boost teacher and student expectations and foster an environment that promotes higher-level learning for all students.
- Explore how teachers' continued learning positively influences student learning.
- Learn strategies to engage students and assess their progress.
- Explore the challenges--and ultimate failure--of school improvement efforts in traditional schools, and realize how PLCs overcome these challenges.
Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: Looking Inside a Professional Learning Community
Chapter 2: Being a Teacher in a Professional Learning Community
Chapter 3: Working in Collaborative Teams
Chapter 4: Using the Effective Teacher s Toolbox
Chapter 5: Managing Classroom Behavior
Chapter 6: Teaching in a Results-Oriented Culture
Epilogue: Tying It All Together: Imagine Teaching in This School
References and Resources
Robert Eaker, EdD, is a professor in the department of educational leadership at Middle Tennessee State University, where he also served as dean of the College of Education and later as interim executive vice president and provost. Dr. Eaker is a former fellow with the National Center for Effective Schools Research and Development, and in 1986 the Phi Delta Kappan recognized him as one of North America's leaders in translating research into practice.
He has written widely on the issues of effective teaching, effective schools, helping teachers use research findings, and high expectations for student achievement, and he has coauthored with Richard and Rebecca DuFour numerous books and other resources on the topic of reculturing schools and school districts into professional learning communities (PLCs).
In 1998, Dr. Eaker was recognized by the governor of Tennessee as the recipient of Tennessee's Outstanding Achievement Award. Also in 1998, the Tennessee House of Representatives passed a proclamation recognizing him for his dedication and commitment to the field of education. In 2003, Dr. Eaker was selected by the Middle Tennessee State University Student Government Association to receive the Womack Distinguished Faculty Award.
For four decades, Dr. Eaker has served as a consultant to school districts throughout North America and has been a frequent speaker at state, regional, and national meetings.
Janel Keating is superintendent of the White River School District in the state of Washington. An accomplished educator with more than twenty-five years of experience, she is a former elementary and middle school teacher, elementary principal, director of student learning, and deputy superintendent. For eight years, Janel was principal of Mountain Meadow Elementary School. During her time there, Mountain Meadow was recognized as one of the highest academically performing elementary schools in the state.
Janel has been named Principal of the Year in Pierce County, Washington, and is a recipient of the Carroll College 2013 Alumni Academic Achievement Award. An author, Janel has written books and numerous articles on leadership and school improvement. She coauthored (with Robert Eaker) the lead chapter in the 2012 Yearbook of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
She presents at state and national events and has consulted monthly with nearly 250 schools and school districts. Janel is past president of the Washington State Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
She earned a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Idaho and a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Carroll College in Montana. Janel also received a superintendent's certificate from Seattle Pacific University.
