ImagineIT Reflection
My ImagineIT project is to transform my math department into a professional learning community.
I wanted to infuse STEM teaching and learning into our math lessons. I discovered that STEM is really about giving the students time and space to struggle with concepts and having them discover the lesson.
In working on ImagineIT phase IV and V, I started off by reflected on the book: What Should I Do? Confronting Dilemmas of Teaching in Urban Schools by Anna Ershler Richert. I connected with the book on many levels. I chose two dilemmas to focus on: teachers and curriculum. I wanted to be aware that even the best and hardest working teachers might have issues with changing the way they work together. My professional learning community asked them to work together in a collaborative structure that asks them to constantly reflect. When looking at the curriculum, it was more an issue of wading through the mass of resources with the new program and helping teachers find what works best for their students.
My next step was to ask for feedback from the administration and focus on one particular teacher collaboration team. My concerns about how the professional learning community was perceived
were unfounded. The administration and team members didn’t just see us as a department. They viewed us as an actual professional learning community with meaningful work. I saw this as a big success for my project.
As I move forward, I find the majority of my colleagues are almost hungry for this type of work and my support in doing the work. They are willing to challenge what was the status quo. They are willing to question, “Why?” I am now looking for data that proves that the PLC will advance student learning.
After writing the implementation report, I think that the biggest task I have is to create a framework that provides the teachers with consistency. Some of our tasks cannot be predicted, but I know that some of what we do should be regular tasks/reflections. I have a standard agenda that is used for each meeting and I am trying to keep it focused to our needs. In round 2, I need to make sure that my colleagues are not overwhelmed. I can do this by staying focused on what we need to do and sifting through what we want to do – together.
Interested in my progress? Follow me on Twitter @MJennings2015
My ImagineIT project is to transform my math department into a professional learning community.
I wanted to infuse STEM teaching and learning into our math lessons. I discovered that STEM is really about giving the students time and space to struggle with concepts and having them discover the lesson.
In working on ImagineIT phase IV and V, I started off by reflected on the book: What Should I Do? Confronting Dilemmas of Teaching in Urban Schools by Anna Ershler Richert. I connected with the book on many levels. I chose two dilemmas to focus on: teachers and curriculum. I wanted to be aware that even the best and hardest working teachers might have issues with changing the way they work together. My professional learning community asked them to work together in a collaborative structure that asks them to constantly reflect. When looking at the curriculum, it was more an issue of wading through the mass of resources with the new program and helping teachers find what works best for their students.
My next step was to ask for feedback from the administration and focus on one particular teacher collaboration team. My concerns about how the professional learning community was perceived
were unfounded. The administration and team members didn’t just see us as a department. They viewed us as an actual professional learning community with meaningful work. I saw this as a big success for my project.
As I move forward, I find the majority of my colleagues are almost hungry for this type of work and my support in doing the work. They are willing to challenge what was the status quo. They are willing to question, “Why?” I am now looking for data that proves that the PLC will advance student learning.
After writing the implementation report, I think that the biggest task I have is to create a framework that provides the teachers with consistency. Some of our tasks cannot be predicted, but I know that some of what we do should be regular tasks/reflections. I have a standard agenda that is used for each meeting and I am trying to keep it focused to our needs. In round 2, I need to make sure that my colleagues are not overwhelmed. I can do this by staying focused on what we need to do and sifting through what we want to do – together.
Interested in my progress? Follow me on Twitter @MJennings2015