Alternative Professional Learning

Several strategies may be utilized to effectively create an atmosphere where it is comfortable for the teachers to work with and share ideas with colleagues. We use the first 10-15 minutes of the meeting to go around and share what's currently working and not working in the classroom. The objective is to inspire others by sharing your successful strategy and opening the conversation to solve the challenges together. We will have quick presentations.  Teachers take 5-minute turns sharing a strategy, activity, or resource that has worked well in their classroomThe objective is to inspire others by sharing your successful strategy and opening the conversation to solve the challenges together. We will have quick presentations.  Teachers take 5-minute turns sharing a strategy, activity, or resource that has worked well in their classroom. The objective is to introduce new ideas with multiple approaches to teachers briefly. We will establish small groups and devise at least three concrete, practical solutions to a teacher's challenge. The aim here is to facilitate collaborative problem-solving and generate valuable ideas. Also, each educator brings in one resource, book, or tool that worked for them in their teaching and shared it with the group. The objective is to build a shared library of valuable resources. Other activities that we will take into account would be those mentioned below.

 

Shared Feedback Circle: Teachers bring a lesson plan or example of student work and share it with the group. Each team member offers constructive feedback following a structure: first, something positive, and then, a suggestion for improvement. Objective: Promote continuous improvement in a supportive environment the intention is to provide practical, constructive feedback regarding teaching practice in real time.
Specific Feedback Workshop: Teachers learn specific constructive feedback techniques, such as the “feedback sandwich” (positive comment, area for improvement, positive comment). They then practice giving feedback using these approaches. The objective is to teach teachers how to give and receive feedback effectively.
Celebrate Team Accomplishments:  At the end of the PLC meeting, we will have a small, short ceremony where we give the teachers certificates or symbolic awards for their accomplishments, such as introducing new strategies that worked or improving some field in the classrooms.
Sample of some possible rewards:

• Innovator of the Month" for trying a new technique.

• Inspirational Teacher of the Month" for helping a colleague with his/her challenge.

• Creative of the Month" for an outstanding activity carried out with students.

Team Accomplishment Video. A small video, photos, and videos that compile the most important moments of the team. It's good to add teacher quotations regarding achievements or critical moments of the school year, showing them at a special meeting or the end of the month. The objective is to celebrate more vividly and emotionally reached milestones and achievements.
Victory Cup: We will generate a "victory mug" passed on among teachers. Whoever the teacher receives it will keep it on his desk every week or month for some particular achievement to be decided by him, and he will pass it on to whomever he chooses next month. Goal: To ensure rotation in recognition and continuous celebration of accomplishments throughout the year.