This document describes Dr. Marci Shepard's presentation to the Orting School District about professional learning communities (PLCs) in 2010-2011. It outlines the key steps in establishing a successful PLC, including building the foundation, developing collaborative teams, focusing on learning, giving extra time and support, focusing on results, and striving for continuous improvement. Teachers then worked in groups to unpack and discuss different "checkpoints" or stages along the journey of developing a PLC.

1. Journey of a PLC
Dr. Marci Shepard
Teacher University
Orting School District
2010-2011
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

2. Welcome
Stand by Me
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-
TVg40ExM
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

3. A Picture of Our Day of
Learning
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

4. It is what you do that
matters, not what you call it
Page 39, #9
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

5. Your Definitions of a PLC
• Read the definitions we wrote on
October 8th
• By yourself: Select one that stands
out to you
• With a partner: Share the definition
you chose and why
• With the table group: Partners share
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011
one definition they chose and why

6. The Journey of a PLC is a
COMPLEX and NON-LINEAR
endeavor
• Simple checklist
• Recipe
• Getting to the next stop in a prescribed order to
reach the destination
• Rigid timetables
• Step-by-step directions you must adhere to
Orting School District

7. Analogy
There is no one right way to drive from Seattle
to New York.
 Different routes and speeds depending on
variables
 Who is in the car
 Leisurely pace or stop and confirm directions frequently
vs. proceeding with urgency
 Northern route vs. southern route
 But there are at least two requirements to get
there:
 Start Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011
the engine and put the car in drive

8. Analogy
There are no shortcuts or easy
routes to take.
Anticipate occasional storms
and roadblocks.
But the purpose of the journey –
higher levels of learning for all
students and adults – is
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

9. A Roadmap
 It is easier to get from Point A to Point B if we
know where Point B is
 Simply knowing where we are isn’t good
enough
 A map can help us see where we are, identify
our next stop and help us see progress
MapQuest
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

10. G.B. Jones
 Break the long and
difficult journey into it’s
component parts – “stops
along the way.”
 “I find it easier to go up
the trail focused on just
getting to the next
checkpoint, rather than
the final destination.”
The roadmapOrting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011
Dr. Marci Shepard 
can help us

11. Charting Our Course
The Journey of a
Professional Learning
Community
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

12. What is a
Professional Learning
Community?
 What is a
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

13. Why Establish a PLC?
 What is a PLC? Why establish a

Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

14. Build the Foundation for a PLC
 Build the
 What is a PLC? Why establish a
 foundation for a PLC
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

15. Build Collaborative Teams
 Build collaborative
teams
 Build the
 What is a PLC? Why establish a
 foundation for a PLC
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

16. Focus on Learning
 Focus on learning
 Build collaborative
teams
 Build the
 What is a PLC? Why establish a
 foundation for a PLC
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

17. Give Extra Time and Support
 Give extra time and
support
 Focus on learning
 Build collaborative
teams
 Build the
 What is a PLC? Why establish a
 foundation for a PLC
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

18. Focus on Results
 Focus on results
 Give extra time and
support
 Focus on learning
 Build collaborative
teams
 Build the
 What is a PLC? Why establish a
 foundation for a PLC
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

19. Strive for Continuous
Improvement
 Strive for continuous
 Focus on
improvement results
 Give extra time and
support
 Focus on learning
 Build collaborative
teams
 Build the
 What is a PLC? Why establish a
 foundation for a PLC
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

20. Strive for Continuous
Improvement
 Strive for continuous
 Focus on
improvement results
 Give extra time and
support
 Focus on learning
 Build collaborative
teams
 Build the
 What is a PLC? Why establish a
 foundation for a PLC
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

21. Break
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

22. Group yourselves into teams of
15 people (6 groups total)
Bring your book Learning by Doing with
you.
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

23. Unpack and Share “Checkpoints”
on the Journey
 Your team will be given one
“checkpoint” on the Journey of a
PLC
 Unpack the “checkpoint”
 Share with the whole group what
you discovered on your excursion
(not more than 5 minutes)
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

24. Unpacking “Checkpoints" on the
Journey
• Clarify WHAT each student is expected to learn
(including alignment and pacing)
• Monitor each student’s learning through frequent
COMMON, FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS
• Identify students who need EXTRA TIME AND
SUPPORT (compile and analyze data from common
assessments)
• DISCUSS RESULTS from common assessments
(identify strengths and weaknesses in student learning to
plan next steps; share effective instructional practices;
identify team’s PD needs; refine lessons, assessment
and pacing guide)
• Working interdependently to achieve COMMON GOALS
for which teams are mutually accountable for (SMART
goals)
Orting School District
• ProvideMarci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching,students who didn’t
Dr. timely INTERVENTION for Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

25. Lunch
After lunch, please sit at
the table that has the
postcard with your name
on it.
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

26. Welcome Back!
Please sit at the table that
has the postcard with your
name on it.
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

27. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8d_Irr
a0yI&feature=related
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

28. Teams Self-Assess and
Determine Next Steps
• Where are you on your journey?
• What are your next steps?
• Where will you be traveling to for
collaboration today?
• Please leave your information on the
back of your postcard before you go.
Please be back here and ready to report out at
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011

29. Wrap-Up
• Groups report out on what they worked
on
• Feedback
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wldc
HwwRHKg
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaLBr
IZFP68
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning and Assessment  2010-2011