How did you build a community in a previous meeting or PLC? by Renee Giles

coury_osbourne — 2025-02-25 15:19:50 UTC

I passed out pictures of different hats. People wrote on the pics all the different "hats" they wear. It helped us get to know each other.

District Level

ellen_crum — 2025-02-25 15:20:44 UTC

As a district Academic Program Consultant, I have facilitated meetings between teachers across our district at the same grade level. Each meeting I give teachers a time to share the cool and good things happening in their classrooms and lives.

At district PLCs, each grade has a lead that keeps communication with the teachers in the district. They have a shared folder to share resources.

2025-02-25 15:20:49 UTC

2025-02-25 15:20:55 UTC

Start with celebrations and glows!

Opening meetings with some kind of engagement activity to get them warmed up and talking about something low-risk.

2025-02-25 15:20:58 UTC

We started the year having our grade-level PLCs develop their norms/ collective commitments. We also use team builders frequently to continue building relationship on our teams. This helps them to become more vulnurable as they plan and share data.

2025-02-25 15:21:06 UTC

We are providing time for special class/enrichment teachers to collaborate with content teachers ways they can support the learning in their classrooms.

2025-02-25 15:21:10 UTC

2025-02-25 15:21:11 UTC

Making sure I build in conversation structures, so that teachers are doing the majority of thinking and discussing and it isn't all "leader talk".

2025-02-25 15:21:13 UTC

Create agreed-upon norms for PLCs

Kagan Structures

2025-02-25 15:21:17 UTC

Using and modeling Kagan structures within the PLC promotes collaboration.

2025-02-25 15:21:21 UTC

We always start our PLC's by having each member tell something positive that is going on in their class or in their lives. We then take a minute to celebrate that before we start our meeting.

PLCs

2025-02-25 15:21:23 UTC

I have found that having teachers share in the PLC and take a lead allows them to feel valued. It also allows other teachers to see that if that teacher can do it, so can they!

Collaborate through sharing strategies and new ideas from workshops/PDs

2025-02-25 15:21:26 UTC

We had the first 5 minutes be a "check in" time where teachers could simply share anything they are carrying with them that day. Voice it, know it's valid, then heads are clear and we can move into our work.

2025-02-25 15:21:28 UTC

Staff outings

2025-02-25 15:21:36 UTC

Throughout the year we plan staff outings together for fellowship and fun.

We use Kagan structures to build community.

2025-02-25 15:21:38 UTC

2025-02-25 15:21:51 UTC

Faculty retreat: ask everyone to share something positive about themselves

2025-02-25 15:21:53 UTC

Taking the time to collaboratively craft a set of norms together and committing to them at the beginning of each collaborative session.

2025-02-25 15:21:58 UTC

We have district ELA committees and we always start with positive things happening within the schools.

We include ice breakers to let coworkers get to know more things about one another.

2025-02-25 15:22:08 UTC

In our district we committed to anytime we have a group of 4 or more in a meeting we utilize a team builder. It allows for our people to feel comfortable with one another and fosters a sense of togetherness to tackle the difficult things later.

2025-02-25 15:22:12 UTC

katiewilburn — 2025-02-25 15:22:16 UTC

Glows and Grows to start every meeting

2025-02-25 15:22:26 UTC

We always start by developing our norms together, then each meeting we choose at least one to review and discuss why it is a norm. It sets up every meeting to be efficient and productive - which values everyone time (which we all know is key).

2025-02-25 15:22:28 UTC

Starting with Team Builders, Norms, and Celebrations!

2025-02-25 15:22:29 UTC

I use We Connect cards before meetings, allowing teachers to share their responses before we start the work. It's "Connect before Content."

We have created PLC norms and a mission statement around our work.

2025-02-25 15:22:34 UTC

2025-02-25 15:22:36 UTC

Ensuring there is a designated time to celebrate the learning taking place in each classroom.

Protocol

2025-02-25 15:22:46 UTC

We created a PLC protocol that was based on our school's vision. This created continuity and helped everyone remain focused on our "why."

We just reviewed our norms, and it was so productive. After ten years of common planning, with a focus on literacy, revisiting our foundational pieces was eye-opening.

MrMercerSCMS — 2025-02-25 15:23:22 UTC

Allow time for positives to be shared and don't forget to celebrate your staff too.

2025-02-25 15:23:50 UTC

Working with Matt Treadway and Solution Tree now to identify essential standards, re-evaluate pacing guides, and develop HQIR CFA's.

MrMercerSCMS — 2025-02-25 15:25:16 UTC