Collegial Circles
CLV’s new look at
Professional Development
Agenda
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Why the need for change?
What are the benefits of collegial circles?
What’s a collegial circle?
How does it work: big picture
When will we have time?
What’s our focus?
Action Steps
What if?
One last request
Why the need for change?
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The PD Survey last spring showed a
need for and interest in…
– More purpose and meaning to in-service
days
– More focus on what WE feel WE need to
have time to work on
– More time to work on enhancing our
instruction
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Enhanced instruction by teacher =
better learning by students
Benefits of Collegial Circles
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We
We
We
We
We
choose what we work on
get time to work on it
work cooperatively with colleagues
display our work
learn something meaningful
What’s a collegial circle?
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Small group of learners (3-7)
Engaged in their own professional
development
Gather to support each other's
learning
When will we have time?
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Scheduled during portions of
Superintendent Days and District Days
Depending on scope, projects may be
carried over for two years
How does it work: Big Picture
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Generate ideas for a circle
Gather “like minds” to form circle
Meet this spring to formalize a circle
for 2012-2013
Choose a contact member
Meet regularly next year to work on
focus
Prepare a presentation of what your
circle learned
Sample Ideas for Collegial Circles
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Middle School Math and Phys. Ed. teachers
finding ways to integrate mathematical
concepts (angles, degrees, etc.) into gym
games
Nurses developing reference sheets for
teachers to learn more about the medical
conditions that affect our student population
Social Studies and English teachers
collaborating on writing tasks and
instructional techniques
More Sample Ideas
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High School English department developing
4 year research paper/presentation design
Interim Assessment design (all grade
levels/subject areas)
Grant research/writing
Technology-based instruction (learning how
to use SMART products)
Math teachers collating websites and
programs that reinforce basic math skills for
student use/enrichment
Yet More Sample Ideas
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Math and Science teachers demonstrating
favored calculation, formula-writing, and
graphing techniques---and then finding a
method to implement consistently
Grades 6, 7, 8 ELA teachers using state test
data to create AIS curriculum
High School English department developing
4 year research paper/presentation design
Music teachers learning new software for
recording and composition
Science teachers collaborating on lab
procedures and reports
Not Collegial Circles…
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Writing your lesson plans for the
upcoming week
Making unit tests or photocopying
worksheets
Grading:
tests/projects/portfolios/papers
Organizing/cleaning classrooms
Budget planning
Action Step #1: Groups of 4-5
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Come up with a list of possible PD
ideas for 2012-2013
List your ideas on chart paper
Post your chart on the wall
Action Step #2: Gallery Walk
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Walk around and take a look at all the
PD options
On your yellow paper, write down a
list of PD ideas you’re interested in.
Before you leave, hand in your sheet
Email Brian with other ideas
PD Committee will send a list of
teachers & interests to all
Action Step #3: Finalize Groups
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Contact people (3-7) who are
interested in similar ideas. Decide
whether your focus can be met and if
you can work together.
Action Step #4: Paperwork
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Name a contact person: in charge of
communication with principal and
Brian about meeting times/locations
Complete the CC Application
Forms posted on Curriculum Website
When will we have time?
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Scheduled during portions of
Superintendent Days and District Days
Depending on scope, projects may be
carried over for two years
One last request…
We ask that you be patient and open-minded
with this new process of professional
development. We tried to work with all the
concerns around the need for a renewed PD
program. We hope that with the collegial
circles, professional development becomes
more purposeful and meaningful to each
individual – and our students ultimately
benefit. The only thing you need to do is your
part!