Professional learning community

facilitators who guide students by allowing them to take ownership of their learning. Our role as teachers is to equip students with the tools required to work together and individually to solve real world problems. The shifts in education today has changed dramatically. In the past, teachers created their lesson plans and taught in isolation with little contact with other teachers. Today, they are engaging in “job-embedded learning” and collaborating in teams to improve student achievement.…

program, a great deal of time has been spent presenting how to be a leader in a professional learning community, where each classroom is an open door for adults and students alike to learn from each other. In order for this atmosphere to exist, the administrator must build a culture of trust where all stakeholders are aware that observations, evaluations, discussions, and collaborations exist to build student success in learning. “The issue of being both an evaluator and a supervisor can be…

When reflecting on my own Personal Learning Network I realized that I rely on a hodge-podge of both people and online resources to aid in my teaching and instruction. First and foremost, I rely heavily on people to enhance my teaching and to aid in lesson planning. I collaborate weekly with the other sixth grade teachers across the district after school one day a week to plan both day to day lessons and to plan big picture outlines for each quarter. Furthermore, I am the representative for my…

classroom. In the article “Beyond Solo Teaching”, Feiman-Nemser discuss some of the challenges a first-year teacher may face and the importance of assigning a mentor teacher. I agree with Feiman-Nemser’s view of incorporating and fostering a professional learning community in the mentor process. As stated in the article, an occasional check-in does not provide a first-year teacher with the feedback or growth required to be successful in…

My educational philosophy is rooted in the idea that students learn from doing while using tangible, real-life materials and experiences, and should be engaged in opportunities to experiment and question the world around them. Classroom learnings are complimented with thought out educational field trips to deepen the students’ connections. Additionally, we recognize the importance of family time, thus at home activities replaced the traditional homework ditto sheets and are simply an extension…

in 2012. Our organization is a non-profit that supports and empowers educators and communities, particularly, those in underserved areas, to facilitate meaningful making and learning experiences with youth. Our Vision, every child is a “Maker”. Our Mission, to create more opportunities for all young people to develop confidence, creativity, and interest in science, technology, engineering, math, art, and learning as a whole through making (Makered.org, 2016). Values. We currently focus on five…

The importance of community service has been interlaced into the majority of the nursing classes I have had at the bachelor’s level and the master’s level of education. Being active in community service has been presented as a cornerstone of my nursing career in the work place as a leader within my organization. I am learning now that being involved in community service holds true for the nurse educator as well. Dawson & Freed (2008), state that “professional nurses have a commitment to…

I have always been a community engaged scholar, maybe not in the actual program, but in the spirt of the program. I have always loved being in the community and learning and helping with what needs to be done. Being part of this program, I believe will help me to be able to find avenues for this passion and give me the resources and ability to do these things in my chosen field. I have had multiple opportunities to be an engaged member of the community, including volunteering and fundraising…

school students have taken the community service requirement to court. Recent years have found to bring about the requirement of community service for high school graduation. Responses this has been a mixed bag. Sarah Sparks arguing in the article, Community Service Requirements Seen to Reduce Volunteering, that community service reduces long term volunteering. Whereas Robert Grimm and Suzanne Goldsmith, in the articles, The Health Benefits of Volunteering, and, The Community Is Their Textbook:…

Experience (FULE) has enabled students to learn community service and gain practical life and career experience living in St. Paul’s historic Frogtown neighborhood. The FULE House provides housing for up to six Bethel students each year, all of whom regularly attend Urban Homeworks Seminars and participate in weekly community engagement. The experience also requires students to take Intentional Urban Living, through which they explore the meaning of community and the unique issues that arise in…