Professional Learning

ELITE’s objective is to build capacity and teacher leadership for MLs through research-practice partnerships that are responsive, routinized, and relational. To foster these type of partnerships, we work collaboratively with our partnering districts to (1) develop a PLC model for ongoing, job-embedded professional learning for educators, (2) embed the PLC model into schools’ normative structure and daily practice, and (3) formalize the target instructional practices for MLs by integrating them into the district-wide literacy curriculum.

Our Reflective Professional Learning Community (PLC) Model

Teachers participate in a year-long job-embedded professional learning cycle through a Reflective PLC Model. The Reflective PLC model developed through this project integrates peer collaboration, practitioner reflection, and teacher-driven action planning to support teachers in apply research to their practice. Through ongoing, job-embedded support, teachers increase their knowledge of how to: (1) address the language and literacy needs of MLs, (2) implement evidence-based instructional practices, and (3) skillfully enhance their practice based on knowledge gained from a reflection-action practice. The figure on the right shows the key components of the fully developed model.

Collaborative Knowledge-Building through PLCs

Following initial kick-off training sessions, educators implement the evidence-based practices they learned about, receive coaching, and participate in collaborative grade-level PLC meetings. The goals of the PLC meetings are to foster teacher leadership, self-reflection, and collaborative planning to improve teaching for MLs. During PLC Meetings, we worked collaboratively with teachers to:

• create relational spaces in which all members feel comfortable examining successes and challenges encountered in their teaching practice.
• problem-solve collaboratively around implementation challenges.
• develop a reflection-action practice.
• set goals and collaboratively plan next steps. continuously assess progress toward goals and build capacity for continued success.

Practitioner Voices/Testimonials

“Project ELITE’s approach to professional development was like a stair stepping your way to success. Little pieces at a time so that it wasn’t overwhelming. I get overwhelmed very easily, but y’all made it successful. I felt successful every single time.”

“Sharing with the team in PLCs was so beneficial. This was very beneficial because I grow best when I’m able to see someone do something or able to see something in their class. I love taking that and making it my own. I love that we were all on the same path and we could all learning from each other at the same time.”

“Project ELEVATE helped me to grow as a teacher and create skills to work on myself and with the students, it gave me the opportunity to know my students and see what skills to work with them and how to provide them feedback as well.”