Checklist: Professional Development for Learning Teams

Instructions: Working individually, identify your team’s professional development needs by selecting one to three items from each of the following lists. Then, use the reflection questions at the end of this template as a guide for a team conversation about professional development priorities.

Team Name: Teacher Name (optional):

My team needs immediate support in . . .

Team-Based Collaboration Skills

Developing team norms and protocols Determining how group conversations and meetings are structured Determining how violations of team norms are addressed Determining how the results of the team’s work are recorded Conducting effective conversations Finding common ground and working toward consensus Depersonalizing discussions of curricular, assessment, and instructional practices Finding ways to celebrate and sustain the efforts of our learning team Building trust between colleagues Setting goals and reflecting on results

Uncovering hidden disagreements Embracing conflict as an opportunity for continued growth Using protocols to set priorities Conducting team-based, self-directed action research or lesson study Amplifying “lessons learned” across our entire grade level or department Understanding the characteristics of adult learners and continuing education

Other:

Skills for Instructional Reflection

Identifying required state and district curricular expectations Prioritizing learning objectives based on an understanding of our students Designing a logical sequence for addressing required elements of the curriculum Understanding the difference between formative and summative assessment Connecting assessments to specific learning goals Measuring higher-order-thinking skills

Developing performance-based assessments Using data collection and analysis tools to track progress by student and by standard Developing discussion protocols for conversations related to data Identifying common areas of student mastery and misunderstanding Understanding the unique characteristics of both low and high achievers Defining strategies and identifying tools for differentiating lesson plans Investigating the relationships between instructional practices and student learning outcomes Developing protocols for lesson study, action research, and peer observations

Other:

Questions for Reflection

What patterns can you spot in the professional development needs identified by the individual members of your learning team? Are there individual skills that were identified as a need by multiple members of your team? What were they?

Does your team need more support with team-based collaboration skills or with skills for instructional reflection? Why?

What steps can you take to get the support that you need in order to improve your collaborative skill set? Who will you reach out to for help? When will you act?

Source: Adapted from Graham, P., & Ferriter, W. M. (2010). Building a Professional Learning Community at Work: A guide to the first year. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.