Reviving Professional Learning Communities

A Professional Learning Community is undeniably one of the most effective processes out there for improving student achievement, as well a school’s overarching culture and climate. With such widespread notoriety, though, there has been a dilution of the true essence of the term. Understanding of what a Professional Learning Community is varies from one district to another, from one school to another, even from one educator to another. It’s about time for a resurrection. Reviving Professional Learning Communities does exactly that through the lens of a simple framework called, the 4S Approach. This new development helps practitioners build thriving learning communities through: (1) recognition and validation of each staff member’s unique points of view, (2) natural conflict that accompanies the assorted viewpoints, (3) healthy teamwork, and (4) effective systems. Sprinkled throughout the book are also 32 practical, high-leverage strategies that are easy to understand and simple to put into practice right away. This book will most certainly help answer the perennial question: How do we achieve a genuine Professional Learning Community?

From three experts in PLCs comes some sage advice about the meaning of Professional Learning Communities and the strategies for attaining them. It is in the latter endeavor, strategies, that these three authors make their most important contribution to the literature on school leadership. It is easy to tell you that you must establish teamwork, for instance, but much more difficult to give you real, practical suggestions for doing so. They have accomplished this in spades. A must read for all principals and aspiring school leaders., In this era of innovation and accountability, it is critical for our educational leaders to develop expert skills in forming professional learning teams. Ultimately, this work translates into a clearer sense of mission, more effective methods of delivery in the classroom and stronger educational programs for our students.  Reviving Professional Learning Communities is the right blend of research, practice and personal experience by the authors.  A strong understanding of the four elements of Standpoint, Struggle, Solidarity, and Structure provides a great framework to move a professional team from theory to practice.  This work provides practical steps for implementation and should be an essential addition to any educator’s professional library.

Perry P. Wiseman is currently a director for the Los Angeles County Office of Education, working closely with principals and teachers reaching at-risk students who fall through the cracks in the public educational system. He is former school principal, founder of the educational consulting firm WiseFoundations (www.wisefoundations.com), and author of the book, Strong Schools, Strong Leaders.Hector Arroyo, Jr. works at Western University Health Sciences in Pomona as a Learning Skills Specialist. In this position he collaborates with administration, faculty, and mentors to help graduate students overcome the challenges of medical school.Nicholas R. Richter is a high school principal with 13 years of experience in education. He started his educational career as a high school mathematics teacher. Nick successfully found ways to relate a difficult subject to students and even had a little fun doing it.