What are Professional Learning Teams?

Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) are small teams of teachers who meet together regularly to collaboratively learn, investigate, develop, and implement research-based teacher practices.

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What do teams look like?

Teams may form around grade levels, disciplines, topics, interdisciplinary teams, or other criteria your faculty identifies. The optimum number varies, but teams should be small enough so that all team members can have substantial input during meetings. Three to five members usually work well together.

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What do team members do?

Effective learning teams share five characteristics described by Garmston and Wellman in The Adaptive School, (1999).

• Teachers establish shared norms and values that spell out the expectations and interpersonal skills team members will practice.
• Team members focus collectively on student learning. The work of the learning team may include such activities as studying research-based practices in specific instructional areas, planning and implementing new strategies, examining student work, working together to modify strategies, and documenting the team's work.
• Team members regularly engage in reflective dialogue about instruction and how to accomplish needed results.
• Teachers collaborate on a regular, ongoing basis. During team meetings teachers share perspectives and expertise, and develop a feeling of mutual support and shared responsibility for effective instruction.
• Teachers "teach out loud." That is, they deprivatize their practice and bring it into the open. Team members visit one other's classrooms, act as peer coaches and mentors, and problem-solve together. Teams share their work and findings with other teams and interested parties.

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What does Professional Learning Team training involve?

Training components are selected and tailored for each school. SERVE staff will

• Conduct an analysis of training needs. This up-front analysis is used to determine training components and modifications needed for each school.
• Introduce Professional Learning Teams. This work session includes a research-based rationale and description of the learning team process.
• Organize Professional Learning Teams. This engages staff in planning and organizing learning teams in a manner best suited for the school.
• Train teachers in establishing and conducting successful meetings. This training provides teachers with information, assistance, and tools for implementing and sustaining productive learning teams.
• Prepare facilitators to support learning teams. This provides facilitators with skills and assistance in sustaining learning team success and momentum.

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