Richard Dufour (1947–2017)

DuFour, as the earliest proponent and instigator of the PLC process, has a lot invested in its success. It's refreshing how dismissive of previous reform movements he is, drawing the ultimate conclusion that successful teachers are successful collaborators, and that a school that follows the PLC process with fidelity will see large gains in student achievement.

While I generally agree with these conclusions, they are just a piece in the puzzle. Often times what ends up happening is that good teachers often have to prop up the weaker or less experienced teachers in their PLCs. And while this often times leads to passing knowledge and best practices on to colleagues, it is difficult to get to the point where true interdependence is established - the more knowledgeable teachers end up doing more of the work.

These are really just minor critiques - overall I appreciate the effort to put more of the impetus for educational reform back in the hands of school leaders and teachers - people actually working in schools.… (mehr)

This trio has toured the U.S. for a decade teaching the idea of professional learning communities and learning from both research and experiences on the ground. Even better, they are “library friendly,” as they recognize the benefits of teacher librarians as active participants in the serious discussion of educational excellence. This volume brings together their reflections from a decade on the essential components of what a professional learning community does, how it succeeds, and how it makes a major contribution to school improvement. Topics throughout are indicative of their approach: shared mission, collective inquiry into best practice, action orientation, a commitment to continuous improvement, results orientation. If your school has experimented with PLCs or is thinking about it, this is a major and important background read for the teacher librarian who understands how much a central role in the PLC can benefit both the school and the learning commons idea. A must read.… (mehr)