All Things PLC

Effective PLC leaders share seven common practices. These practices have led to sustained success. They are based on techniques that can be applied to any organisation, regardless of size. Learn from these practices and apply them to improve your business. They will help you build a sustainable leadership style for your organisation. They will also help you to become a better leader.

Seven leadership practices that effective PLC leaders share

Effective PLC leaders share seven common practices to build collaborative culture. These practices promote shared learning and reflect the individual and collective responsibility of members. Leaders of PLCs must ensure that they are structured to meet the diverse needs of members. In addition, they must allocate time and space for PLC meetings during school hours.

First, high-functioning PLC leaders establish clear expectations for meetings. Without clarity, teachers’ experience of PLCs can be negative. Meetings may lack focus, meaning, and purpose. Sharing information may also be limited. To ensure that meetings are productive and efficient, leaders must outline a clear process for meetings.

Effective facilitation is another essential component of PLC success. Facilitators can make or break a PLC. Teachers’ experiences are greatly influenced by their facilitators. Many PLCs hire an internal facilitator from within the school. In addition, effective PLCs leverage the leadership of teachers. This process can involve hiring instructional coaches who work to develop teachers’ skills and knowledge.

Second, PLC leaders should ensure that all participants are clear about their purpose. The goal of a PLC is to raise student achievement. This focus can be on a specific subject, or it can be cross-disciplinary. It can focus on literacy or on giving effective feedback. A leader must be clear about the focus of the PLC in order to avoid confusion. Clear communication is critical for high functioning PLCs.

PLCs can be highly effective when teachers work together to investigate instructional practices and develop new strategies to improve student outcomes. Researchers have found that the key to effective PLCs is a shared vision and a collaborative culture. Developing an inquiry mindset is another key element. Having a shared vision and values among the members of a PLC also helps leaders build a culture of trust and collaboration.