Instructional leaders and coaches are in an excellent position to positively impact instruction, classroom culture, and even positive behavior through the development and/or facilitation of professional learning opportunities for teachers. That said, identifying, creating, and implementing professional learning activities for educators can take weeks and sometimes months. It’s also challenging to align learning activities to current initiatives and ensure the application of new learning. With the varied responsibilities instructional leaders and coaches encounter, they often don’t have the time or resources to search for or create from scratch job-embedded professional development opportunities. Then, consider the fact that face-to-face professional learning may not be possible and educators may require smaller bites of learning delivered asynchronously. It all sounds quite daunting.
Enter the Professional Learning Activity Template! This PLA template provides the structure and consideration of adult learning methods needed to engage teachers in growth, application, and reflection. Activities can be used for asynchronous, online learning or as a component of hybrid learning. Check out these PLA examples focused on behavior.
PLA: Setting High Expectations with Routines
This PLA is about setting high expectations with routines as a positive and proactive method of behavior support. The activity introduces the idea of a “Do Now” procedure providing learners a purpose as soon as they are greeted by the teacher and enter the classroom.
Focused on respect, this PLA teaching respectful talk encourages teachers to support student use of accountable talk during academic discussions. Use of these methods can improve classroom community, increase social skills, and deepen learning.
Now it’s your turn. Use this Teaching Channel PLA Template to create your own Professional Learning Activity for a positive impact!
About the Author
Keely Keller is the Director of Professional Programs for Teaching Channel in Eagan, Minnesota. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from St. Cloud State University, a Master’s of Arts in Education from Hamline University, and additional Director of Special Education and Principal Licensures from the University of Minnesota. Before joining Teaching Channel, Keely served students with special needs as a teacher and Special Education Coordinator in a suburban Minnesota school district. Keely has years of experience working with new teachers.
Fun fact: Keely loves to go camping in her travel trailer with family and friends.
