Krahn Elementary Named National Model PLC School

Congratulations to Krahn Elementary, recently named a National Model PLC School by Solution Tree, on its recognition for the From “Me” to “We”: The Krahn Journey to GREATNESS program.

“It feels great to be recognized for all of the hard work the staff has put in to changing the culture here at Krahn,” said Principal Frank Ward. “They deserve the recognition for being willing and ready to make some changes.”

Krahn began its evolution into a modern-day PLC school during the spring 2014–15 semester when PLC became a focal point for change, renewal, and growth. Administration and staff recognized several opportunities for improvement related to culture, specific ways to maximize student growth, and improvement and improving the capacity of all instructional agents.

New strategies were implemented to help leadership answer three important questions:

How can we alter the PLC culture?

How can we target student growth more effectively?

How can we maximize teacher capacity?

With these discussions came three PLC practices that the school implemented:

Monitoring student learning on a timely basis.

Staff took on a “your student is my student is our student” approach to look at student performance and growth where teachers and administrators worked cooperatively to construct SMART goals in which students are identified as on track, needing intervention, or needing intensive intervention.

2. Creating systems of intervention to provide students with additional time and support for learning:

Cardinal Flight Time was created to address the needs of all learners. This designated intervention period occurs for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon where all teachers provide small group instruction to assigned students.

3. Building teacher capacity to work as members of high performing collaborative teams that focus efforts on improved learning for all students.

Krahn created its own shared vision and set in motion a plan to achieve that vision. They organized collaborative teams, grade level teams, school-wide vertical teams and more to help staff develop strategic goals and implement them effectively.

“Without collaboration from all stakeholders at our campus, none of these goals could have been achieved,” said Ward. “Teachers and staff have become comfortable sharing experiences, both positive and negative, so that we can all learn to improve our craft.”

Read more about the Krahn From “Me” to “We”: The Krahn Journey to GREATNESS here: http://www.allthingsplc.info/evidence/details/id,1144