Professional Learning Community

White River School District staff members have been working to change the way we look at teaching and learning. Our goal is to shape the White River School District into one of the top performing and functioning districts in the state and nation. We believe one of the best ways to accomplish this is by focusing on student learning in staff teams called Professional Learning Communities. National data and research strongly supports this strategy.  The model for our PLC process is based on the work of Dufour, Dufour and Eaker.  In most schools across the state and nation, teachers work in isolation, behind closed doors, without the opportunity to collaborate with their peers. We are changing that culture through this process.

Beginning in the 2007-08 school year, we implemented a one-hour late-start time every Monday. During this common time, our teachers meet in grade level or department teams. Their work during this time is strictly dedicated to examining student work, developing common assessments and collaborating on instructional strategies. Using student data, they also work to design additional time and support for students who need it, and enrichment for students who already 'get it'.  In White River we made a commitment to our school board, staff, students and community that this time would be used to improve student learning, and our state test scores have reflected that commitment.

We typically open our buildings several mornings each year, for other educators.  

 

October 2023-Full

February 2024-Full