As a GEAR UP facilitator and future instructional leader, I’m committed to collaborating with campus decision-makers to develop more effective, collaborative professional learning. I've created an Alternative PL Plan Outline to guide this effort, aiming to empower teachers, foster meaningful learning environments, and promote a growth mindset culture. My goal is for us to inspire action and model success,
The Power of Us:
Rethinking Professional Learning at Donna High School
Purpose:
To build instructional leaders' capacity to guide, coach, and support teachers in creating tech-enhanced, student-centered learning environments aligned with your innovation plan.
Objectives:
Instructional leaders will –
*Understand the principles behind your innovation plan and how it transforms learning.
*Learn how to model, coach, and support tech-integrated, significant learning environments.
*Develop tools and strategies to monitor implementation and celebrate progress.
*Cultivate a culture of growth, feedback, and continuous improvement.
When educators collaborate, ideas grow stronger, practices improve, and student outcomes rise.
Plans to Foster Collaboration
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Form a PL Design Team
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Use a co-planning protocol
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Develop the 3-column table collaboratively
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Use collaborative digital tools
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Co-presenting
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Create a shared calendar and checkpoints
Key Components:
The 5 Principles of Effective PL
01
Duration: Ongoing support
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Monthly PLCs or coaching check-ins
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Digital collaboration hub (resource sharing + discussion)
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Embedded tech support
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Leader/teacher spotlight features
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Shared tracking of progress and reflections
02
Teacher Support: Implementation Stage
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Instructional Coaching
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Collaborative Planning Time
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PLC’s
03
Engaging Teacher Exposure: ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT
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Problem-based scenarios
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Hands-on practice
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Gallery Walks
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Think, pair, share
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Choice and voice
04
Modeling is highly effective in helping teachers understand a new practice.
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Live classroom demonstrations
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Video examples of real lessons
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Role-playing during PL sessions
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Instructional leaders modeling strategies during team planning
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Co-teaching a lesson with a coach or mentor
05
Content/Grade level specific
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Discipline-Specific Breakouts- Create content sessions for ELA, math, science, social studies, CTE, etc., focusing on subject-specific strategies tied to GEAR UP goals.
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Grade-Level Planning Protocols - Provide planning tools and protocols aligned to the unique challenges of 11th grade (e.g., SAT prep, TSI support, college application conversations, academic rigor).
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Post-Secondary readiness focus - Integrate sessions on advising strategies, student motivation, FAFSA knowledge, college-going culture, and dual credit readiness.
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Use real data—Include real student performance, attendance, or goal-setting data to make discussions actionable and relevant.
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Student voice integration - Bring in 11th-grade student panels, reflections, or profiles to ground the work in authentic learner needs.
Our Team.
As instructional leaders, it is our responsibility to contribute to a culture of lifelong learning, not just for our students, but for our teachers and ourselves! Together we can positively impact the development of our teachers with a bank of collective ideas and contributions. We all have something special to contribute, each of us can provide valuable insight into producing stronger professional learning strategies that show that we are all willing to grow and improve together. Let's role up our sleeves and connect to build brighter outcomes for our everyone!
Leading by example: What We Do With Teachers, They’ll Do For Students
The Path to Progress
The Path to Change begins with a deep understanding of both the innovation plan and the professional learning (PL) goals that support it. For change to take root, educators and leaders must be equipped to confidently articulate the vision and clearly see how PL connects to student outcomes and school priorities. This journey requires more than just knowledge—it calls for strong leadership and facilitation skills, the ability to foster collaboration and meaningful dialogue, and practical tools aligned with innovation goals. From walkthrough guides and feedback protocols to strategic planning templates, leaders need resources that support teacher growth, not just evaluation. Managing change also means nurturing a culture where risk-taking is celebrated, resistance is addressed with empathy, and mindset shifts are intentionally supported. As data becomes a driving force, leaders must be empowered to use it effectively—to guide decisions, measure impact, and communicate progress. Most importantly, ongoing support and clear communication with mentors and campus leadership ensure no one walks this path alone. Change is complex, but with the right tools, mindset, and vision, it becomes possible—and sustainable.
Clear Understanding of the Innovation Plan and PL Goals
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To confidently articulate the vision and purpose of professional learning
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To connect PL activities directly to student outcomes and school priorities
Strategies for Managing Change and Building a Collaborative Culture
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Techniques for overcoming resistance and supporting mindset shifts
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Approaches to celebrate successes and normalize experimentation and risk-taking
Leadership and Facilitation Skills
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Training on how to effectively lead PLCs, coaching cycles, and collaborative sessions
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Strategies to foster engagement, collaboration, and productive dialogue among teachers
Data Literacy and Use
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Skills to analyze student and teacher data to inform PL adjustments
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Ways to measure impact and communicate progress to stakeholders
Tools and Protocols for Supporting Teachers
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Walkthrough observation guides aligned to innovation goals
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Feedback and reflection protocols that promote growth, not evaluation
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Planning templates and resources tailored to content areas and grade levels
Ongoing Support and Communication
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Access to coaching or mentoring for their leadership role
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Clear communication channels with district or campus leadership for resources and problem-solving
Designing Learning
That Works
BHAG:
Instructional leaders will empower 11th-grade teachers to design and facilitate content-specific, student-centered, and technology-integrated learning experiences that foster deep engagement and prepare students for academic and postsecondary success by modeling the same process in professional learning.
With a clear plan and a shared vision, we won’t just change outcomes—we’ll change lives.
By aligning professional learning with school priorities, building leadership capacity, and fostering a culture of collaboration, we lay the foundation for lasting impact. When educators are equipped, supported, and united in purpose, meaningful change becomes not only possible—but transformational.