PLC Journey
What does PLC stand for, and why is it important in an IB school?
Professional Learning Community
Name two elements of the IB Learner Profile.
Any...Inquirer, Communicator, Caring, Principled,
True or False: Collaboration is optional in a PLC.
False – it's foundational.
What is the purpose of reflective practice for teachers?
To improve instruction, adapt to learners, and deepen understanding of pedagogy.
What is one professional goal for next year?
Open-ended – E.g., lead a PLC, mentor a colleague, improve ATL alignment.
Name the three phases of collaborative meetings we followed this year.
Phase One: Orientation & Inquiry
Phase Two: Implementation
Phase Three: Reflection & Improvement
What’s the difference between formative and summative assessment?
Formative: Ongoing feedback; Summative: Final judgment of achievement.
Who did you collaborate with this year to co-plan or co-teach a unit?
Open-ended – Head of secondary, MYPC, colleague or cross-disciplinary partner.
Which stage of PLC growth are you currently in?
Open-ended – Pre-initiation, Initiation, Implementation, Developing, Sustaining.
What support do you need from leadership or peers to achieve it?
E.g., Coaching, co-teaching, resources, scheduled planning time.
What was one milestone your team reached during Phase Two?
Co-created unit plans, ATL integration, Using formative data to adjust instruction.
Which document outlines reflection’s role in MYP teaching and learning?
MYP: From Principles into Practice.
What made that collaboration successful or challenging?
Open-ended – Communication, trust, planning time, or support.
What teaching strategy have you improved this year?
Open-ended – e.g., inquiry cycles, formative feedback, questioning techniques.
Suggest one way to improve PLC meetings.
E.g., Rotating facilitation, focused themes, sharing best practices.
Share a challenge your group faced during PLC work—and how you overcame it.
Open-ended
Time constraints, differing philosophies, or unclear roles
Share one strategy you used to integrate ATL skills in your unit.
Goal-setting tools, peer feedback, and Socratic seminars for communication
Share one example where collaboration improved student learning.
E.g., Interdisciplinary projects, Out-of-school trip, Creating rubrics, team feedback strategies
How has feedback shaped your practice this year?
Open-ended – May include formal observations, peer coaching, or student reflections.
What would you change in our collaborative meetings?
E.g., Add reflection time, use protocols, or include student voice.
The differences between a professional learning community from a traditional staff meeting or professional development session.
PLCs emphasize ongoing collaboration, inquiry, and reflection focused on improving student learning, whereas traditional meetings often focus on administrative tasks or one-time training sessions.
How does your subject group promote international-mindedness?
Through global contexts, inquiry into real-world issues, and diverse perspectives.
What would enhance collaboration next year?
E.g., Structured time, shared tools, leadership modeling, clearer protocols, or distributive leadership
How has your understanding of IB principles evolved?
Open-ended – Could mention ATL, concept-based learning, learner agency.
Envision a thriving PLC—what does it look like next year?
Open-ended – Shared vision, active engagement, visible impact on learners.