Professional Learning
In support of the knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of our school leaders, teachers, and staff, the Manhattan Field Support Center is committed to offering a menu of professional learning opportunities tailored to the expressed needs of our districts. The descriptions below attempt to capture the four types of Professional Learning Opportunities we will be delivering though each MFSC division.
Types of Professional Learning
Turn Key (Train the Trainer)
Turn Key are targeted trainings where participants will learn practical knowledge, skills, and best practices on a given subject. Through modeling, participants will leave with the techniques and resources to return to their buildings and share the content of the PLO with their colleagues.
Critical Friends Groups / Cohort Model
Critical Friends Group describes a type of professional development delivered through formal, ongoing interactions of small cohort or groups strategically assembled around a specific challenge or problem of practice. These strategic groups contribute to the participants’ professional growth and strengthen the school and district’s capacity to function as learning communities (Source: National School Reform Faculty).
Professional Learning Cycles (PLC) / On-Site Support
In collaboration with each district, four schools nominated by Superintendents will take part in the MFSC PLC model. The diagram below and accompanying overview provides a detailed look of our vision for the PLC model based on an instructional problem of practice, however, PLC may also apply to non-instructional problems of practice.
Lab Sites (Highlighting Strong Practices)
Through exploration, site visitations, and deep data analysis, and close collaboration with Districts, the MFSC hopes to highlight strong practices that further student achievement, enhance systems and structures and contribute to success at the district, school leadership and classroom level. These successful discoveries, resources, tools and case studies will be shared throughout the borough to encouraging replication.
