Avon+Grove+School+District

Avon Grove Intermediate School (grades 3 - 6)
 * Our school is part of the Avon Grove School District located in southern Chester County.

Our team members are:


 * Dr. Margaret Sharp, Assistant Superintendent
 * I have had the opportunity to work in the Avon Grove School District since 2006 in the role of Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction. Prior to joining AGSD, I served as a teacher and administrator in both Maryland and Delaware.
 * Pat McKeon, Elementary Instructional Technology Specialist
 * This is my 4th year as an Instructional Technology Specialist in the elementary schools at Avon Grove. I work in both the primary and intermediate buildings, assisting teachers with the integration of technology into their instruction.
 * Monica Mapes, 6th Grade
 * I am currently a sixth grade math and science teacher in the Avon Grove School District. I recently received my Masters Degree in Instructional Technology. I am looking forward to learning many things through the Powerful Learning Practice. I am constantly looking for new ideas and new technologies to include in my classroom and to share with my colleagues. I hope that the cohort will help me to make new connections to my PLN and learn many things.
 * Brian Witt, 4th Grade
 * I am currently in my 5th year teaching at Avon Grove Intermediate School and love teaching 4th grade. I am currently getting my masters in Elementary Ed. from West Chester University. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to make our school and studnets even better and ready for the 21st century.
 * Debbie Parker, Media Specialist
 * I've been a library media specialist in the Avon Grove schools for 18 plus years. I'm excited to be implementing a new approach to information literacy instruction for our building this year.

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**Action Research Project - Template**
//We want to be able to share and post your Action Research Projects on the PLP website so that others may learn from you. We want to brag on you! We will be making web pages from these projects, so to make the projects a little more uniform and easier to flip through we are asking that you fill out this form. Don't worry - it's not nearly as daunting as it looks. This is meant to be a snapshot of your project with artifacts and links should a reader wish to dig deeper into your research.//

//For your convenience we have copied and pasted this information into your school's team page. Please delete the directions that are *in asterisks* once you are finished.//

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**Team members: Monica Mapes, Brian Witt, Pat McKeon, Debbie Parker, Margie Sharp** =====

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//Our project explores the needs for our professional staff. We will work to build a professional learning community within all grade levels. The teachers will be using 21st Century Skills to guide their own professional development and embrace these skills in their teaching strategies.// =====

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//We ask our teachers to instruct the students to become 21st Century learners, but do not show the teachers how to do this. By building a professional learning community, the teachers will become lifelong 21st Century learners, have resources to aid in their instructional practices, and include these resources in their teaching.// =====

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//As a team we wanted to restructure the professional development for our school. We are working with administration to create various professional learning communities for staff to continue their learning with others and improve the quality of instruction for the students. As we build these communities, teachers will create their own values and norms and be able to choose from various topics.// =====

**Implementation Plan**

 * //Brainstorming with PLP team//
 * //Joining together with the teacher leaders of the school to share a vision of PLCs.//
 * //Use PLC strategies and formats to structure professional development for the staff.//
 * //June of 2011: share the PLC vision with the entire staff and start gathering ideas for 2011-2012 school year.//
 * //August 2011: Module 1: guided introduction to PLCs//
 * //November 2011: Module 2: Creation of small PLCs focused on specific topics//
 * //March 2012: Module 3: Self selected PLCs are formed to increase level of instruction and learning.//
 * //June 2012: Evaluate progress of 2011-2012 school year.//