Belleville Hosts PCL Summer Institute
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Recently, the School District of Belleville hosted the first annual Partnerships in Comprehensive Literacy (PCL) Summer Institute. Eleven school districts participated in a three day collaborative conference on how to better our student’s educational experience. The School District of Belleville had 20 representatives attend the conference, where they, like their students, discovered, engaged, and achieved.
The three day conference helped Belleville educators discover how the PCL model can create a new culture built upon embedded professional development. Belleville coach Dawn Stiegert led our staff in a collaborative discussion which allowed them to experience the model.
Belleville kindergarten teacher Kelsey Schmit commented that this experience brought the realization that “this is a process. None of this is expected to be mastered by any one person in any one, two, three, years. It is ever changing and evolving.” Gayle Doyle, a third grade teacher, stated, “Continued professional development and peer collaboration is key in making the PCL model successful.” With this deeper understanding, teachers will be better equipped to work with their students and grow in the model.
Discussions that took place during the summer institute also gave teachers new ideas on how to engage students in higher-level thinking.
The PCL model seeks to engage students where they are in their learning. Mrs. Doyle found the discussion on “raising the rigors in our literacy classroom a good reminder of what it takes to close the literacy gap.” Another is excited to use the language workshop to “support kids to read more complex texts independently.” The PCL model truly offers an opportunity for teachers and students to engage in learning.
As we continue to prepare our students to meet the current and future challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, the PCL model will work hand in hand with personalized learning resulting in greater student achievement. We are excited about having the tools in place to reach students as they are learning and growing at their individual pace.
The School District of Belleville has embarked on an exciting new journey to discover new teaching strategies, engage our students and community, all working toward achieving a culture of higher-level thinking that prepares us for the everyday challenges that may lay ahead.
