1. 1. + Teacher Study Groups Carly Tubbs
2. 2. + Consider This Imagine a system in which teachers have time to come together to resolve student issues, share lesson plans, analyze student work and discuss successes and failures of their students (Stanley 2011).
3. 3. + What is a teacher study group? A teacher study group is a collaborative group organized and sustained by teachers to help them strengthen their professional development in areas of common interest (Zepeda 2012)
4. 4. + Teacher Study Groups (TSG) Teacher study groups support and nurture teachers learning and are tied to school improvement projects. They are created to support peer interaction and allow teachers to share ideas with each other. Study groups are often created by teachers who want to improve the lives of their students. Zepeda 2012 p.180
5. 5. + Getting Started Training Identify teachers who have expertise in the areas teachers are focusing on. Visitation Send a few teachers from the study group to a nearby school that uses teacher study groups as a form of professional development. Outreach Check with local universities to see if professors use study groups. Professional Development Library Gather materials that deal with study groups Launch After some time spent in the study group, take time to look at the lessons learned and see what has worked best.
6. 6. + Organizing a Study Group Have a set time to meet Establish focus Seat goals
7. 7. + Organizing a Study Group (continued) Brainstorming Talk about what topic would best benefit in further study. Narrowing the Topic Take the information talked about during the first meeting and decide what will be the main focus during the meetings. Extended Meetings During these meetings is when the chosen topic receives the most attention. Reflection on Process and Content This meeting is when teachers reflect and analyze the topic that has been studied.
8. 8. + Respecting the Adult Learner Adopt the stance of co-learner rather than teacher. Connect the study group to a real-life issue in the school. Use the first study group session to set goals, create a timeline, and set at least one individual responsibility for each participant. Have a product in mind, one that each participant can use (e.g., a set of lesson plans, a new schedule). Revisit the goals and timeline at the start of each session, allowing participants to give an update. Amend plans to accommodate new ideas. Walpole 2008
9. 9. + Conclusion Teacher study groups give teachers the chance to have their voices heard. It also allows them a chance to learn from fellow teachers and administrators.