Central Elementary School has been named a Model Professional Learning Community at Work, making it the sixth school in Illinois and one of 925 schools and school districts worldwide to earn this designation.
Professional Learning Communities, or PLCs, are schools and districts in which educators recognize that the key to improved learning for students is ongoing, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students.
The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to:
Focus on learning
Build a collaborative culture
Create results orientation
Dr. Jennifer Hennegan, Principal at Central Elementary, said the school is recognized for its teamwork, student learning, and emphasis on growth for every student.
“This recognition reflects the collective efforts of educators who continually learn from one another, reflect on their practice, and remain focused on what matters most: student learning,” said Dr. Jennifer Hennegan, principal. “Our students have also embraced this work by setting goals, monitoring their progress, and taking ownership of their learning.”
Central Elementary administrators and staff have been working on this designation since 2020.
A team of Central teachers, staff, and administrators submitted three years of school data, school report cards, the 5 Essentials survey data, and narratives about curriculum, student support, and learning goals.
Evidence of the PLC-based work is around hallways, including fact fluency celebrations, fun posters listing grade-level goals, and growth celebrations.
For example, Central added 30 minutes of math intervention to its master schedule in 2023-2024 school year and created targeted goals in math.
The mid-year I-Ready test data showed the largest test score growth in math among all 18 elementary schools from 2022 to the 2023-2024 school year.
Central staff must submit data every three years to maintain this Model Professional Learning Community at Work designation.
“Continuous improvement remains at the heart of our work, and we will keep striving to strengthen teaching and learning in every classroom,” Hennegan said.
“At Central Elementary, we remain committed to ensuring high levels of learning and growth for all Wildcats.”
Visit the PLC website to learn more about the process and see the data.
