We were not able to bring groups together in person for professional learning this school year due to COVID-19. In addition, Library Media Services did not emphasize working within a WakeForward Focus Area this school year. Still, there were multiple schools that continued working within the WakeForward framework independent of any direction from the district office. They continued to hold MTAC meetings, selected and submitted a focus area, and set goals.

We launched this virtual PLC to support those who were continuing to work on WakeForward goals even within the pandemic. The course was designed to be flexible on all fronts. Participants could choose which modules to engage with in the online Canvas course, and choose to attend a monthly virtual meeting. Each module in the Canvas course invited participants to work either on their own as a professional, or in collaboration with their MTAC.

The PLC focused on implementing action research to work toward focus area goals. The Canvas course included the following modules:

• Common Learning Modules

  • WakeForward Alignment to School Improvement

  • Action Research

  • Gathering Evidence and Reflecting on Progress: Building on your WakeForward Portfolio

• Focus Area Specific Modules

  • Curriculum & Instruction

    • School Improvement Analysis

    • Digital Learning Standards Analysis

    • NCTIES

    • Digital Learning Standards, continued

    • Digital Portfolio Evidence and Reflection

  • Equity & Cultural Competency

    • Evaluating components of your library program (Project READY Module 21)

    • Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (Project READY Module 17)

    • NCTIES

    • AASL Standard: Include

    • Digital Portfolio Evidence and Reflection

  • Use of Space & Time

    • Assessing the virtual library environment

    • Assessing the physical library environment

    • NCTIES

    • Digital Portfolio Evidence and Reflection

  • Family & Community Partnerships

    • Family Engagement strategies

    • Family Engagement strategies, continued

    • NCTIES

    • Using the community as an information source

    • Digital Portfolio Evidence and Reflection

  • Budget & Resources

    • School improvement analysis

    • Analyzing resource usage

    • NCTIES

    • Analyzing curation practices

    • Digital Portfolio Evidence and Reflection

  • Professional Learning

    • Analyzing professional learning offerings and staff needs

    • Examining professional learning evidence-based practices

    • NCTIES

    • Planning to support the Student Device Program

    • Digital Portfolio Evidence and Reflection

  • Technology & Infrastructure

    • Equitable technology access and school improvement

    • Analyzing accessibility of virtual library environments

    • NCTIES

    • Planning to support the Student Device Program

    • Digital Portfolio Evidence and Reflection

  • Data & Privacy

    • Data and privacy considerations for virtual learning

    • Teaching students about data and privacy

    • NCTIES

    • Digital Portfolio Evidence and Reflection