| Responses from the January 2016 PLO |
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I was trying to figure out what made this some of the best PD I’ve ever attended. The presenters were good, no doubt, but it was more than that. I believe this was the first time that I ever attended professional learning when all of the attendees were truly excited to be there. There was full participation in every session I attended, the conversations never stopped until someone had to limit the time, the questions were plentiful, and the attitudes were over the top positive. There is something almost magical about being a part of a group like that. It makes me feel like our job – our mission – is possible. Thank you so much for the inspiration and the opportunity to be a part of this. The training was the best I've ever received. I liked the flexibility of choosing breakout sessions and the time given to collaborate with the other coaches in my IU. I think the relationships I developed with the other instructional coaches will be extremely valuable. Thank you for an amazing three days and for these much needed words of inspiration! I want to truly thank each and every one of you. I needed this experience so badly to remind me of what is most important about coaching. I am grateful to each and every one of you! The PIIC conference was, again, outstanding. Never do I feel apprehensive about asking questions. The balance of learning and reflection allows for the type of professional learning environment I hope to create in my own district. It is always helpful to talk with so many different people to get ideas for transformation of schools and districts with new ideas and continuation of ideas that are working. Coaching for change requires work, and the PLO always rejuvenates me to go back and keep pushing forward! More communication needs to occur from top down. Administrators need to communicate just as effectively and clearly with coaches, as coaches do with teachers and vice versa. It was wonderful working and learning with each of you! When I began this work I felt so isolated and the PLO was the only opportunity for collaboration. Through PIIC, the PLOs and our base at the IU, our network has grown to be a foundational support in all of the work I do within my district! Thank you. I am so very glad that I was a part of this PLO. I am very excited to learn more at the next one in May. Not only did I learn about coaching, but I also met some great coaching friends along the way. Networking is so important because it helps to share our passions and work through our struggles. We do it together, not alone. Honestly, the thing I like the most about any PIIC PLO that I attend is the networking with other people because it isn't that we just attend session, it's that full inclusion into the PIIC mindset at all times. Whether we are at the reception, at dinner, in the hallway, on breaks, we are constantly able to pick the brains of everyone around us. And because everyone brings their own unique experiences, there is always something to learn and take back to my district. “Thank you so much for a fantastic experience! I learned so much from our PD sessions, but especially from our conversations. I appreciate all of your support and enjoyed getting to know each of you. I look forward to continuing on this crazy path of coaching with each of you. We are really lucky to have the honor of being coaches at this exciting time! Gail- Thanks for being a supportive mentor and for your continuous words of inspiration.” |