Virtual Teacher Support through PLCs and Planning Periods

The challenges of maintaining teacher satisfaction and fostering effective learning environments are unconventional in the realm of virtual education. Balancing the unique needs of teachers and students in this setting requires innovative solutions. When districts invest in planning periods and Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), it is a game-changer for virtual learning. These actions not only strengthen partnerships between staff in education but can also improve student outcomes. 

What is a PLC? 

A PLC is a Professional Learning Community. It is important to understand that a PLC is not professional development (PD). It is not a meeting teachers attend or a task to complete. Instead, AllThingsPLC describes it as “an ongoing process in which educators work collaboratively in recurring cycles of collective inquiry and action research to achieve better results for the students they serve.” PLCs exist to serve students. The goal of a PLC is to encourage discussion and debate amongst teachers to ensure the highest quality education is happening inside the school.

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Virtual teachers must have a chance to integrate within the in-person PLC to make sure all students are receiving the same skills and critical thinking ability. When teachers can align their lesson plans and ensure they have the right amount of detail, they can make sure students are receiving uniform lessons. They also provide teachers the space to reflect on their lessons, the questions students had, and how to alter them going forward to ensure quality and clarity.  The lesson plans may be the same but the manner of teaching will vary from teacher to teacher, and by having the chance to align they will make sure no students are getting a different quality of education than their peers. 

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The importance of PLCs is especially heightened for the most effective kind of virtual learning: synchronous learning. When the virtual teaching is live, not pre-recorded videos, students have proven to stay on level or even surpass their peers with programs like Proximity Learning.

These communities also create a sense of belonging, helping educators overcome the isolation often associated with virtual teaching. Moreover, PLCs provide valuable professional development opportunities, keeping teachers engaged and inspired to refine their craft. Joining a PLC is a step toward rejecting ineffective asynchronous learning models and embracing a curriculum that drives success and equity in education.

Proximity Learning classrooms are designed to support students with both certified teachers and in-class facilitators working together.  The in-class facilitator is responsible for keeping students on task, helping with technical problems, and classroom management. Atthe same time, our certified teachers are focused on providing high-quality instruction. When the teacher and the facilitator have time to plan lessons and discuss their student’s needs, not only does the execution of the class go more smoothly, but students also have more hands-on teaching from professionals who know them and can tailor lessons to their needs. 

The system thrives when the teacher and facilitator want to plan outside of instructional hours and work with their fellow in-person teachers during professional development or other activities in the PLC. Having a consistent facilitator builds trust in a classroom and allows planning periods to be used in the most effective manner possible. 

Do Virtual Teachers Get Planning Periods?

Planning periods are essential for full-time virtual teachers to thrive in their roles and deliver high-quality education. These dedicated blocks of time enable teachers to prepare lessons, address technical challenges, and reflect and improve. Crafting lessons that are both interactive and tailored to meet the diverse needs of students requires time and focus. 

Virtual teaching often involves navigating various platforms and tools. Planning periods allow teachers to troubleshoot and ensure a seamless experience for students. Continuous improvement is a hallmark of excellent teaching. Teachers use planning periods to assess past lessons and strategize ways to enhance their effectiveness.

A common question arises around compensation for planning periods. Paying teachers for planning periods is an investment in their expertise, as it acknowledges the effort required beyond direct instruction. For those teaching only 1-2 class periods, this balance becomes particularly crucial to manage. Planning periods are, in fact, an investment in educational equity and excellence. They are essential to maintaining high standards of teaching, especially in districts with both in-person and virtual teachers. 

Should I Hire Proximity Learning Teachers?

With our 15 years of experience in virtual teaching, we have developed a deep understanding of how important community and planning time are to all teachers. Virtual teachers should be offered the same opportunity to improve their teaching. These investments not only enhance teacher satisfaction but also lead to better outcomes for students and stronger relationships with our clients. By offering tools like advanced PLC memberships, dedicated planning periods, and curated synchronous learning materials, we are empowering teachers to succeed and transforming virtual education into a model of equity and excellence.

We invite you to join us on this journey. Explore our enhanced offerings and see how an investment today can yield lasting success for your teachers and students tomorrow.