School Awarded for PLC Practices

Sonora Elementary School is the first-ever recipient of the Solution Tree Promising Practices Award.

“It was an honor to tell the story of the focused work I see happening in our building every single day,” said Dr. Regina Stewman, Sonora Elementary School principal. “What a confirmation of the personalized learning experience provided for each child.”

Recipients of the Promising Practices Award demonstrate a commitment to the PLC at Work process, implement the concepts for at least one or two years, present clear evidence of student learning, and explain the culture, practices, and structures of their school. Additionally, 1-2 years of consecutive data showing student improvement is submitted. Promising Practices is the initial step in becoming a Model PLC at Work School. Dr. Stewman plans to submit for model school status during the Fall of 2024.

Applying for the Promising Practices Award is complex. “This is an intense process,” said Dr. Marcia Smith, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “We are very proud of Sonora Elementary and their hard work with PLCs.”

All 31 of Springdale Schools participate in the Professional Learning Community (PLC) process. The PLC process is built upon three foundational pieces: a focus on learning, a collaborative culture and collective responsibility, and results orientation. Teachers work in collaborative teams to answer the following questions:

1. What do we want our students to learn?
2. How will we know when students learn it?
3. What do we do when students don’t learn it?
4. What do we do when schools have learned it?

Springdale Schools strives to be a model PLC district. The Promising Practices Designation at Sonora Elementary is a natural progression to help the district achieve our goals.