K-12 School Leaders’ Application of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) During a Pandemic

Abstract

Using reflective practice inquiry (Schön, 1983), this article highlights the role of K-12 school leadership approaches in facilitating Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) (Dufour & Dufour, 2012; Dufour & Eaker, 1998; Dufour et al., 2008) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a constantly changing and uncertain world, school leadership is acknowledged as being more complex and multi-faceted while also becoming more intensified, demanding, and diverse than ever before (Canadian Association of Principals (CAP), 2014; Pollock & Schleicher, 2015; Wang & Hauseman, 2015;). Leadership continues to evolve and become more multi-layered during a pandemic, requiring both face-to-face and remote learning options. Therefore, a leader’s responsive approach may differ based on the situational context. Educational research in instructional leadership (Hallinger, 2003, 2005; Robinson, 2011), shared leadership (Dewitt, 2017; Leithwood, 2012), and adaptive leadership (Bagwell, 2020; Dunn, 2020; Heifetz et al., 2009) have shown these to be effective leadership approaches. A PLC is an organizational path for leadership to facilitate the building of relational trust, and especially during complex, uncertain times, such as during a pandemic. To be an effective leader, trust becomes an essential factor within schools (Bryk & Schneider, 2002; Fink, 2015). Strengthening relational trust between teachers and the principal fosters conditions for members of a school community working together as well as social and academic progress for student learning (Bryk & Schneider, 2002; Tschannen-Moran & Hoy, 1998). The leadership implications for K-12 principals require adaptability and resilience to the ever-changing context while always maintaining ethical and moral standards. This article highlights the critical role in developing PLC collaborative opportunities to establish teacher connections based on relational trust to support student learning.