"Does Anyone Even Care That I'm down Here?": Creating Shared Values in a District-Wide Physical Education Professional Learning Community

• Published in: Journal of teaching in physical education 2022-01, Vol.41 (1), p.50-59
• Main Authors: Hagenah, Sara, Wenner, Julianne A, Tucker, Kimberly, Johnson, Tyler, Calvert, Hannah, Turner, Lindsey
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Communities of Practice; Elementary School Teachers; Faculty Development; Networks; Physical education; Physical Education Teachers; Professional Isolation; Program Effectiveness; Teacher Collaboration; Teacher Role; Urban Schools
• ISSN: 0273-5024; 1543-2769
• DOI: 10.1123/jtpe.2020-0047

Purpose: Physical education teachers often report feeling isolated due to being the only specialist in a building. Professional learning communities (PLCs) are spaces where individuals who hold shared goals come together to build connections, allowing educators to feel connected, valued, and empowered. The authors sought to explore the shared values created by a PLC and the process through which that value emerged. Method: The authors facilitated a PLC for eight physical education teachers within one midsized school district and collected interview and meeting audio data to explore the process and outcomes of the PLC. Results: Coding using a Value Creation Framework revealed themes of building common ground, support for big and small problems of practice, and an increased connection with other school faculty. Discussion: Teachers were able to build a supportive network where ideas could be traded, partner support was provided, and problems of practice were discussed.