Developing a Christian Professional Learning Community

Heather Nerem, Head of Academics

At Des Moines Christian, we desire that each child is prepared for God’s calling on his/her life. This is evident in our mission of equipping each student’s mind and nurturing each heart to impact the world for Christ. We know that God has created each child on purpose for a purpose. We know how much He loves them and values them. As educators at Des Moines Christian, we do not take our responsibility in fostering such a learning community lightly. 

In fact, this summer around 30 of our teachers and administrators gathered together for a two-day event in which we learned specifically about becoming a Christian Professional Learning Community. This learning was also shared with all teachers during our back-to-school inservice days. It will continue to be a three to six year professional development focus. 

A Christian Professional Learning Community (CPLC) is a group of committed Christ-followers who are continually centered on Jesus and His Word; and who continually reflect on how this shapes a school culture and its structures and systems. It is the intentional process of creating and sustaining collaborative structures that will keep the school on mission and moving towards its strategic objectives. In simple terms, it is the way employees relate to one another on a daily basis to foster spiritual and academic growth across the entire school system. It is ‘how’ we carry out our mission on a daily basis. 

To become a Christian Professional Learning Community (CPLC), we must shift from some of education’s traditional practices. We must be willing to ask hard questions and think about shifts we can make that will ensure high levels of learning for each child. 

The diagram below outlines essential questions of a Christian Professional Learning Community. These questions help keep us unified and aligned in the right work. They will also be the focus of our professional development days with teachers.

I am thanking Jesus for the gift of the work before us and am excited to see how He will move in the minds and hearts of each of our children! And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Christian Professional Learning Community PDF