Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1518807
things, or a district may balk at the release time required to make com- munity schools work. (AUHSD gives teacher leads two periods of release time to collaborate with other teachers and develop curriculum and classroom lessons, and lead their site team that includes admin, parents, students and community partners.) The Learning Lab will demonstrate to administrators how teacher lead release time is integral to community schools' success. And while participant teams will ideally be composed of all stakeholders, teams that have not yet formed collaborative relationships are also welcome. The Lab, Bettendorf said, "can empower associations with strat- egies and structures" to overcome all these barriers. Learning Lab details The NCSLL will draw from ASTA/ AUHSD's expertise and experience with community schools, specifically in implementing steering committees, recruiting and training teacher leads, creating resources and professional development opportunities for educa- tors, and collaborating with external partners including educational experts, community organizations and more. This also includes strategic planning, such as setting clear goals, timelines and performance metrics, and identify- ing potential challenges and solutions. Bettendorf and her colleagues are currently refining the Learning Lab pro- gram; it may include: • A pre-visit virtual meeting to assess participants' needs and assets and review Learning Lab objectives; • Day 1 (in-person): Leading and Learning Day, an immersive expe- rience that includes a community learning tour, visits with community partners, classroom observation, best practices for designing and implementing community schools, and a focus on addressing the root causes of educational inequities; • Day 2 (in-person): Participants – learn and discuss steering com- mittee structure, the process and procedures of consensus build- ing and shared leadership, and subcommittee structure; – review the CTA Community Schools 5-Step Toolkit and the NEA 5 Steps to Kickstarting Community Schools; – discuss the role of teacher leads and best practices for classroom instruction; – develop a plan to create and sustain a CSSC; – receive guidance in organizing around community schools. Learning Lab leaders will work with NEA and CTA on participant follow-up and support, in person and virtually. Participants who receive teacher lead training will be expected to train col- leagues back at their district schools, with help and resources: "We have a training for teacher leads that we already use — we will provide that," said Bettendorf. The NCSLL will serve as an entry point into the NEA Implementation Institute for Community Schools, which supports participants through monthly professional learning community meet- ings, customized trainings, coaching for local district and site teams, and access to a step-by-step guide to developing community schools. Ideally, partici- pants would attend the Learning Lab before applying for the Institute. Learning Lab attendees must pay for travel and lodging. The Lab will cover the cost of the Leading and Learning Day, materials and meals. Interested in the Learning Lab? Email astacslab@gmail.com. Leading and Learning participants observe a community school classroom. Students at Magnolia High's Agriscience Community Center after preparing a community dinner. 30 cta.org Feature C O M M U N I T Y S C H O O L S