EDWARDSVILLE - Worden Elementary has been recognized as a Model Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work school by Solution Tree, honoring its commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement, and student success.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
This recognition places Worden Elementary among a select group of schools across the nation that have demonstrated exceptional dedication to ensuring high levels of learning for all students through the PLC at Work process.
Worden is the second District 7 school to earn the honor, following Leclaire Elementary, which was recognized last fall.
Model PLC recognition is a highly regarded international distinction, with Worden joining just 67 other schools in Illinois to earn the honor. With Worden’s recognition, District 7 is now home to the only two elementary schools in the Metro East with Model PLC status and one of just five elementary schools south of the Chicagoland area to earn the distinction.
To be designated as a Model PLC, schools must meet rigorous criteria, including:
Demonstrating a sustained commitment to PLC at Work concepts for at least three years.
Presenting clear, measurable evidence of improved student learning.
Providing annual data that confirms continued implementation and success.
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are built on the belief that the key to improved student learning is ongoing, job-embedded learning for the educators who serve them. The PLC at Work process focuses on three core ideas:
A focus on learning.
A collaborative culture.
A results orientation.
“We are honored to be recognized as a Model PLC at Work School, and I am proud of all of the efforts the teachers and staff have put into our students to achieve this distinction,” said Worden Principal Dana Morton. “It is evident not only in the black-and-white data, but, more importantly, in the collaboration that the PLC model affords our school community. That collaboration is apparent in every aspect of our school day, from instruction to student interactions.”
In addition to Morton, members of the Worden Guiding Coalition include Julie Luitjohan (third-grade teacher), Shannon Weber (third-grade teacher), Patty Odom (fourth-grade teacher), Amanda Wasson (fourth-grade teacher), Phoenyx Gassett (fourth-grade teacher), and Kylie Barth (fourth-grade teacher). Lucas Smith, school psychologist, provides support with data collection, while Tara Fox, Director of Curriculum, provides additional support to the team.
“This recognition belongs to the teachers and staff at Worden Elementary,” said Superintendent Dr. Allen Duncan Jr. “They meet every week to look closely at what their students are learning, and they don't stop until they find what works for each child. Being named a Model PLC school confirms what we see in their classrooms every day. It is our mission in action: empowering each student to achieve personal success.”
Developed by Solution Tree, the PLC at Work process has transformed schools around the world by empowering educators to work together to improve outcomes for all students.
To achieve this distinction, Worden Elementary demonstrated a multi-year commitment to the PLC process, fostering a culture of collaboration and showing clear evidence of student growth and achievement. Schools seeking this honor must also submit a comprehensive application outlining their practices, systems, and results for review by Solution Tree’s PLC Review Committee.
Recognized Model PLC schools are featured on allthingsplc.info, where they share their implementation strategies, structures, and performance results with educators worldwide. The site also offers tools for collaboration, research articles, and resources to support schools striving to improve teaching and learning.
For more than 20 years, Solution Tree has provided professional development, research-based resources, and training to help educators create schools where all children succeed.
