Professional Learning Communities

Welcome to Saybrook Professional Learning Communities!

At Saybrook, a Professional Learning Community (PLC) is a collaborative group of faculty, staff, students, alumni, or other stakeholders (or any combination thereof) who engage in shared learning experiences around a common topic or area to enhance academic, professional, community, and personal development.

PLCs focus on advancing understanding of the topic in a manner that can be shared with others. These communities foster interdisciplinary dialogue, active engagement, and mutual support through structured activities such as group discussions, common readings, and peer teaching presentations. In turn, PLC members share their knowledge and insights with the whole community via presentations, papers, posters, and other means.

Saybrook Professional Learning Communities contribute to a more connected and enriching educational environment by promoting intellectual curiosity, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. 

Starting & Facilitating a Professional Learning Community

Professional Learning Communities can be started and facilitated by any Saybrook faculty, faculty, staff, students, alumni, or other stakeholders who are passionate about a topic and willing to learn and share knowledge with others. The first step in forming a PLC is to fill out the Professional Learning Community Exploration Form linked below. To help you get started, feel free to consult the guidelines and advice from ChatGPT if desired. Online Learning & Teaching is also here to support you all along the way!

• Guidelines and Advice for Starting and Facilitating a University Professional Learning Community (PLC) - Revised from text Generated by ChatGPT
• Professional Learning Community Exploration Form

  Once your information is reviewed by Online Learning & Teaching, we will contact you to continue the process and provide guidance on setting up your community, finding interested candidates for membership, etc.

Joining a Professional Learning Community

As learning communities are formed and revised, the facilitators will reach out to the Saybrook community for membership. For any questions about this process, contact Ray Bailey, Director of Online Learning at rbailey3@saybrook.edu.

Current Saybrook Professional Learning Communities

• Faculty Ambassadors PLC (2022 - Present)
• Saybrook Animal Care, Research, and Education with Dignity Professional Learning Community (SACRED) PLC (2024 - Present)
• Artificial intelligence (AI) PLC (2024 - Present)
• Maternal Mental Health PLC (2025 - Present)
• Military, Military Veterans, and Families Network PLC (2025 - Present)

Need Help or Have Questions about PLCs?

Feel free to contact Ray Bailey, Director of Online Learning, at rbailey3@saybrook.edu with any questions or issues regarding PLCs.