Elementary principals' perspectives in developing and sustaining professional learning communities.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to answer through the perceptions of experienced elementary principals, how do elementary principals develop and sustain an evolving professional learning community? Based on the interviews of nine elementary principals, with phenomenology as a research method, the study sought to answer this research question. The data after analysis resulted in seven themes emerging from the data. The emerging themes to answer how elementary principals develop professional learning communities were; (1) Time, (2) Right People-Right Places, (3) There Will Be Struggles, and (4) Must Be Able to See the Gifts. The three themes that emerged to answer how elementary principals sustain professional learning communities were; (5) Utilize Outside Support, (6) Lead from the Back, and (7) Sustain the Feeling of Community.