What is a Community of Practice?

A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of educators who share a common passion, challenge, or goal and learn together through consistent, ongoing interaction. CoPs can support teachers transitioning from traditional teaching methods to a 3-dimensional curriculum aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

CoPs are not just about collaboration and sharing best practices. They are a lifeline for educators in this transition, offering a platform to address common challenges and reduce the sense of isolation. This crucial role of CoPs can make the implementation process of 3-dimensional science curricula more manageable and enjoyable.

Implementing 3-dimensional curricula like IQWST, OpenSciEd, or Active Physics can be a heavy lift for educators. It represents a significant shift in instructional strategies that requires a deep understanding of the interplay between scientific practices, core ideas, and crosscutting concepts. Students are given ownership of their learning journey. Teachers facilitate this transformative experience with students.

Communities of Practice offer a platform for educators to collaborate, share best practices, and address common challenges in this transition. This reduces the sense of isolation and makes the implementation process more manageable and enjoyable. Through highly personalized professional learning workshops and targeted Community of Practice sessions, teachers can effectively build their confidence with these curricula and develop leadership skills that build program sustainability.