What happens on Wednesdays when Gilbert teachers meet

For Gilbert Public Schools students, Wednesdays typically mean an early release from school and an extra hour at home.

But for GPS teachers, Wednesdays are a dedicated day for professional development.

On early release days, teachers and staff stay at their schools to participate in "Professional Learning Communities," or PLCs, essential professional growth and development sessions that help staff grow and positively impact their classrooms.

PLCs are not just lectures and presentations that teachers and staff sit through — they focus on collaboration, data, and growth. In PLCs, teachers might come together to learn about a new curriculum, review their school’s Continuous Improvement Plan or outline their priorities for the coming months.

This collaborative time enables teachers and sta