PLC's

The latest and greatest in education is PLC's (Professional Learning Communities).  I can remember when I first started teaching some 17 years ago, and some of the older faculty members would always make comments that I didn't understand until later in my career. There always seems to be a "theme" or "direction" our district wants us to work towards, and this has remained the same throughout my teaching career.  Some of these "themes" or "directions" were better than others (and yes, some were a complete waste of time).  These veteran teachers I mentioned before would make comments each time we shifted gears in a new direction.  Most of the comments were things like: "Here we go again," "the pendulum swings back and forth," "I wonder what we are doing next year."  As the years roll by these comments are being validated by the "shifting of the gears."  Most of these veteran teachers may have rolled their eyes and been sarcastic, but at the same time, almost all of them would jump on board as team members and do what was needed to be done even if they didn't like the "hoop jumping."  The latest "theme" or "direction" for the last several years has been PLC's.  This one has hung on for longer than most of them, and may be here to stay in some way, shape, or form.  I would have to say I completely agree with the concept of PLC's.  Working collaboratively with faculty members, looking at data to adjust instruction, common assessments, working with the end in mind, etc.  It is extra work at times, but it makes sense and is what is best for the students.  There are also some things I don't like.  I hate the paperwork involved.  We seem to waste (I hesitate using that word) a lot of time in meetings as departments (PLC's) filling this stuff out on the computer so our school and the district can make sure we are doing what we are being asked to do.  It always seems like I have a load of stuff to get done and not enough time to get it done.  Then we have to add this seemingly busy work on top of everything else that I can't seem to fit in.  Life as a teacher...so much to get done and not enough time to do it.  Even though I don't like the paperwork part of it, I can at least understand why.  So now it seems I am developing into one of these older teachers with sarcastic comments, but also on board as a team player getting things done.  Once we are administrators, things like PLC's will be viewed much differently.  How do we get our staff members excited and on board with a new "theme" or "direction?"  Whatever it is that we do, it will be in the best interest of our students to help them be as successful as they can be.