AR Project Update

My action research project seems to be progressing well.  I’ve conducted my interviews and am almost finished compiling my data.  Once I’ve compiled the data, the important work begins in analyzing it and making the all-important determination of whether or not it supports my thesis and answers the questions I set forth in the inquiry process.  From what I’ve got so far, I think that I’m in good shape, but I’ll really have to dig into it to see how everything is going to shake out.  My interviews were very interesting and insightful.  I found that those who understand the vision and purpose behind collaborative planning have really fallen in love with it.  The overwhelming sentiment I’ve gotten from those people is that they wonder why they hadn’t been doing it all along.  For years many teachers worked in isolation, feeling like they were all alone on an island.  One teacher at my school told me that during her first year of teaching (which was only 3 years ago), she was handed a textbook and told to just go and teach.  No standards, no accountability, and no real help.  She said that the collaborative planning system in place at this school and in this district, has helped her immensely and has made her a better teacher.  I honestly do believe that my data and my interviews will support my belief that true collaborative planning does make a big difference in the achievement of learning goals by students and translates into higher scores on district and state assessments. 

Time to Reflect...

In this the final week of EDLD 5301, I offer a reflection of what I've gained over the past five weeks:

The journey through this course has been one filled with questions, yet also packed with insight.  I honestly did not know what this course would be all about, though I must admit that the title had me a bit intimidated.  I have a severe phobia of the old tried and true research papers from high school and college, so seeing the word “Research” in the course name had me slightly afraid.  But now that I stand at the end, I can say that this course is nothing like what I expected it to be.

Like many, I’m sure, I had never heard the term “action research” before and I certainly could not have defined it.  Through the lectures and chapter one of the Dana (2009) text, I began to understand what action research is and why it is important.  From the Dana (2009) text, I saw that action research is a process consisting of five key components: questions or “wonderings” posed by the researcher; data collected to get information or insight pertaining to the question or wondering; data analysis and reading of pertinent literature; implementation of change based on new insights gained through the research process; and dissemination of the results of the action research with others in the professional community (pp. 2-3).

With that defined, I then understood that the purpose of this course is to lay the foundation for the action research project that I will undertake over the course of my internship.  I had always heard that there is a project that aspiring principals must complete as part of their graduate program and certification.  So I knew at some point I would have to face that obstacle, though I had no idea what form it would take.  This course has shown me exactly what that project will be and how to go about completing it.

Probably the most appealing part of this course was learning the basis for all action research undertakings: the process of inquiry or wondering.  I’ve always been an inquisitive person who is interested in how things work and why they exist.  But I never realized that reflection and inquiry are such a critical piece of educational leadership.  I love the quote from Donnan Stoicovy, Principal of Park Forest Elementary School, found in the Dana (2009) text: “It is the nagging question (or questions) that stirs me to take action based on data, investigations, instincts, and more questions.” (p. 9)  This quote describes me perfectly.  There is always some nagging question in the back of my mind, like “Why are we doing it this way?” or “How come no one has thought to do this differently?”  It was wonderful to know that my natural bent toward reflection and inquiry will serve me well as I walk through the action research project.

The final piece of this course that has been such a benefit is the sense of community that I’ve gained.  It has been a great comfort to know that I’m not the only one with questions or concerns or difficulties during this course.  The discussion boards and blogs have helped me understand that I am not alone in this endeavor, but have a group of people who are traveling this road with me that I can lean on for support and guidance as I complete my project.  I look forward to developing those relationships through subsequent courses in this program and hope that I can be as much help to others as they have been to me.

So looking forward, I know that I still have a long road ahead of me.  There is much work to be done and not a wealth of time in which to do it.  But this course has given me the tools and insights I need to complete these tasks that will make me a better learner and a better leader.

Revised Action Research Plan

Action Research Plan

Righting the Wrongs

This week I learned how specific aspects of school life and leadership can be impacted by the use of inquiry and action research.  The one that stood out most in my mind was the area of social justice in schools.  Now granted, I’ve been a teacher for all of about two seconds and may be both naïve and idealistic.  But I think my school could use an action research project based on social justice to open the eyes of everyone there to see the inequalities that exist and how we can overcome them so all students are successful.

What good is a blog anyway?

If there's one thing I've learned in my first 18 months as a teacher, it's that teaching can sometimes be a lonely job.  Now you might be wondering how this is possible since teachers spend all day interacting with students and other teachers.  The truth is that it is all to easy to get isolated and feel like it's you against the world, especially if, like me, you're the only person teaching your grade-level subject on your campus.  Community is critical in the world of education and thanks to the internet and the world of blogging, it is now easier than ever to connect with other teachers who can be invaluable resources and support along the way.  I see blogs as a tool for teachers to put out their ideas, share their successes and failures, and then be able to get feedback from others who are in the same boat.  As teachers we've got to stick together.  We've got to get off our little islands and help each other out.  Because no one truly understands the demands of this job until they've done it.

What is AR and why do we need it?

Action research (AR) can be thought of as a process through which an educator intentionally and systematically examines his or her philosophies and practices and then takes action based on what is learned.  To me, AR is completely centered around the need for change or improvement of methods and practices.  Look, none of us have it all figured out.  No matter how skilled and experienced we are as teachers or administrators, there is always room (and need) for growth.  And AR is a highly effective means by which to bring about change and growth, both personally and professionally.  AR is carried out by posing questions about current methods or practices, gathering and analyzing data, making changes based on enlightenment gained, and then sharing the results with others.

As a second-year teacher aspiring to be a principal, I see AR as a critical piece of my development.  I have got to condition myself to this process of questioning everything that I do to determine if there is a way I can do it better.  Then as I apply this principle to myself, I can begin to understand how to apply it to the bigger picture of my campus and entire school district.  I know it won’t be easy.  This process takes time, which is the most precious of all resources to an educator.  But there are no shortcuts on the road to success and the sooner I can develop this habit, the more dividends it will pay in the end.  So I hope you will join me on my quest to know myself better and that we can help each other along this journey toward becoming principals!