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!