As I reflect back on the highlights of this course, I would have to honestly write that I learned so much from this course in 4 weeks. The first hurdle I faced was understanding, what is action research? I was under the impression this class was going to be more like clinical or university research. It was great to understand the fundamental difference between the two types of research. The foundation for action research is what Kettering refers to as the welcoming attitude toward and actively seeking change. “Essential research is nothing but a state of mind… a friendly, welcoming, attitude toward change…going out to look for change instead of waiting for it to come” (Kettering, in Boyd, 1961). Nancy Dana Fichman uses principal insights to help define administrative inquiry; Mike DeLucas, Principal, Williston High School says, “Principal inquiry is a process that allows me to do three things. I need and like to do but rarely make time for-be a reflective practitioner, work with a true professional learning community, and model instructional leadership.” (p.8) One also realizes through this whole process, principals are conducting their own personal professional development that is ultimately more practical for them. Administrative inquiry helps guide a principal on how to lead using reflection and ultimately making changes that accomplish the vision originally set for their own school’s success. These quotes are so powerful because they define how I want to be as a leader. My current job as an instructional coach already empowers me to lead teachers toward change and uncomfortable situations where teachers need support. I feel the world in education is rapidly changing. Principals will have to continue researching the best ways to accommodate the changes happening in our world. I also feel the video that showed the interview with Dr. Kirk Lewis, Superintendent form Pasadena ISD, summarized some of the important points to remember about action research. Dr. Lewis states action research needs to be centered on something that is practical to you. A question you should ask is: What do you need to know or find out to apply it to student learning in your environment? Dr. Lewis reminds us of three things we need to remember to achieve the best results out of your action research project:
- You need to be interested in the research
- You need to be focused on the outcome
- Students on your campus need to benefit from the practical research
Another area I totally agree with is according to Roland Barth (1981): Nothing with in a school has more impact upon students in terms of skill development, self-confidence, or classroom behavior than the personal and professional growth for their teachers. When teachers examine, question, reflect on their ideas and develop new practices they lead towards their ideals, students are alive. When teachers stop growing so do their students. (p. 145) I agree with the Dana text when she describes one of the best indicators of instructional leadership is the presence of an ongoing school-based staff development program and a school climate in which that program can flourish… (p.32). My district is trying to have more job embedded professional development relevant to the teachers needs at the present time. My job as instructional coach is to directly work with the principal and teachers at my two campuses to meet the needs of the teachers to ultimately improve instructions to raise student achievement. As a principal on a campus it will even be more necessary for the teachers to realize you are there as a leader to help them grow. When I become a principal I will strive to constantly encourage my teachers to keep learning and exploring new things that will not only help them understand changes but also help our students learn more.
I would have to also reflect on how this course directed you toward a clear and concise way to implement a plan to make your “wonderings” and research plan happen. The template adapted from the book Examining What We Do To Improve our Schools 8 Steps From Analysis to Action focused my attention toward developing and implementing a manageable task in trying to develop my action research plan. I feel without this template my thoughts would not have been as detailed as they needed to be. Creating the blog was also an area I had not had very much experience in doing. It was a stressful moment but now I look back and feel proud I was able to work through it and I learn more about an information tool that enables one to communicate with others worldwide.
The other part in this course that has impacted me to be a better leader was the reference to how important the reflection process is as a principal or leader in education. I feel we get so busy we forget to stop and evaluate the big picture or the big projects we are working on. The reflection process helped me understand that journaling or summarizing your thoughts can sometimes save you steps and stop you from going in a direction that will not get you the results you wanted from the beginning. Collaboration and sharing is also a part of the reflection process. We as leaders have to know how to communicate our thoughts and findings in ways that will empower other people to jump aboard with us and not only grow ourselves but also grow teachers and students at our school. We also want everyone at our school to feel they are part of this process. If a leader can make this happen, they truly will have accomplished great things.
Fichman, Nancy Dana (2009). Leading With Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Yeah I understand all of this
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