Checking in....Action Research

So...Here's what I've been able to accomplish thus far regarding my action based research plan:
-Discussed topic with site supervisor/Principal
-Gathered Baseline Data and establish procedures.
- Met with school attendance clerk to review last year’s attendance data to create a baseline.  
-Established procedures for the coming school year to track student attendance for reporting.
-Presented after-school programs (ASP) to campus.  Met with one interested teacher to develop guidelines and requirements for programs. 

 -Created procedures for taking attendance for ASPs reporting.

NOw....I am a little behind schedule due to unforseen campus based issues. SOooo by Oct. 5, my goal is to:

-Develop an ASP weekly   calendar including extended participation opportunities such as additional evening or weekend performances, presentations, etc.…

-Develop a code of conduct and expectation for participation/attendance for the ASP club.

The biggest problem, due to the resistance of the campus towards the new administration, we are left with only three after-school clubs. This shouldn't impact the overall plan but it's definitely not what I was hoping for.  Fingers crossed! 

I read the most incredible article (twice actually), Parent Involvement: Influencing Factors and Implications by Delores C. Pena from Texas Tech University.  Basically she researched ways to increase and improve parents involvement.  Often times in schools, as in life, we all fall victim of being superficial, surface level, and seeing only what we are able to see from external factors.  I learned my first year of teaching how incredibly important it is to SEE beyond the explicit and more towards implicit connections with families.  If you truly WANT successful students and you truly DESIRE parental involvement, this article is a FANTASTIC read!

Since When?

When did it actually happen that parents were NOT a welcomed, encouraged part of the educational process.  As a teacher, I view parents as an extension of my hand and the heart of my reach towards my student!  It's frustrating for parents to be ill-informed and uneducated about the ins and outs of the classroom.  According to recent research one of the primary factors in the success of a child's education is parent interest and support (Berger, 1995).  Schools that welcome and support parent involvement also tend to outperform schools without parental involvement.  Teachers are the HEART at this communication.  I make a true effort to contact each and every parent by the end of the first week of school...This year I accomplished this task by contacting 84 of 90 parents by Friday at 5pm.  I'll have to work to track down those 6 parents but mark my words...I shall!  These contacts were all personalized, positive and provided parents with my contact information and expectations.  I have found throughout the years, this is the number one way to ensure support.  I always end the conversation with "please tell your child that we spoke about how amazing s/he is doing in my class".  This way the child also knows I have follow through and when I tell them, "I will call your parents and we will be successful", they know I mean what I say!  This first initial contact also ensures that when follow up conversations occur regarding the child in any positive or negative light, I have already established a relationship.  Parents are KEY to connecting with the child!  ALWAYS EMBRACE THEM, WELCOME THEM, and SUPPORT THEM!

Final Week - Reflection - Stand Out Moments!

My final week on my second class...Lamar Ed Administration Program...one of many memorable moments...

A stand out moment in the course for me was probably the video by Dr. Johnny Briseno, Rancho Isabella Elementary, Angleton ISD. I have spoke to several professionals and have shared the video with my site supervisor.  What stood out most to me was how Dr. Briseno values all factors that contribute to a child’s success from classroom performance to home situations.  His commitment to data reflects his passion towards student success.  He impresses the need for having a holistic picture of a student because it directly impacts achievement.   

Week 2 Reflection - Culture and Community

 I’ve had the privilege to serve at an amazing campus.  The moment I stepped foot in the school, I could “feel” the character of the building.  As I walked the halls for the first time, the principal asked me if I could “feel the goodness”.  I enthusiastically replied.  She said, “there is goodness in the mortar of this building and that goodness affects us each day in all we do”.  Crafting a school culture and connecting to that school community is essential to the overall success and health of a campus.  This culture and climate is in all you do.  Therefore, all "wonderings" and "passions" should be focused on the culture and climate you seek to develop within a campus.  

Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, recently passed away.  He leaves a lasting impact on the nature of developing leaders in schools.  In Chapter 5 of his profound Leader in Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time, Covey (2008) says, "A school's "culture" results from the combined behaviors of the people involved in that particular school.  It is sometimes referred to as the "way we do things around here."  Culture is not the mission, the vision, or the strategy that is printed on a sheet of paper or mounted on a wall.  Culture is not the list of school values or the school's policy manual.  Culture is not what is proclaimed out of someone's mouth.  Rather, culture is how people actually behave and treat each other on a consistent day-in and day-out basis.  Culture can be seen, felt, and heard." (p.91)

Ode to the Blogs

Obtaining information in the 21^st century has greatly been impacted by the growing use of technology and availability of resources.  Blogs (or weblogs) have become an ideal place for administrators and teachers to communicate information, share findings, pose questions, elicit responses, and connect with others in the profession. This powerful tool can help the school leader develop their own personal “hub” to influence not only their campus but also reach the professional community at large.   

What I've Learned...

Administrative inquiry or action research is a systematic, reflective process in which professionals, in this case a school principal, engages in intentional study focused on learning and school improvement.  This process empowers the principal or “head learner” to model a powerful tool impacting student success, making changes for the school, solving problems, and leads to a rich professional development and self-improvement.  Administrative inquiry is as systematic as logical deduction with a process similar to that of the scientific method.  By sharing the findings gained from this reflective and insightful practice, it demonstrates a commitment to the profession and empowers the “head leaner” to connect with the campus in a collaborative leadership effort.  A natural component of action research is collaboration with staff and valuing time for improvement.  This will significantly impact having a shared vision, taking action for change, and sustaining improvement.  The synergy generated by this collaboration removes the frequent isolation sometimes suffered by administrators.  The secret to success in action research is reflection. The act of inquiry and reflection must be a commitment rather than a task. Reflection is meant to become a habit not an added agenda item on a continually demanding “To-Do” list.  It is the practice of seeking the best.  Our “wonderings” become our passion and our quest for change.  Research or administrative inquiry should be viewed as a healthy, essential component of success.