Education the Looking Glass: Coach E's action plan

Education the Looking Glass: Coach E's action plan: Action Step (s) Intended Outcomes    Person (s) Responsible Timeline: St...

Coach E's action plan

Action Step (s) Intended Outcomes   Person (s) Responsible Timeline: Start/End Resources Needed Evaluation 1. Campus wide survey will be created to see what needs and concerns both new and veteran teachers have with regards to their job Create a survey with assistance from Site Supervisor to grasp a better understanding of the concerns that our teachers face.  The purpose will be for them to address their perceived needs and goals for the upcoming school year Ronald Elliott and Supervisor The survey will be given to the staff within the first few weeks of school. August/Sept. 2012 January/Feb. 2013 Survey This will be the first tool used to evaluate the current state of affairs amongst our teachers. The survey itself will be anonymous with the teacher providing only how many years they have taught 2. Campus Professional Development. Topic will be the benefits of peer coaching/mentoring program The purpose of this professional development session will be to enlighten teachers as to the benefits of teacher peer coaching and mentoring programs.  Ultimately to garner enthusiasm from veteran teachers and to provide support to new teachers Myself, Site Supervisor August 2012 Jan/Feb 2013 Research on current data, trends with regards to new and veteran teacher mentoring.     Explain the importance of the program This will be used to evaluate the current knowledge the staff has on peer coaching and mentoring. 3. Meet with Department heads on campus to engage their support to find teachers willing to participate in peer coaching program Ronald Elliott Staff Development Days before school starts August 2012 Jan/Feb 2013 Brief meeting packet that will be created prior to meeting The outcome of this meeting will be to see which teachers will be available mentors and coaches 4. Campus study on specific teacher needs,  as well as the idea of peer coaching and mentoring Demonstrate the importance of meeting the needs of teachers and how induction programs and programs to reach out to veteran teachers help keep teachers teaching Ronald Elliott Seminar will be held each semester throughout the year Research and current data on trends in new and veteran teacher mentoring programs Notes from the seminar will be documented. 5. Individual Interviews with select group of veteran teachers participating in peer coaching  program Compile data that will be used in final action report. This will hopefully also verbally demonstrate to teachers the effectiveness of peer coaching Ronald Elliott Interviews will take place over the course of the year to see how peer process is working Interview questions. Heavy on Dana text examples. Notes from interviews will be collected and compared with each other. 6. All new teachers or teachers with less than 5 years experience will be interviewed to see how mentoring process is progressing Compile data that will be used in final action report. This will hopefully also verbally demonstrate to teachers the effectiveness of peer mentoring Ronald Elliott Interviews will take place throughout the year Selected Interview questions; Microsoft Word and Excel Data collected from interviews will be compiled in final report 7. Observe veteran teacher peer coaching meeting Collect data for final action research presentation Ronald Elliott Observations will be conducted throughout the year Notes from previous observations to compare;  Microsoft Word and Excel Data collected from observations will be compiled in final report 8. Observe peer mentoring between veteran and beginning teachers Collect data for final action research presentation Ronald Elliott Observations will be conducted throughout the year Notes from previous observations to compare;  Microsoft Word and Excel Data collected from observations will be compiled in final report 9. Continuing educational research on trends in induction programs as well as the effectiveness of peer coaching/mentoring programs Build professional library on current trends in education. Also will be using the data collected to make compelling arguments for my claims during my action research presentation Ronald Elliott Research will be conducted throughout the action research process Internet, educational journals, data collected;  Microsoft Word and Excel compiled data will be added to final report. 10. Reflections from veteran teacher peer coaching interviews and observations Compile data that will be used in final action research report Ronald Elliott, Site Supervisor Reflections will be done monthly, at the end of each semester. Past Microsoft Word and Excel documents, notes from interviews and observations Reflections from peer coaching throughout the research process will allow me to constantly evaluate the effectiveness of the program 11. Reflections from new teachers on the effectiveness of the peer mentoring program Compile data that will be used in final action research report Ronald Elliott, Site Supervisor Reflection will be done monthly, at the end of each semester and before final action research is presented Past Microsoft Word and Excel documents, notes from interviews and observations Reflections from peer mentoring throughout the research process will allow me to constantly evaluate the effectiveness of the program 12. Action Research Report Culmination of all data collected from interviews, surveys, observations and continuing research that will be presented to faculty Ronald Elliott The final report will be done by end of school year. All collected data, research and findings. Microsoft PPT, Word and Excel documents This will be a culmination of my action research topic.

Blogging'can it help our Leadership of today'

Blogs are powerful and could be used by leaders in many ways. First, it provides an opportunity for leaders to be connected to our youngsters of today and what is going on outside the box. Often, time and distance can cause isolation for leaders, but blogs that can be accessed 24 hours a day from practically anywhere in the world can allow leaders to overcome isolation and be connected with others at anytime and anywhere. Also, blogs can be utilized as a place for reflection or a place to "think out loud." Making the reflection process public will allow others to comment or share valuable ideas. Third, blogs can be used as a  form of communication. Leaders can utilize blogs to communicate with parents, community and staff.

Action Research 'what I have learned'

With reading I have found that Action research is a powerful tool that can be utilized by educational leaders, including teachers, principals, and district coordinators alike. Action research is a systematic approach, much like a doctor'sapproach to dealing with a patient experiencing symptoms, which allows leaders an opportunity to actively seek out answers to questions and then reflect and make changes in regards to their findings. Action research helps leaders to get in the trenches on their quest for knowledge and answers, because of their commitment to the organization, they are more likely to implement and sustain any needed changes.

I will use action research in my studies and as a teacher. I  will continuously seek out ways of improving student achievement. Specifically, I believe I can utilize action research to develop a plan to encourage students to be better problem solvers. I find myself often turning to tecnology to gain insight on problem solving and strategies that might or might not help the students I teach. Although this can be helpful, I realize if I spent more time in the inside collecting and analyzing data, I would probably gain a better insight as to what changes I can make that will help me better serve my students.