Amazing! When you create a “back porch” with our whole group, the discussion takes on a whole new meaning! In today’s class, we were able to peel away many of the layers of concerns which have “plagued” my teacher leadership students. Last class, we discussed the concerns of over-utilization/under-utilization of teacher leaders at each of the partnership schools. However, during this class session, I wanted to take the feelings of frustration and shift the climate to a more proactive approach in the form of inquiry. According to Yendol-Hoppey and Dana (2010), “Teacher Inquiry…is a way…to continue growing as a teacher…is defined as systematic, intentional study by teachers of their own classroom practice…by posing questions or ‘wonderings’, collecting data to gain insights into their wonderings, analyzing the data along with reading relevant literature, making changes in practice based on new understandings developed during inquiry, and sharing findings with others…is not something I do; it is more a part of the way I think. Inquiry involves exciting and meaningful discussions with colleagues about the passions we embrace in our profession.” I wanted my students to understand the way in which we can use inquiry to develop professionally and to affect change within our schools (as well as across the partnership).
I then posed our teacher leadership inquiry question and asked for the class to re-examine it by creating questions which will help us uncover the layers of what it means to be a part of the partnership, as a collaborating teacher and as a teacher leader. We decided to take these questions, create a survey, and send it out to all instructional stakeholders in our partnership schools (both collaborating teachers and non-collaborating teachers). Over the next month, students will collect data from these surveys and we will begin to analyze the data - eventually making claims that will lead us to our goal - a true action plan for professional development! I’m starting to feel it… I hope my students do to… Until next time...
I then posed our teacher leadership inquiry question and asked for the class to re-examine it by creating questions which will help us uncover the layers of what it means to be a part of the partnership, as a collaborating teacher and as a teacher leader. We decided to take these questions, create a survey, and send it out to all instructional stakeholders in our partnership schools (both collaborating teachers and non-collaborating teachers). Over the next month, students will collect data from these surveys and we will begin to analyze the data - eventually making claims that will lead us to our goal - a true action plan for professional development! I’m starting to feel it… I hope my students do to… Until next time...