Traditional staff development involves administrators negotiating “dilemmas framed by outside experts and asked to implement with fidelity a curriculum designed by those outside their school” (Dana, 2009). In essence, the teacher has a limited role in the research process where “the voices of the people who work in the trenches of the school building on a daily basis” (p. 5) are not heard or recognized.
An administrator who conducts action research regularly, in lieu of only participating in traditional staff development, will not only continue to grow as a leader, but will facilitate growth within the campus. Action research is a combination of making time for reflection, making changes based on the reflection, and collaborating with other professionals (p. 16). It requires principals to be engaged with their teachers, become role models for life-long learning, and support best practices for teaching and learning. Inquiry allows time for the administrator to build relationships, both inside the campus with the faculty, as well as outside the campus with other administrators. Connecting the appropriate action research with campus improvement needs will allow the administrator to focus and reflect on campus structures, needs of the teachers, and student needs. Administrators can also utilize this time for reflection to examine their own leadership abilities and actions (p.19). All in all, action research, or inquiry, is a win-win for all parties involved—especially the students.
Honestly, I had never thought of blogging as a means for journaling. I can see how this social media tool would allow administrators to collaborate without stepping foot off from their campus. Just as it is important for teachers to have an opportunity to discuss issues with other teachers, I believe it is also important for principals to have the same opportunity with their peers. Through blogging, documents, information, pictures, and stories, can be shared easily with a click of a button. My only concern with blogging is that once something is written, it can be subpoenaed for the Open Records Act. I say this because the journal entry on pages 88-89 in the Dana text (2009) refers to a student, David Smith, and considering the first and last name are used, I’m pretty certain confidentiality would be breached for this student. I am always very cautious about typing my thoughts and sharing them on the web. These are just thoughts to consider.
References:
Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
