Reflections from the Week

I attended quite a few "back to school" staff development sessions this week. I decided to get some feedback during and after the sessions to get a feel for the general attitude prior to beginning my research project. I, of course, had my own opinions on the set up and delivery of the staff development. It was in a large auditorium with a speaker system that was on the fritz, as usual. We viewed about 100 power point slides, read several articles, and reflected with our table. 

Sound familiar? I have attended sessions like these my entire teaching career and always find I learn more about the people I sit next to then what the session is about! The feedback from the session was on par with my feelings: sitting for too long, went through the slides too quickly, could not hear, etc. 

After the session, I decided to call a friend who led a similar staff development the week before. I wanted to get an honest opinion for the reasoning behind this set-up. I explained to her the kinds of activities we did, and how the learning did not transfer this way. She was so surprised, because she did not do any of those things and had a very successful staff development! I was very curious now.....

She integrated Pinterest, team planning, lots of music throughout the day. It sounded like a blast! Of course, she is a veteran kindergarten teacher and is a master at entertaining. However, all these things were in line with the new generation of teachers and engaging. This gave me a great starting point for my research. Although I cannot follow both groups back to their classrooms to see if they implement their learning, I can predict what types of staff developments will most likely promote this action. 

Action Research Plan- Final

Outcomes Activities Resources/ Research needed Person(s) responsible Timeline Evaluation Set the foundation by meeting with my site supervisor to obtain permission to complete project -Meet with my site supervisor to discuss my action plan K. Azanza, Site Supervisor Aug. 13-17, 2012 Feedback from site supervisor Analyze data for patterns - Collect and Analyze classroom data from each grade level - 2011-2012 EOY LA and Math Scores - District 9 week assessments K. Azanza (Project Leader) Aug-Sep. 2012 Data Analysis will compare classrooms. Developing a deeper understanding by gathering more specific research on effective staff development - Research forms of effective staff development Internet/ access to Library resources K. Azanza (Project Leader) Aug-Sep. 2012 - Literature on staff development Analyze Data surveying current classroom teachers on the attitude and effectiveness of staff development - Survey staff – Pre and Post Staff Development - Collect and Analyze data. - Find two teachers to follow who participate in staff development and two who feel it is ineffective to interview Staff surveys (survey monkey) K. Azanza (Project Leader) Aug-Sept 2011 Completed surveys and identified subjects for interviews Developing a deeper understanding by interviewing selected teachers Interview four teachers one on one to understand how staff development has or hasn’t affected their teaching Interview time K. Azanza (Project Leader) Oct. 2012-Nov. 2012 Four interviews completed Explore Programmatic Patterns  by observing staff development planning - Observe the planning of an in-service or faculty meeting by administration -Debrief with site supervisor after the staff development to gain an insight on if she feels it was effective Data/ observations K. Azanza (Project Leader), Site Supervisor Oct. 2012-Dec. 2012 Reflection notes and debriefing with site supervisor Determine Direction: Attend February Conference sessions with selected staff members -Attend curriculum based sessions February Conference handouts, notes K. Azanza Feb. 2013 A plan for implementation of curriculum ideas in the classroom Taking Action: Assist in Planning and Leading Staff Development Implement new staff development techniques based on findings -Survey campus post staff development for changes in effectiveness Data/research Findings K. Azanza (Project Leader) Jan. 2013- Mar. 2013 Survey results, effective staff development Taking Action: Observe the implementation of February Conference sessions -Schedule time to observe classrooms that have implemented ideas taken from February Conference K. Azanza, classroom teachers Feb. 2013-Apr. 2013 -February Conference session handouts, purpose of implementation Self-Reflection- Skills/ resources assessment - Reflect on whether I/ we have the skills and resources necessary to complete the action plan. Action Plan K. Azanza, Site Supervisor Apr. 2013 Continuation with project based on reflection and feedback Sustaining Improvement: Share findings -Share the results of the Action Research plan during a faculty meeting Action Plan K. Azanza, Site Supervisor Apr. 2013-June 2013 Faculty meeting is successful

Action Research DRAFT

All feedback is appreciated, thanks!

Action Planning Template
Goal: To explore the connection between staff development and student achievement.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Survey the campus before and after a staff development on information presented Outcome: Understand the campus attitude towards staff development	Katy Azanza	Aug. 2012-May 2013	-Survey -Permission from site supervisor	I will be able to answer these questions following the survey: What is the overall opinion by the campus of our staff development? Do they feel it will affect their classrooms?
Select a group of teachers based on site supervisor’s recommendations and survey results who are strong participants of staff development, and/or feel staff development is a chore. Outcome: Understand the level of implementation by each teacher of staff development information	Katy Azanza	Aug. 2012-May 2013	-One on one interview -time for classroom observations -9 wks. LA Data	Evaluate interviews with teachers and analyze variations in class data, Is there a difference in student achievement?
Observe administration planning for staff development Outcome: Understand the process of planning for a staff development and what the expectations are for the session	Katy Azanza	Aug 2012-Dec. 2012	-time for observation	Debrief with site supervisor after planning, What is her objective of this staff development and what is guiding it?
Research data from online resources Outcome: Understand history behind effective staff development	Katy Azanza	Aug 2012-May 2013	-access to internet	Share findings with site supervisor and potentially lead a successful staff development based on what I have learned
Attend curriculum based sessions during February conference with campus members, survey afterwards Outcome: Understand the opinion of the sessions by my campus and probability of implementation into classroom	Katy Azanza	Feb. 2013-May 2013	-Survey -Classroom observations	After attending the conference, identify through observations and interviews: What causes the teachers to bring what they learned into the classroom?