Ready for the future...

During the last three weeks of this course, every time I felt like I was done drafting my plan I would read someone else’s template on their blog or another chapter in our text and realize I could do so much more.  I really enjoyed being able to read other students’ comments and concerns on our discussion board throughout this process.  When I started my first course, I will admit that I thought having to comment on the other students’ discussion postings may be busy work.  I can see now how much my work has benefited from these comments and I am very grateful for everyone's input.  I know I will continue to make changes and improvements to my plan, but I am confident in what I have put together so far.  I think the biggest challenge for me will be making reflections consistently.  I have multiple jobs and a three year old so life can get pretty crazy; I will definitely need to have a scheduled time once a week for reflection.  Otherwise, I’m afraid the end result will not reflect the hard work put into the project.
 
What I've loved most about this course is not only am I getting the opportunity to solve a very real issue in my program, but throughout the few meetings I've had concerning my project I have opened up so many more "wonderings" to explore.  I am meeting with professionals on campus that I otherwise would have not had the opportunity to meet, and learned about projects they are working on that I can apply to my program.  It is very exciting for me to be able to apply what I am learning in school to my job; I feel like this is going to be a huge year for growth in myself and my team.

I would like to be able to learn more about collecting data in a team situation.  I picked a subject for my project where students' grades will be the main form of data, but if I apply this type of research more often to my program I will have to incorporate data that is not as concrete, and maybe takes a little more explaining.

To learn more about this I am planning on networking as much as possible with coaches from other Division I Universities and using the AACCA website as a reference.  In the future, I would like to be able to attend coaching seminars and workshops that I haven't been able to before due to budget issues.

Action research requires us to look for change, instead of waiting for it to happen on its own.  And it demands that we continue to grow as teachers and leaders for the benefit of our students.