Improving Teacher Practice Through Intentional Group Action Research

• In Event: Roundtable Session 19
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Research: Communities of Practice as a Tool for Teacher Empowerment

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to inspire teachers to voluntarily meet in order to improve their teaching practice through group action research. Educators need to work together and consistently seek ways to find balance within the rigid and unjust curriculum imposed and sustained through sanctions based solely on standardized test scores. This action research group, composed of five very diverse members within the educational field, met once a month to explore their own questions and seek support in their practice. The themes that emerged from the data showed group members were providing each other the confidence to make big and small changes in their practice and sustained solidarity in the work against the oppressive facets of schooling.

Authors

• Annie Adamian, University of San Francisco

• Kris Calderon, Gray Avenue Middle School

• Karen McCutcheon Schreder, Chico Christian

• Ann K. Schulte, California State University - Chico

• Kile Taylor, Hamilton Elementary