The most powerful component of engaging in the teacher research for the inquirers I coached this year is see the teacher excited about reasearch. I believe that they were so excited because they were in control of their own professional development through the inquiry that was picked by them because of the relevance to their students. I believe that the teacher inquiry has impacted students positively because all of the teachers were able to show growth in their inquiry. I believe that data collection and ananlysis is a key part to the inquiry. I think that teachers often engage in trying new things to improve their students, but rarely do they collect the data needed to see if it really made impact on their students. Also, the opportunity to share and the learn from others was powerful. While at the showcase, I noticed that my teachers chose to go to see presentations that we similiar to theirs or something that they've want to try next year. It is interesting to see them want to learn from others' experiences and use that knowledge in their own classroom. I have throughly enjoyed working with my group of teachers this year. Their passion about improving their students learning is contagious. The communication we had throughout the year was truly valuable; I felt that we had our own teacher community and were able to turn to each other in need. Next year I hope to continue the process and foster more learning communities through teacher inquiry.

I have enjoyed working with everyone this year.

Alissa

 The most powerful component of engaging in the teacher research for the inquirers I coached this year is see the teacher excited about reasearch. I believe that they were so excited because they were in control of their own professional development through the inquiry that was picked by them because of the relevance to their students. I believe that the teacher inquiry has impacted students positively because all of the teachers were able to show growth in their inquiry. I believe that data collection and ananlysis is a key part to the inquiry. I think that teachers often engage in trying new things to improve their students, but rarely do they collect the data needed to see if it really made impact on their students. Also, the opportunity to share and the learn from others was powerful. While at the showcase, I noticed that my teachers chose to go to see presentations that we similiar to theirs or something that they've want to try next year. It is interesting to see them want to learn from others' experiences and use that knowledge in their own classroom. I have throughly enjoyed working with my group of teachers this year. Their passion about improving their students learning is contagious. The communication we had throughout the year was truly valuable; I felt that we had our own teacher community and were able to turn to each other in need. Next year I hope to continue the process and foster more learning communities through teacher inquiry.

I have enjoyed working with everyone this year.

Alissa

The Inquiry Showcase was wonderful. Out of 7 teachers from Lafayette,5 of them were first year presenters and they had an awesome experience. Saturday went so smoothly and was inspiring. I again enjoyed attending and being a part of such a wonderful event.

My teachers and I took our substitute day recently to work on our inquiry project. We were able to meet together in our conference room and continue to discuss directions we needed to go for our presentations. We were able to have our mobile cart with lap tops so that those who were working on a Power Point could do that with their time. Everyone in my group is feeling confident about their presentation and is getting geared up for the showcase. Also, they shared their excitement about getting to see some of the other presetation that they read about in the showcase maual. 

Here are Lafayette County's titles and abstracts.I am getting excited just reading the other presenters' abstracts. There are such great titles and topics.

Alissa

Happy March!

I am just touching base with everyone. Inquiries here in Lafayette County are on schedule. We had our data analysis meeting last week. Everyone is excited as their data shows solid proof of improvement with the interventions they have been doing with their students.

I have to admit that at first yesterday morning I was feeling overwhelmed. As a first year teacher inquiry facilitator I am still having concerns about my little corner of the world and here I find myself sitting with a group of teachers trying to develop a way to change the way in which policies are made. Then I felt honored to be a part of such a group and I aspire to be an asset to this goal.  I truly believe that teacher inquiry is a worthy process that can change the way teachers and schools make their decisions about best practices.

The data analysis protocol was very powerful to me. I wish that I was able to have experienced it in person. The scenario is very helpful though.  I am looking forward to trying this procedure with my group.

Something I am looking forward to when we meet on January 22 is also reassurance that my local meetings are going as well as I feel. My teachers are all on board and continually giving their attention to their inquiries. When we came back from Christmas break my teachers and myself shared with our faculty what inquiries we were working on this year. Many of them gave positive and encouraging words to the other teachers that they too should join in teacher inquiry. I also am looking forward to reconnecting with the group, getting some more information about the Showcase, and making sure that we are well prepared.

I'll see everyone Tuesday!

One aspect of my first local meeting, (developing your wondering), is that I was pleased that all of my teachers came ready with a concern and a wondering. We took turns sharing ours wonderings and the group helped fine tuned the wording of the wonderings. We also discussed directions for the teachers to take in putting their inquiry into action and how to appropriately collect data. I was tickled when a few days later one of my teachers came to my office and said, "I am changing my inquiry." Her reading class had changed a few students and she said that she now saw a larger need. We talked about that is what a good teacher does, they inquire on the biggest need of their students. As their students change or grow, our methods have to change or grow.

One question about teacher inquiry that emerged for members of my group as a result of our first meeting is if a teacher is using a program or teacher material that has already been researched and proven is that really teacher inquiry?? For example, one of my teachers wants to use poetry to increase her students' fluency. She was going to use a book, "Poetry Partners." Can she use this book as part of her inquiry?? We discussed that teacher inquirers are not required to reinvent the wheel, but we are still fuzzy. Please give us your thoughts.

I just wanted to report, even though I am so late in doing so, that the Kick-off was great. My teachers really enjoyed what they had learned, and walked away saying, "I can do that!" This was a great way to explain what teacher inquiry, and to show what is expected.

The word I would use to describe how I feel about participating in our inquiry facilitator on-line learning community is relieved. The reason I chose this word is this is my first year as a facilitator and I feel relieved that I have access to a learning community to learn from and be able to ask questions.