At the end of last week, I had a major change take place not only within my action research plan, but within my internship program overall. I received a call from our superintendent asking me to move from the high school to the elementary as an assistant principal. Also, she let me know that she was wanting to take over as my site supervisor because she wanted to mentor me herself.
Of course, I immediately agreed to her request and thanked her for the opportunity. I then shared with her both my internship plan and my action research plan. She approved of both and commented that both were excellent and just what our district needs.
As to revising the action research plan, I don't have to make any major changes. I will simply use Grade 3-6 students as my sample group, instead of Grades 9-11.
One thing that I have learned this week, after immediately going back to work on Monday unexpectedly, is that I have to schedule time to focus on my action research plan and to reflect. The minute I stepped foot on the campus, I was rushed with issues that needed to be addressed before I even unloaded my boxes out of the car. In the midst of packing up my old classroom, setting up my office, and every other task given to me this week I have had to juggle time to be able to reflect. I realize that, through trial by fire, I need to tackle time management before it runs me over. I have started to work on time management by creating a prioritized to-do list and blocking off time for certain activities on my calendar. One of these must-have time slots is dedicated to reflection.
Already, by scheduling time for reflection, my focus has become clearer. Out of this reflection, I have decided that part of my data analysis would be to examine the academic vocabulary contained in the actual STAAR test questions. The timing could not have been better since TEA just released last year's STAAR test.
I will share what I have discovered from my viewing the released tests as soon as I have completed the task.
Yes, that is a major change, but what an honor. Obviously your new mentor knows you are capable, and you are really going to get some on the job training. I am glad that you did not have to completely change all your plans. I will keep checking back to see how your vocabulary action research develops. Blessings in your new job!
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