Action Research Reflection

Action research is a valuable tool that allows for administrative leaders to reflect on problems and issues in their schoolhouse and determine the best course of action based on internal expertise, instead of relying on outside sources for quick and impersonalized fixes. By utilizing action research in schools, principals can develop a more meaningful relationship with their coworkers, peers, and students as they turn to them for shared observations. By drawing the principal out of isolation and into an active engagement with the rest of the school with the shared goal of creating collaborative solutions to problems, the principal is able to draw on all the expertise available at his/her school, and make the best decisions while encouraging best practices. Not only does action research encourage best practices within the school or district, it also creates an environment fueled by learning. This provides sustained and invaluable personal growth for any leader, and also inspires the entire school community to become master learners. Lastly, action research is important because it affords leaders the opportunity to act instead of react to problems as they occur. Reflecting and using the inquiry process prepares administrators to think more deeply about problems, and therefore leads to more sound, long lasting, and adaptive solutions.

I feel action research can benefit me in the classroom, and on my track to become an administrative leader, by encouraging me to look more deeply into the issues in my school and classroom and then practice making decisions collaboratively based on the internal expertise my coworkers and mentors can offer. I feel it is an invaluable tool to me because it will not only teach me to be a better thinker and learner, but it will also lead to the circulation of best practices in every part of my professional and personal life.