My action research wondering is "How can professional development be improved to ensure success for new teachers?" Many new teachers leave campuses and districts due to the lack of support they receive from principals and veteran teachers. New teachers need support of administrators and mentors to help them to be successful from their first day on campus.
Description of the Context or Setting Study:
My action research will be district wide. I am working with our Technology Director to find out if professional development can be structured in such a way to support new teachers. She has tried to pair new teachers with mentors at the school in they work. She has also made sure the mentor and mentee teach the same subject. This is a year long project. We are anxious to see the impact this study will make on new teachers and how it will help mentors.
Target Population:
The target population is new teachers, with 2 years or less teaching experience in the district. The action research is voluntary, no money or stipend will be available.
Sample Selection:
Fifty teachers were selected for the study, one mentor per new teacher. New teachers were called or sent an e-mail inviting them to take part in the research. Mentors were invited to take part via the same method. The way I found out about the research is by accident. I needed help on the Web design assignment and went to talk to our Technology Director. She asked if I would help and be a part of the study.
Rational for Sample Size:
The sample size represents at least two teachers (our campus is larger, so we have more participants) from each campus, at this time. It can be expanded is more express interest in the study. Again, there is no money or stipend involved, strictly voluntary.
How Research will be Conducted:
We have made a commitment of 72 hours for the study. This includes meeting once a month, meetings between mentee and mentor on their campus, mentors visiting mentees in their classroom for support, completing surveys, and viewing and commenting on selected videos either at meetings or at home. There is a site for the study (being updated by the Technology Director with help from me) that is available for participants, and ultimately for the any interested person once research if completed.
I am a Web Technologies teacher. I created this blog as part of my Master of Education in Educational Technology Leadership for Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas.
