Lessons Learned - Week 2

The video interviews with leading Texas educators was of benefit to me. From Dr. Briseno, I learned that a leader must make decisions based on quantitative data. In other words, numbers don’t lie, and data must be the most important information from which to make decisions. As well, I came to know that teachers training other teachers is the most palatable way for faculty members to receive staff development. Dr. Briseno insisted that most teachers do not want to learn about teaching methods from administrators or principals. And, finally, I learned that if one has an area of interest for action research, it is important to tap into the wealth of information available and read up on the topic. The Internet and educational journals are a great place to generate ideas to help solve one’s own problems.

From Dr. Lewis, I have come to understand that a hot topic for action research is in the area of staff development. He stated that changing the delivery of instruction was the most important change necessary in his district. As well, I learned that making the core curriculum more rigorous and relevant for students is of utmost importance. Students require a curriculum that will help them to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them, and, an improved curriculum must have as its goal the development of students’ critical thinking skills. Finally, I learned that reading research that others have provided about specific topics is important when one is thinking about one’s own areas of concern. However, Dr. Lewis maintained that, in order to truly increase student achievement, one must find and apply the practical information from action research that will be useful to one’s district, school or classroom.