My action research project is
“Will Implementing New Classroom Management Techniques Improve Our Staff’s
Morale?” I attended the training this
summer in Denver along with my principal and a colleague. We learned a great deal in three days and
were very invigorated to get this ball rolling!
My colleague and I presented the first module of the program during an hour-long
after school workshop. We then invited
teachers to sign up for the next training session in October. As of today, we have 27 people signed
up! I am really surprised at the
positive feedback I’m hearing. Our
teachers are actually using some of the techniques in their classrooms and are
experiencing success.
I have gathered last year’s
discipline referrals and counted them. Currently,
we have seen a lower amount of referrals compared to this time last year. Our assistant principal seems pleased with
the time he has for other things now.
My principal decided against
forming a new discipline committee, so I will have to delete that from my
action plan. We are using the people who
have volunteered to attend further training as a PLC, rather than a
committee. We feel that this will serve
our staff and students much better. I
liked this idea because these teachers are part of this professional learning
community on a volunteer basis, not a mandate.
Sometimes when one is asked to serve on a committee it may be considered
as a waste of time. However, this way,
having the option to attend training or not, makes the PLC a more positive learning
experience.
I have scheduled one workshop
per month to teach the classroom management techniques, as suggested by the
program’s authors, Jim Fay and Dr. Charles Fay.
I am really feeling good about this action research project and the increase
in our staff’s morale already. It’s off
to a great start!
