Action Research: How it relates to me

Okay, time for honesty! When I saw the word "research" as the title for this course, I immediately went into a "funk." Memories of past high school and undergraduate research papers and projects surfaced with their all too familiar pangs of what my father always called a case of the "DON'TS!" My insides were throwing a 2 year old's tantrum..."I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS!" Nevertheless, due to my untold years of maturity (LOL!) and submissive sense of responsibility, I caved and forced myself to begin reading the "Leading with Passion and Knowledge..." text.

After I was able to force my still rebellious brain to silence the "aftershocks" of its slowly retreating "fit," I suprisingly began to realize that "ACTION RESEARCH" was a seperate species and perhaps I was going to...might I say...ENJOY it, after all!

Though hesitant at first, I have given myself completely over to the premise of this course. Action research, or practitioner's inquiry (or whatever you want to call it) is incredibly captivating and completely necessary for every leader of any industry, let alone education. Not only is it necessary, but (is this just me?) I find it extremely practical, and dare I say, a "no brainer" for all those in leadership positions.

It is plainly put, an on-going inquiry that says, "I want to improve. I want my organization, my staff, my colleagues, my students, and myself to be the very best we can be. Therefore...what do I need to look at first to begin & continue this process? What types of strategies will best meet this need? How will it be implemented? How can I tell if my implementatation is effective? What types of tweaking do I need to do to make it better? Okay, now what? Where/what is the next issue we need to tackle?" And the cycle continues. It's never-ending. It's motivational in and of itself. It builds momentum, pride, camaraderie, community.

To quote my dad again..."NUFF SAID!"