ERIC Number: EJ1389056
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Feb
Pages: 28
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2470-6353
Teacher Inquiry: A Catalyst for Professional Development
Stebick, Divonna; Hart, Jonathan; Glick, Lauren; Kindervatter, Jaime; Nagel, Jenna; Patrick, Cathy
Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research, v24 n1 Article 6 Feb 2023
Teachers seek and require meaningful professional development opportunities to truly grow in the profession. Teacher inquiry, or teacher research, is one way to accomplish professional development goals. Teacher inquiry is thought of as individualized, personalized, and meaningful professional development (Cochran-Smith & Lytle, 1999). In this paper we articulate the learning of a cohort of certificated professionals engaged in a year-long project that included asking research questions, designing data collection tools, and developing an independent study to examine their questions. Nine certificated professionals participated in the year-long project representing various grade levels and experiences. Data was collected through teacher reflections and professional development evaluations. The findings indicated that a trusting, supportive environment is paramount in developing a culture of inquiry. Further learning shows us that peer collaboration promotes professional growth when exploring individual projects. This paper furnishes further evidence of the importance of teaching inquiry in schools and provides a sample structure for schools wishing to develop a practice of teacher inquiry.
Descriptors: Reflective Teaching, Inquiry, Faculty Development, Teacher Collaboration, Teacher Researchers, Educational Environment, Trust (Psychology), Andragogy, Teacher Administrator Relationship, Learning Experience
New Prairie Press, Kansas State University Libraries. 137 Hale Library, Manhattan, KS 66506. e-mail: nppress@ksu.edu; Web site: http://newprairiepress.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A