Updated Action Research Plan

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Updates to my Plan

After my interview with my site-supervisor, I will no longer be exploring the idea of incentive pay for mentors. Neither of us really felt additional pay would improve the quality of mentors and financially, it is highly unlikely our district would ever consider adopting a proposal for incentive pay. I will post a revised plan soon. Would love to hear comments!

Action Reserch Plan Updated

1. Setting the Foundation – After an end-of-year mentor meeting last year, there were obvious concerns about the lack of structure for our new teacher mentor program. My principal also felt the program needed improvements and encouraged me to use my internship as an opportunity to grow the program.

2. Analyzing Data – Gather information about our current new teacher mentor program. Google new teacher mentor programs at other schools. Create a list of new teachers and their assigned mentors. Contact our region's alternative certification program to identify strategies they use. Analyze the length of term new teachers stay within our district.

3. Developing Deeper Understanding – Interview principal to determine if incentive pay is given to mentors. Interview new teachers to identify what additional support they need. Based on interviews of teachers and findings from my research, create an on-going list of possible topics for mentors and new teachers to explore. Research ways the administrative team can help support new teachers.

4. Engage in Self-Reflection
• Realistically, how much time can a mentor devote to a new teacher?
• Can schedules be arranged so they have a common planning period?
• Should incentive pay be used or are volunteer mentors more effective?
• If incentive pay is used, should there be guidelines that must be met to receive it?
• Is there any budget money for a mentor get-together of some sort each semester?

5. Exploring Patterns – Time is so precious to teachers that asking master teachers to also volunteer to mentor is a big imposition. The time needs to be structured enough to create quality discussions but not just busy-work. Incentive pay would help compensate for added time but may create tension between veteran teachers. Most agree that a list of school resources would be helpful to new teachers. A list of possible discussion topics was also positively received.

6. Determining Direction
1. Improve new teacher mentor program
2. Mentors and new teachers have common planning time
3. New teachers aware of available resources and where to find them
4. Continually interview teachers and mentors about needed improvements
5. On-going list of discussion topics and available resources
6. Will take at least a year to research and conduct interviews; could take two to three years to select and implement strategies; analyzing data about length of stay could take five years or more
7. Surveys will need to be administered at least once a semester

7. Taking Action – Would like to identify a committee of master teachers to help create a unified mentor program. Perhaps there is some quality professional development that committee members could get to help improve mentor strategies. Identify components of our current program. Through research and interviews, identify other successful strategies that we could implement. Create a list of new teacher concerns and possible discussion topics.

8. Sustain Improvement – Share our successful techniques with other campuses. Perhaps create a district-wide committee dedicated to supporting new teachers. Create a web log for others to post ideas and suggestions as well as sharing success stories.

Action Research Plan

Teacher Mentor - Voluntary or Paid Position

I would love to hear comments about whether the position of new teacher mentor is a paid or voluntary position at your school. In my district, mentors are only paid if they are an assigned mentor through a region's alternative certification program. I know that money can be a good motivator, but I am hoping to discover there are other ways of encouraging and gaining participation without incentive pay. I feel volunteering for a position like this really shows personal interest and a willingness to help a new teacher. Thanks!

Action Research Study Topic

I was originally going to research the significance of technology, but I don't feel the natural curiosity towards that. I am changing the focus of my research to teacher mentor programs.

The purpose of my research study will be to identify characteristics of a successful teacher mentor program and the effects on student success and teacher retention.

Teachers that are new to the profession or just new to our campus should benefit from added lines of communication. Teachers will have a knowledgeable mentor to direct questions toward and receive information. Teachers will be aware of and have access to school resources. Teachers will feel supported and not isolated. A successful teacher mentor program will improve the quality and increase the length of a teacher's career.

I would love to hear from anyone that has a successful teacher mentor program at their school Thanks!

Educators Using Blogs

Educators can use blogs as a way to share information. Teachers can share sequencing and lesson ideas, as well as problems and suggestions. Administrators can get suggestions and identify successful programs and strategies from schools throughout the country. Educators are no longer limited to "in-district" resources and can reach out to other educators for support and ideas.

Action Research

Action research is a process for solving a problem that cyclically addresses identifying an issue , a strategy for improving or resolving the issue and reflection about whether the strategy was successful and what, if any, issues still remain. Inquiry-based strategies are directly related to the organization because they are developed and processed from within the organization, rather than traditional methods that involved an outsiders perspective.

Principal inquiries are a "toll for achieving professional growth and educational reform" (Dana 2009). It allows principals to work collaboratively with other administrators or teachers to solve problems while modeling effective leadership and continual learning.

I believe I can use action research anytime I implement or prepare to implement a significant change. Our school recently began an after-school tutoring program. An inquiry-based study would allow us to identify problems with the program and reflect upon its effectiveness with regards to passing percentages and standardized testing.

Our school is also looking to update the technology in our classrooms. An action research would allow us to identify problems and needs relevant to our particular teachers. The inside perspective would also help increase the teacher commitment to use the new equipment.

Action research seems like such a logical process that is could be used in almost any circumstance. The extra time and energy required to develop the process and strategy would help lead to quality decisions for our school.


Fichman, Nancy Dana (2009). Leading With Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA; Corwin Press.