Action Research Update

This whole experience of pursuing my master’s in educational administration has been a world wind of emotions.  There have been times that I’ve felt overwhelmed by teaching and coaching while balancing the demands of course assignments and then there have been times that I’ve felt in control and organized and the realization of reaching this goal has seemed close.  I have been fortunate that my principal trusts me and has given me the opportunity to fill in for her and the other administrators when they have been out at district meetings or have been sick.  I feel that this hands on experience has been extremely valuable and has made me more aware of the multiple demands that an administrator must face on a daily basis.  As a result of these increased leadership opportunities I have not progressed as far on my action research project as I had planned. 
I have presented the research plan to the participating 7^th and 8^th grade teachers during a team meeting and they have completed the survey.  I have collected the surveys and I’m currently compiling a list of the results.  I still need to share the results of the survey with those that participated.  Next, I will ask a smaller size (approx-100) of students in 7^th and 8^th grade to take a survey in which they rank the top 10 positive relationship building methods that teachers currently use.  Then I will compile the results per grade level by calculating the average mean ranking for each positive relationship building method.  Finally,  to get back on track for the month of April I will review the results of the rankings with a small focus group comprised of 5 students at each grade level.  So far I have completed about 10 hours while implementing this project and probably have another 20 hours to go.  I am hopeful that I will get caught up this month and will get back on track.  The only changes that I will need to make to my action research plan is the month in which I will be completing the activity.