The partnership continues to manage and teach the courses to urban and rural teachers throughout the state of Utah. Presently, we are working with a beginning teachers cohort. Professional development is sustained within a community of learners focused on studying and discussing teaching and schooling practices. Professional development should allow educators the opportunity to generate meaningful and passionate questions and pursue those questions within an atmosphere of support and knowledge of the action research process. Learning the action research process requires sustained instruction by competent teachers, application of knowledge and skills by interested educators, and a community of learners involving participants and instructors.
Action research is both exciting and painful.
There are no right, common or easy answers. The teacher empowerment is breath-taking.