The+Need+for+this+project

 The initial need for this project arose from our 2009 grade 5/6 attitude to schools survey data. While the data was an improvement on 2008, it was clear that in the areas of teacher empathy, teacher effectiveness and stimulating learning that our students rated us poorly (in the 25 percentile). To test the veracity of the Department's data, my team decided to rerun the survey in August using the same questions to ascertain whether the time of year made a difference to the results achieved. The team felt that while everyone across the state completed the survey in March, that the expectations of a new level might result in a level of anxiety expressed in the data. In August, the expectations of the year level would be clear to all students. Further by conducting our own survey, we could further break down the cohort. Is it a girl or boy problem? Is it a grade 5 or 6 concern. Are there issues for our transition programs to new year levels?

I will be refining my methodology in my action research project to clearly identify the areas we can mostly improve in and developing action implemetation strategies for my team to trial with the intention of improving our teaching practice. The impact of these strategies should hopefully be quantifiable in our data collection. The first tool I will employ will be shadowing, coaching and mentoring each participant in my team in 2009 and 2010. I will develop some questions and seek to get each member to honestly reflect on their teaching styles. In particular, I will ask them to consider:

 I will also be looking to interview each teacher in my team and through trust engage in the mutual goal of measurably improving teacher empathy in our cohort.
 * In what ways can we make time in the day to trial the empathetic strategies to improve student engagement and learning?
 * How can we show we support and value the abilities of each and every one of our students?
 * What detailed strategies can we trial in an endeavour to address the underlying concerns and lift our performance in relation to teacher empathy, teacher effectiveness and stimulating learning?