Surviving and Thriving with Teacher Action Research: Reflections and Advice from the Field

Action research can be a transformative learning experience that strengthens educators’ practice and empowers our voices. For the novice action researcher, however, it can sometimes be frustrating, isolating, and overwhelming. Surviving and Thriving with Teacher Action Research is an outstanding companion for educators embarking on the action research journey. The book shares the collected wisdom of more than thirty experienced teacher researchers. Designed to guide readers through the research process, the book is divided into five sections that reflect critical components of action research: developing a research question, designing a plan, engaging student voice, implementing the research process, analyzing data and sharing results. Relevant for both novice and seasoned action researchers, Surviving and Thriving is perfect for use in graduate education coursework, among professional learning communities, or by teachers embarking on action research independently. The text design, which includes introductory statements and guiding questions for each section, allows the book to stand alone as a guide for action research or it can serve as an outstanding complement to a more traditional, procedurally focused action research methods textbook.

Heather Lattimer, EdD, is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Learning and Teaching at the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego. She has earned degrees from Harvard College, Stanford University, and the University of California, San Diego.
Stacey Caillier, PhD, is Director of the Center for Research on Equity and Innovation at the High Tech High Graduate School of Education. She has earned degrees from Willamette University and the University of California, Davis.