Interview Reflections

I really enjoyed Dr. Johnny Briseno interview. Dr. Briseno spoke about how his campus is very data driven; they always need to know why something is the way it is. I really like how Dr. Briseno allows his staff to collect qualitative data as well. Qualitative data is data from the student’s life. For instance, questions like “what is going on at the student’s home” or “how is the student feeling this week.” I believe these types of questions and answers factor into the student’s success on a test. In other words, maybe the student’s mom just had a new baby and the baby was up all night screaming and crying. As a result of the new baby, the student did not get a good night sleep and therefore, could not concentrate on the test and failed. I believe this information should factor in when it comes to looking at the data on this student. I also enjoyed Dr. Briseno’s idea of “sharing what works.” Dr. Briseno mentioned that when one of his staff members finds something new that works, he asks that staff member to share it with the entire staff rather than him sharing the information. I like how Dr. Briseno is allowing his staff to have ownership of their own hard work. High five to Dr. Briseno! The final thing Dr. Briseno shared in his interview is he told us not to shy away from reading about our interests. Dr. Briseno told us “not to reinvent the wheel.” We should read up on our problems and as a result, we could really help our campus.

Dr. Timothy Chargois’ interview is the other interview a learned a great deal of information from. Dr. Chargois spoke about some of the examples of action research studies that have been brought to him and his district; The Ethical Situations of Effective and Ineffective Teachers Project and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation Project. Dr. Chargois also spoke about the requirements he has when it comes to someone wanting to bring an action research study to his district. (I find this information very helpful for my future.) Dr. Chargois stated that for his district to even look at an action research study, he must first understand and see the change or changes the study will make to the students’ performance. From there, Dr. Chargois requires that the study protects the identity of the students and teachers, that the district has access to the results at the end, and that the study does not demean a campus or the district in any way. I find all of these requirements reasonable.  I feel as though Dr. Chargois is helping his district grow from action research studies as well as protecting his campus. Another idea Dr. Chargois spoke of in his interview, just like Dr. Briseno, was the idea of being very data driven. Dr. Chargois mentioned using data multiple times throughout his interview. Dr. Chargois wants all teachers, new and old, to be taught how to collect data and how to be data drive. At the end of his interview, Dr. Chargois’ advice to us was to never stop learning. In other words, just like Dr. Briseno, Dr. Chargois wants us to take part in local research and collect and use a lot of data. Dr. Chargois believes that every teacher should “have a concept of what research is.” I believe, after this class in my graduate school program, I will have a clear concept of what research truly is.