Teaching and Research

Before diving fully into my reflection on Research in Teaching, I would like to highlight my general perspective as a student-teacher. I consider research in the educational field to be a key component. This is because it is something we are constantly doing, as good educators must continually research and analyze while attending to and educating our students. I believe that only in this way can we ensure that students receive the best from us, that quality education which, unfortunately, is lacking a lot these days. As a student-teacher of English at the elementary level, I have had the opportunity to learn from both my students and from interacting with parents, teachers, and school staff. These experiences have enriched my understanding of the teaching process and motivated me to explore how research can influence the effectiveness of my educational work.

Similarly, in my work as a leadership group facilitator, I found a passion that eventually led me to discover a master’s program that, although not directly related to English education, will help me focus on my long-term goals. I mention this because part of what researching while teaching means to me includes my vision of both my present and future. By pursuing a master’s in Leadership in Educational Organizations, I could more concretely dedicate myself to research aimed at improving effective teaching methods and models. Meanwhile, as I approach completing my training, I recognize the importance of research to adapt to the ever-changing realities both inside and outside the classroom and the demands of leadership in education, as well as how teaching English as a second language can contribute to this. Therefore, in this reflection, I will focus on the key questions offered during the seminars on the importance and challenges of educational research, as well as the ethical considerations we must keep in mind in this process.

Starting with the reasons to research in the educational field, research in education is essential because it allows us to identify and solve real problems that arise during the teaching-learning process. I believe that reading and analyzing research, proposals, and other educational models are very important parts of the training process. However, there is no better way to verify this than through practice and the interpretation of personal experiences that arise when applying knowledge in the classroom. As a future educational leader, research will help me better understand how educational policies, teaching practices, and the school environment affect students. Moreover, it will allow me to do something that I consider most important but has been largely lost: innovating to create more inclusive and effective learning environments, something increasingly necessary but less often worked on by educators. This brings about a change we all know is needed, but few truly strive to achieve.

A key reason is that every school context is unique. For example, my experiences in my student-teaching classroom with my fifth-grade students likely differ greatly from those I’ve had with teenagers at work. Therefore, to make a true positive change, research and different perspectives are needed to adapt strategies to various student groups and developmental levels.

This is why, in answering the second question, the importance lies in how research helps improve educational quality by providing data and evidence on which methodologies are most effective and which need to be restructured or discarded because they no longer fit the realities of today’s children and youth. As a student-teacher, I have witnessed firsthand how each group has particular needs. Thanks to research and analysis, I have been able to begin developing strategies that better suit my students and, in the long term, influence changes at the institutional level. Additionally, researching education can contribute to the development of new pedagogical theories and promote more equitable practices for all students, especially those with special needs or at risk of exclusion.

This has been my belief since I decided at a very young age to dedicate myself to teaching. As a child, I could see how my classmates and I lost interest and motivation when we saw that the same things we were learning were being taught with the same books and evaluation methods as our parents had in elementary school. Even though neither our personal circumstances nor the environment around us were the same.

I am a firm believer that English is a language that opens doors and provides an advantage when developing personally and professionally. This is why, similarly, I believe that one of the correct focuses for research centered on learning is language. Some of the ways I could carry out research in my case would be to try different teaching techniques to ensure the best possible understanding of my subject. If a continuous action-research exercise is carried out in the classroom, focused on collaborative learning, one factor to evaluate could be the performance level and impact on students when they are faced with various collaborative tasks. Another way to conduct research in my field of study and teaching would be through systematic observations. This is something I currently do, as I observe my fifth-grade students in other classrooms, such as Spanish, Science, and Social Studies. This way, I ensure to integrate some topics and terms from other subjects into my classroom.

In the near future, I would like to begin integrating a method I use at work into my classroom. Although it may sound tedious or unnecessary, conducting surveys of students and parents is something that genuinely provides more information on how students perceive what is discussed in class and how parents support or don’t support the learning process at home. As a side note, unfortunately, I’ve noticed that the support and genuine concern from parents at home for their children are minimal or practically non-existent.

This connects with one of the many difficulties that can be encountered from my perspective as teacher under the Puerto Rico Department of Education when conducting educational research. In addition to time constraints, the lack of access to resources required to carry out proper research, the variability of school contexts, and the resistance to change by children, experienced educators, and newcomers alike, a key factor is the parents. The first school for children is the home, so without the support or supervision of parents, they cannot improve and develop other skills, further complicating the work of educators in the classroom.

Another guiding question was the ethical considerations to keep in mind during the research process. I am not very familiar with major ethical technicalities, but one thing I am clear on and have learned is that in the educational context, it is crucial to obtain informed consent from students and their parents in the case of minors. Additionally, it is important to keep the data obtained confidential to prevent participants from suffering any emotional, academic, or other negative repercussions for participating in the research. Honesty and transparency must be emphasized in every phase of the study. It is also important to avoid any bias and ensure that the findings are presented fairly and accurately, always striving for equity and justice for all students and/or participants. Concluding with the last point, one of the educational research studies I found most aligned with my perspective was that of Michael Fullan, whose research The New Meaning of Educational Change explores how educational leaders can facilitate successful changes in schools.

In conclusion, research in the educational field is an essential tool for improving the quality of teaching and adapting to the changing realities within the classroom. As a student-teacher of English and a future educational leader, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of integrating research into my teaching practice. By exploring methodologies and adapting strategies to the specific needs of my students, I have begun to develop more effective and inclusive approaches. Likewise, research not only enriches my understanding of pedagogical processes but also prepares me to face the challenges of leading in the educational field. Continuous reflection and evaluation of teaching practices are key to ensuring that future generations receive an education that responds to their realities and needs, thereby contributing to the development of a more just and equitable society. As an educator, this is one of my main goals, and I intend to achieve it.