Nominee for Chair

Post date: Nov 22, 2010 8:46:54 PM

Derrel Fincher

I am the director of information and communication technology at Graded School in São Paulo, Brazil, where I not only oversee all technology and communications infrastructure, but also work with K-12 teachers to apply good practices in their classrooms. As the South America Coordinator for the World Virtual School project, funded by the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools, I provide support for virtual learning environments implementation and use at participating schools. The World Virtual School project connects K-12 international schools throughout a region and provides support for the schools and teachers for effectively combining online and face-to-face teaching.

In the Action Research SIG, I have been the communications officer for the past two years. Key goals as chair would be taking steps to cultivate a sustainable community of practice among SIG members and developing support and guidance for K-12 teachers who want to improve their practice through action research in their classrooms. SIG members can be a rich resource for teachers, and the SIG can play a significant role in connecting teachers and researchers, but being effective at this requires that the SIG has a sustainable community of practice. My experience working with teachers and with virtual communities of practice through the World Virtual School project provide the foundation for implementing these goals.