University of Saint Mary

Master of Arts in Teaching

Assignment Form: Final Reflection

Name: Tiffany Embry

Date: 12/11/2008
Course Number/Name: MAT 723

Final Reflective Assessment

1. What were your initial premise statements? Discuss your premise statements now that
they have been refined and revised as a result of your action research.

In my initial statement I wanted to learn if using “positive language” will decrease the
amount of time a student is out-of-control. This topic came from a professional journal
article that was handed out in a faculty meeting entitled, “The Power of Words”. This
article suggested that using positive language will influence students to want to do as they
are instructed. As I began my research, I realized that I needed to go more in-depth to
solve my problem, so I added positive behavior supports to my research. When I began
researching positive behavior supports, I soon found that positive language was one of
the tools listed in that program. This allowed my research to be more successful.

2. Your “practical argument” is the professional knowledge and language you use to
support the decisions you make in your classroom. What were the key concepts and
ideas from these courses that define your new practical argument in professional
practice?

I continue to implement my action research project. The key for me was documentation.
The documentation has allowed me to have concrete numbers on the time spent out of my
classroom. It has allowed me to go to the administration in my building to show what
problems I am facing. I have found that often times when I go to administration, I come
across as complaining, however since I have been able to physically show the numbers
from my research, my opinions have become more valid. This project has honestly
changed the way we deal with students who are in crisis.

3. What questions were raised (or not fully answered) during your action research that
might lead you to further research?

I want to find a way to deescalate a student who needs physical management. The
average time to deescalate a student who required safe crisis management was 15
minutes. That is a great deal of time for a student to be in crisis mode. I plan to begin
offering weekly anger management classes to students who are “repeat offenders”. It is
my hope that by teaching them to recognize their anger signs, they will be able to
deescalate themselves without physical management.

4. How has the semester’s work change you as a teacher? How has your study impacted

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your role in your school?
This semester in one word has made me a more efficient teacher. I have become more
efficient in returning back to my classroom after a behavior incident. In many cases I
have been able to successfully transition the out-of-control student back to the classroom.
I have found that it is a win-win situation for all parties.

References
Denton, P. (2008). The Power of Words. Educational Leadership, September, 28-31.