Context: This research was conducted for Teacher as Researcher, taught by Dr. Cheryl Knight. This research was intended for me to engage in critical inquiry into the field of education. During this class, I was the Homebound teacher for Lincoln County Schools. The purpose of a homebound teacher is to meet the needs of students who were unable to attend schools. Most of my students were high school girls who were out for maternity leave. I did serve students who were out of school due to cancer, mental illnesses, physical injuries, and depression. I collaborated with Dr. Knight and came up with the action research topic of teacher isolation in the schools. I was considered an itinerant teacher at the time and this topic was one that I could associate with on a personal level. The research was conducted over a couple of months using data from other itinerant teachers who were working at elementary, middle, and high school levels.
Alignment: In completing this activity the following Standards for the Master's Degree program were met.
* Standard C: Research: The candidate uses research to examine and improve instructional effectiveness and student achievement. This artifact was completed to show that I am able to investigate problems that the school system faced and am able to come up with a plan to improve the problem. I was able to identify a problem, investigate it through many means, come up with a plan of action, and follow through with my idea. The artifact outlines my plan of research and shows the outcome of the semester long research of teacher isolation.