Teachers in the Teacher Research Corps (TRC) describe this program, where they investigate problems of practice, as an approachable, supportive community of like-minded teachers who work together to identify and seek answers to the most challenging issues in their own classrooms. TRC honors teachers’ autonomy to find and follow their passions, and teachers report finding passions they didn’t realize they had!
It’s the Structure
Many teachers enjoy the structure of TRC, which allows them to stay connected and motivated throughout the year.
Consider this quote from a TRC participant:
“TRC inspires me to keep teaching and especially to keep teaching with the oomph that is required to inspire students. I know that I will get support with TRC throughout the year, not just in the summer, and it is a breath of fresh air when we have our meetings, especially when it’s feeling mundane at that point in the semester or when I’m going through a rough patch with my classes.”
Learn from Other Teachers
Teachers learn from each other in TRC. Because CPM teachers are located all over the US, TRC participants get to work with and learn from people with different student populations, situations, and ideas. Teacher researchers connect with and maintain relationships with people from all around the country, and this is built into the program to make this teacher community emerge with much less effort than it would take otherwise.
Consider this quote from a TRC participant:
“I have literally switched schools multiple times just to be able to continue to work with this lovely community. While I am a work in progress, I have learned so much from this experience, and I am so excited for what’s to come. As for impacts, TRC makes me more aware of my strengths, weaknesses, and biases. But more importantly, TRC gives me access to the tools I need to be a better educator for my students.”
Teacher-Driven Professional Learning
The teacher-driven nature of TRC and the community that emerges as teachers work through issues together has led participants to note how active and engaging the experience is and, time and time again, that “it is the most valuable professional learning I’ve had in my career.”
Consider this quote from a TRC participant:
“I’m here for a number of reasons but, essentially, because TRC has helped me lead a happier life. Every year I have been involved has helped me be a better teacher, and the better a teacher I am, the more my students enjoy my class, which makes my job more fun, which brings me joy.”
Collaborate with Other Teachers
Participants have reported that they had a lot of ideas they wanted to investigate and try out in their classrooms, but before TRC, they were less successful because they didn’t have colleagues to bounce ideas off of. Additionally, some participants have reported that TRC ignites a spark in them that would not otherwise be there to continue improving themselves as math educators, re-energizing them and helping them to move off auto-pilot. Some teachers have reported that TRC has renewed their interest in being a math teacher and makes them feel happy to go to work!
Consider this quote from a TRC participant:
“I have enjoyed being challenged to think in a different light because sometimes we get so caught up in day-to-day routines and activities that we get blinded and do not see other outcomes or views.”
When teachers surround themselves with passionate people, collaboration makes each individual better. If you are thinking about TRC, do not dismiss it because you think TRC is only for the teachers with the most accolades. It is through collaboration that all TRC participants’ abilities are elevated as they co-create a psychologically safe space where they can make mistakes and test out ideas without judgment.
Consider this quote from a TRC participant:
“While I was hesitant to join because I don’t always have the confidence in my abilities, I decided to take risks (the same expectations I have for my students) and join TRC this year so I can learn from others.”
Find Belonging
We hear stories like this all the time: if a teacher comes to TRC nervous and skeptical, by the end of Day 1 at the summer institute, they feel a sense of belongingness and have increased confidence. These feelings only grow as teachers participate in subsequent years. Teacher researchers have expressed that their continued participation in the program allows them to be a better version of themselves each year. When asked how TRC has impacted their experience as a math teacher, one special education teacher reported:
“In every single way. TRC helps me view myself as a math teacher. Being in so many teachers’ classrooms, I honestly don’t always feel like anything more than a special ed teacher. TRC helped me see that I am so much more than the narrow identity I felt like I had to have. It helped me push my own boundaries in the best way.”
Grow Together
TRC doesn’t have to benefit just one teacher at a school. It is a great space for co-teachers or departmental colleagues to grow their teaching together. Some current participants have reported that their colleagues have benefited from the learning and experiences that TRC has provided them. Perhaps the reason that TRC is so impactful is because the teachers in TRC are focused on incrementally innovating their teaching to improve students’ experiences. We think this quote from a TRC participant describes it best:
“At the center of everything is helping kids learn about who they are, what they can accomplish, and helping them grow in ways that are meaningful to them. What is really important is that kids feel safe and encouraged to be themselves, jump into the learning process, try new things, learn about who they are, see themselves as a community, and know that they can do so much more than they think they can.”
If you are interested in becoming a CPM Teacher Researcher, please reach out to Mark Coté at markcote@cpm.org. You can also check out prior newsletter articles and cpm.org/trc to learn more! To learn about the projects this year’s teams have created, view the TRC Google Site’s Current Projects and Teams page.
