The Power of Action Research

The International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC) connects dedicated educators worldwide to discover the best learning practices for boys. As a member of IBSC, Seven Hills faculty have the opportunity to design, implement, evaluate, and report on in-depth action research projects to improve their effectiveness in the classroom and beyond. 

As previously shared, faculty member Tom Stack ’12, presented at IBSC’s annual conference this past July in Auckland, New Zealand. The theme was Shattering Stereotypes: Helping Boys Cultivate Healthy Masculinity. Over the course of twelve classes, Tom’s twelve students explored examples of male roles in competitive environments from three different contexts: sports, business, and entertainment.

The boys completed written reflection questions after each case study before participating in a classwide discussion in which they could share, challenge, and debate their beliefs. This exploration helped foster and change the boys’ perceptions of how men ought to act in competition. And a clear majority of the boys were able to illustrate how the study positively impacted their beliefs and actions in competitive environments.

“Completing the IBSC’s Action Research Program has been one of the most difficult but rewarding experiences of my career. As an early-career educator, this process has forced me to create and recreate my pedagogical approach, challenged me to consider deeply the why and how of lesson plan construction, as well as the experience of the boys in my class,” said Tom.

This is what Trish Cislak, Tom’s mentor and current IBSC Action Research Team Advisor, claims is the most invaluable impact of action research. “Part of it really is that [IBSC’s Action Research Program] has three different prongs. The first prong is understanding the research process and what it does for you, the second is the impact it has on your boys and your school, and the third prong is the networking that comes with it.” 

In a recent interview with Trish (scroll down to listen to the full interview), she emphasized that the success of any educational institution is inextricably tied to the quality of its staff. We recognize that in order for Seven Hills to continue to grow as a leader in middle school boy education, we have to stay committed to the continuous learning and professional development of our educators.

The theme for this year’s IBSC’s Action Research Program is Balanced Boys: Promoting Healthy Masculinity Beyond the Classroom, and we are thrilled to have members of our faculty apply again. We know that it not only empowers our educators to become experts in their classrooms, but it enhances our school-wide culture. The projects also encourage students to think critically and apply their learning to real-world scenarios. This approach promotes agency and empowers students to make positive changes within their daily lives.

If you would like to become a supporter of our teachers and their professional development, please become a Seven Hills School donor today. Together we can shape future generations of thoughtful and empowered individuals.

Full Interview with Trish Cislak

Learn More About Trish and Tom
 

Trish Cislak
Trish Cislak spends her days as Head of Libraries at Crescent School (Canada). Her role encompasses leading a team of library professionals in the development of an information literacy skills continuum and team-teaching many courses with an inquiry-based approach as well as, building a reading culture. In 2019, Trish took on the role of Director of Research for the Crescent Centre for Boys’ Education. The research center focuses on teaching and learning best practices for boys. As part of this role, she leads an in-house action research program for teachers and facilitates action research for Grade 10 and 11 students who are empowered to use research to create positive change in school culture. 

Trish is also the Committee Lead for the Canadian Association of Independent Schools Research Innovation Grant Program and oversees a team of like-minded colleagues in support of budding teacher researchers in schools across Canada.  

In 2010, Trish began her own IBSC Action Research journey with a project examining the use of audiobooks to support reading habits in boys. She is currently working with her 11th cohort as a Team Advisor for the IBSC Action Research Program. She describes it as the most enriching professional development experience for teachers interested in improving their practice, and is grateful for the ever-growing network of global colleagues.

Tom Stack
After graduating from Seven Hills in 2012, Tom Stack returned to teach in 2020. Tom graduated from Wofford College with a BA in both History and International Affairs and a minor in Anthropology and Sociology while earning Phi Beta Kappa recognition. His passion for learning earned him the highest departmental award for excellence for both history and international affairs majors, while his studies and ethnographic fieldwork have taken him to Tanzania, Nepal, and India in recent years. 

Tom currently teaches 8th grade Civics and Economics, serves as the Seven Hills Alumni Coordinator, coaches soccer, and works in the Admissions Office. In his spare time, Tom likes to read books with beautiful prose, play football (soccer) and follow his Chelsea Blues, lounge on rocks at the James River, and play chess.