The word research is usually associated with topics regarding different sciences, and is used mainly in places such as laboratories. The word almost has a serious tone to it as it communicates hours of work looking into a certain thing. But what happens when we associate research to our practice? What does research do in a classroom?
Research allows for meaningful curriculum and inquiry to take place in the classroom. Acts of attunement to place, language, time, and self/other are forms of research, which initiate inquiries and various ways of learning.
As it is important to reflect upon the image of the child, it is equally important to reflect upon the role of the educator. When we combine the role of an educator with the role of a researcher, we create a being that constantly questions, reflects, reimagines and seeks for different possibilities of already existing realities or theories. A teacher-researcher creates an environment for children to learn by seeing the world as is and by reimagining it as well. A teacher-researcher opens new lens to see, feel, create and connect with what is around us, while keeping in mind importance of context, culture, and time.
