February 17, 2015

Dear Participant,
I am currently a graduate student in the M.Ed. program Applied Studies in Teaching and Learning at West Chester
University. For the next eight weeks, I would like to include you in an action research project investigating how I can best
serve you as your mentor.
During our eight weeks together, I will observe you during English Language Arts periods and I will ask you to complete
one or two brief surveys so that I can learn more about your teaching practices and what areas you would like to improve
upon. Data from observations and surveys will be used in two ways: (1) so that I can best help you as your mentor, and (2)
as data used for my inquiry project about the mentoring/mentee relationship.
All information that is obtained during this research project will be kept strictly secure and will not become a part of your
official record in any way. Your name and any other information concerning your identity will be deleted from the
research information. Your confidentiality is most important and every effort will be made to ensure that this research
remains confidential at all times.
Your participation in this project is completely voluntary. In addition to your permission, you will also be asked if you
would like to take part in this project by completing brief surveys and allowing me to sit in and observe your lessons. The
choice to participate will not impact your status at school in any way. There is no risk to you as a participant and your
participation is entirely voluntary.
The results of this study will be used for an online website that is required in my course, EDE 611 Teacher Research in
the College of Education at WCU. The website is a private site, viewable by my classmates, my professors, and myself
only. I may be sharing this work with other teacher researchers at spring conferences; however, all names and identifying
information will be removed from the final project before sharing with anyone outside of WCU. Pseudonyms or codes
will be substituted for the names of teachers (including you) and children. This helps protect confidentiality. You are
welcome to review my completed inquiry project website, and I would welcome your feedback, as I analyze data and
construct my final project.
In the space at the bottom of this letter, please indicate whether or not you agree to participate in this project. Please
return the bottom portion of this completed form as soon as possible. Please keep this written letter explaining my action
research project for your records. If you have any questions about your participation or this research project, please feel
free to contact me.
Sincerely,

Jessica Hubbard
6th Grade ELA/SS Teacher
jhubbard@oxford.k12.pa.us
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