Announcing a year-long research program: Explorative Practice auf Deutsch (EPaD)

Call for Participation: Explorative Praxis auf Deutsch (EPaD)

A K-16 German Teacher Community

Are you a K–16 German educator interested in reflecting more deeply on your teaching, exploring questions meaningful to you and your learners, and connecting with colleagues across the profession? Join our new hybrid community grounded in Exploratory Practice! Conducted primarily auf Deutsch, this year-long practitioner research program helps you investigate classroom “puzzles” that matter to you and your learners!

About Exploratory Practice/Explorative Praxis (EP)

Exploratory Practice (EP) provides a flexible, supportive framework for teachers to explore questions that genuinely matter to them. It begins with a “puzzle” one has about teaching and learning. Teachers can investigate their puzzles by using everyday pedagogical practices as research tools and working with others, including their learners as co-investigators. More than anything, EP views teacher development as best supported through social interaction and community.

About the EPaD Program

This year-long program brings together 10-12 German educators from K-16 contexts to build a collaborative EP community conducted primarily auf Deutsch. Over the course of the year, participants will develop tools and strategies to engage in inclusive, sustainable practitioner research in their own classrooms and meet other dedicated German language teachers. In learning about EP, participants will also receive guidance in how to effectively disseminate their work for written publication and conference presentations. No prior research experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to puzzle together!

EPaD Program Structure and Timeline: July 2026 – May 2027

• Kickoff Workshop: In-person workshop at AATG’s 100th Anniversary Conference in Boston (“AATG@100: Forging the Future”) on July 11, 2026 from 3:30-6:30 pm.
• Virtual Meetings from August 2026 to April 2027: Bi-monthly meetings including whole-group sessions to learn about EP-based classroom inquiry, and smaller accountability groups for participants to exchange developing insights on their puzzles and receive feedback.
• Spring 2027 Symposium (Date TBD): In-person symposium at the University of Alabama to share work, reflect on findings, and prepare future conference presentations and written dissemination of EP projects.

How to Apply

Submit a short CV (1-2 pages) and statement of interest (300-500 words) by May 15, 2026. Your statement should cover: your current teaching context, your reasons for wanting to join, and classroom “puzzles” or questions that interest you.

Please send your application to the program facilitators. Applicants will be notified by May 25, 2026.

EPaD Program Facilitators

Cori Crane, University of Alabama (cpcrane@ua.edu)

Melanie Mello, Gilbert Public Schools (melanie.mello@gilbertschools.net)

For inquiries about the program including funding opportunities, please e-mail the program facilitators.