Teacher Researchers in Guatemala - Lessons From an Action Research Experience to Address Educational Gaps in the Classroom

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai

The article describes learnings of primary school teachers in rural Guatemala arising from an action research experience. The experience occurred under the “Basic Education Quality and Transitions” (BEQT) activity funded by USAID and implemented by RTI International and partners, including the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. The “Teacher Researchers” program supported teachers in grades 1–3 to identify and bridge gaps in mathematics, reading, and/or writing. Teachers reflected on research process lessons and applied solutions to lesson planning and instruction.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

About the Authors

Acknowledgments

Abstract

Introduction

Context

Research Question

Methods

Participants

Method of Analysis

Results

Lessons Learned About the Research Process

Lessons About Strategies Used

Other Lessons Learned by Teachers

Identified Gaps

Results Observed in Students

Discussion

Data Availability Statement

Authors’ Contributions

References

Teacher Researchers in Guatemala: Lessons From an Action Research Experience to Address Educational Gaps in the Classroom Ana Aidé Cruz Grünebaum, Kevin Renato Rojas Sandoval, Sophia Verónica Maldonado Bode, Amber Gove, and Jennifer Elizabeth Johnson Oliva This publication is part of the RTI Press Research Report series. Occasional Papers are scholarly essays on policy, methods, or other topics relevant to RTI areas of research or technical focus. RTI International 3040 East Cornwallis Road PO Box 12194 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 USA Tel: +1.919.541.6000 E-mail: [rtipress@rti.org](rtipress@rti.org) [Website: www. rti.org](Website: www. rti.org) RTI Press publication OP-0094-2501 RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research organization dedicated to improving the human condition. The RTI Press mission is to disseminate information about RTI research, analytic tools, and technical expertise to a national and international audience. RTI Press publications are peer-reviewed by at least two independent substantive experts and one or more Press editors. Suggested Citation Cruz Grünebaum, A. A., Rojas Sandoval, K. R., Maldonado Bode, S.V., Gove, A., and Johnson Oliva, J. E. (2025) . Teacher Researchers in Guatemala: Lessons From an Action Research Experience to Address Educational Gaps in the Classroom. RTI Press Publication No. OP-0094-2501 . Research Triangle Park, NC: RTI Press. [https://doi.org/10.3768/rtipress](https://doi.org/10.3768/rtipress) [.2025.op.0094.2501](.2025.op.0094.2501) Cover photo: Initial workshop for Teacher Researchers, Río Blancos, San Marcos. Photo used with permission of USAID. ©2025 RTI International. RTI International is a trade name of Research Triangle Institute. RTI, RTI Press, and the RTI logo are U. S. registered trademarks of Research Triangle Institute. This work is distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 license (CC BY-NC-ND), a copy of which is available at [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) [https://doi.org/10.3768/rtipress.2025.op.0094.2501](https://doi.org/10.3768/rtipress.2025.op.0094.2501) [www.rti.org/rti-press](www.rti.org/rti-press) Contents About the Authors i Acknowledgments ii Abstract ii Introduction 1 Context 2 Research Question 4 Methods 4 Participants 5 Method of Analysis 6 Results 7 Lessons Learned About the Research Process 7 Lessons About Strategies Used 7 Other Lessons Learned by Teachers 8 Identified Gaps 9 Results Observed in Students 11 Discussion 13 Data Availability Statement 13 Authors’ Contributions 13 References 14 About the Authors Ana Aidé Cruz Grünebaum, BA, Researcher, Centro de Investigaciones Educativas, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. [https://orcid.org/0000](https://orcid.org/0000) [-0003-2398-552X](-0003-2398-552X) Kevin Renato Rojas Sandoval, BA, Lecturer at the Faculty of Education, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. [https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0383](https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0383)[ ](https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0383)[-1299](-1299) Sophia Verónica Maldonado Bode, PhD, Teaching and Learning Lead—Basic Education Quality and Transitions (BEQT), Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. [https://orcid.org/](https://orcid.org/)[ ](https://orcid.org/)[0000-0003-1888-488X](0000-0003-1888-488X) Amber Gove, PhD, Fellow, International Education, RTI International, Washington, DC, USA. [https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0063](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0063)[ ](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0063)[-0809](-0809) Jennifer Elizabeth Johnson Oliva, MA, Education Specialist—BEQT, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. [https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5112](https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5112)[ ](https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5112)-490X RTI Press Associate Editor Lissette Saavedra Acknowledgments This co-publication was made possible by the generous support

FAQs

What is the goal of the “Teacher Researchers” program in this paper?

The program engages teachers in identifying and bridging gaps in students’ learning of mathematics, reading, and/or writing in grades 1–3.

Which subjects and grade levels are the focus of the action research?

It focuses on mathematics, reading, and/or writing for students in grades 1–3.

How did teachers use the lessons from the action research experience?

Teachers reflected on research process lessons and strengthened their research skills to identify content gaps and apply potential solutions, adjusting lesson planning and teaching strategies.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai