Digital Commons Network^™

The Perception And Lived Experiences Of African International Students During Their Studies In The United States Colleges And Universities: A Phenomenological Study, Ebere V. Chukwuezi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience and perceptions adapting to the process of college-level education for African international students at a four-year college in the southeastern United States. The theory that guided this study was Berry’s acculturation theory, which categorizes individual adaptation strategies into two dimensions. This study was guided by acculturation theory aligned with the central research question and sub-questions. Participants who completed their studies or were current students at the university were selected through purposeful and snowball sampling. Data was collected through individual interviews, online surveys, and focus groups and analyzed …

Nurturing A Culture Of Change In K-12 Schools, Howard Pitler

The Advocate

Abstract

Title: Nurturing a Culture of Change in K-12 Schools

As K-12 education undergoes rapid evolution to meet the demands of a changing world, educational leaders must navigate complex challenges to drive meaningful transformation. This article delves into the imperative for change in educational systems globally and explores tailored strategies for fostering a culture of change within K-12 schools.

Visionary leadership emerges as a cornerstone for guiding schools through periods of change, emphasizing innovation, collaboration, and student-centered approaches. Cultivating a change-ready school culture involves nurturing an environment that encourages experimentation, risk-taking, and continuous learning. Effective communication and collaboration, both internally …

Migration And Integration In Germany – A Multi- And Transcultural, Critical Experiential Learning Approach Toward 21st Century Global Civic Skills, Sabine Hirschauer, Regina Karp, Michele Kekeh

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This two-year quantitative study analyzes students’ experiences during migration experiential learning study-abroad programs in 2017 and 2018 in Munich, Germany. U.S. students worked with German refugee organizations to gain a more comprehensive understanding about the political, social, and cultural complexity of Europe’s current migration debate. Grounded-theorybased, this study’s inferences expand on Dan Butin’s innovative 2015 practice-to-theory critical service-learning approach toward multi- and transcultural adaptability, balanced reciprocity, and social justice.

Creating Culturally Relevant And Responsive Health Care Models, Naomi N. Duke

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Western-based health models situate formalized education as a distinct driver of outcomes, including health and well-being. This study, conducted as part of the Community-engaged Scholars Program, interviewed elders and practitioners in cultural communities about relationships between cultural ways of knowing and health to inform Western-based models of health service delivery. While years of schooling may translate into practical means for obtaining goods and services, cultural knowledge frames provide a foundation for addressing the complexities of health.

Human-Centred Leadership In Higher Education Student Services: Strategies For Preserving A Values-Driven Team Culture During Organizational Change, Christine A. Klaray

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

In the dynamic Canadian higher education landscape, leaders of student services units face mounting pressures to ensure teams remain agile, responsive, and efficient while meeting students' needs. By nurturing a values-driven team culture characterized by shared beliefs, values, and assumptions, leaders cultivate thriving work environments that mitigate risks associated with staff burnout and attrition, while safeguarding against the shift towards transactional operations over student-centric approaches. The student services team described in this dissertation-in-practice (DiP) is preparing for the transition to a new institution-wide student software system, and staff expressed concerns about preserving the team’s core values amid increased workload and …

Stem Identity In African American Middle School Students: A Phenomenological Study, Amara L. Alexander

Theses and Dissertations

Using a phenomenological approach, this action research study explored the influence of culturally sustaining teaching practices (Ladson-Billings, 2014; Paris 2012, 2021) to impact African American students STEM identity (Collins & Roberson, 2020). Qualitative data were generated through interviews with students, practitioner reflective notes, and classroom observations during the intervention. Analysis and interpretation of the data indicated student- participants had positive experiences during the intervention and the culturally sustaining STEM lessons positively impacted African American middle school students STEM identity. The implications of these findings for STEM curriculum writers, STEM education and STEM educators, particularly those in K-12 education.

Experiences Of Asian American Students In Non-Stem Fields: A Phenomenological Study, Diem Nguyen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to discover the lived experiences of choosing a non-STEM college major for Asian American students in the United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory, as it provided a foundation for understanding how cultural and environmental factors interact with internal motivations and interests to shape college and career choices. The study addressed the central research question: What are the lived experiences of Asian American students who have chosen non-STEM college majors? This phenomenological study used purposeful criterion sampling to select 12 Asian American participants who are pursuing a …

Book Review: Credible: The Power Of Expert Leaders, Carl L. Tolbert

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

Amanda Goodall’s (2023) book Credible: The Power of Expert Leaders argues why expert leaders are needed more now than ever across all organizational domains. Goodall describes the book as a chronicle of the “natural experiment” showcasing failures of nonexperts leading various sized groups and organizations, also citing parallel success by expert leaders (p. 1). The book is divided into eight chapters, starting with the introduction and examining the need for experts, the recruitment and development of experts, and finally, the organizational environment to sustain experts. The introduction begins as a corollary to Nichols’ (2024) work regarding how society no longer …

Examination Of Ugandan Educators’ Cultural Preferences When Teaching Agriculture: A Q Methodological Study, Rebekah Mccarty, Shannon Norris-Parish, Don Edgar, Lacey Roberts-Hill, Jeff Witte

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

Increasing human capital is a critical challenge of developmental aid. Secondary education is known to be the single greatest contributor to agricultural productivity in developing countries. Ultimately, as technology advances, researchers and curriculum designers must investigate variables influencing the successful transmission of agricultural information or the gap will widen. We used framing theory to examine the impact of culture on the adoption of educational resources in a developing nation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cultural preferences of educators in Uganda when engaging with educational materials created by individuals from a developed nation. We used Q methodology …

Studying Abroad In Three Weeks Or Less, Sarah Moss

The Voice

No abstract provided.

The Perception Of The Implementation Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy To Support Black Male Students In Mathematics – A Case Study, Chiquita Granville

Dissertations

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy is a method of education that promotes an inclusive and empowered learning environment by acknowledging and valuing students varied cultural origins. CRP is especially important for tackling the ongoing achievement discrepancies encountered by high school Black Male students in the context of mathematics instruction. This abstract emphasizes the value of culturally sensitive instruction in enhancing black male students' mathematics learning results and experiences.

This research will examine the difficulties faced by Black male students in Mathematics classes, including prejudice, a lack of cultural representation in the curriculum, and a lack of relevance between the subject matter and …

The Impact Of Texas High School Teachers' Perceptions Of Culture On Their Intent To Stay Or Leave From Their Position, Abigail Crawford, Lesley F. Leach, Ron Rhone, Juanita Reyes

School Leadership Review

ABSTRACT

Teacher attrition has been an issue in education for decades, however, post-pandemic, the problem has grown exponentially. Teachers at the high school campus are often particularly difficult to replace because of their specialized areas. Yearly faculty surveys often ask teachers to share their perceptions of their campus, including but not limited to, faculty relationships, administrative decisions, student discipline, and learning and assessment. While teachers’ perceptions of these areas of campus life might be positive or negative, do any of these areas motivate a teacher to leave or to stay? The purpose of this research is to investigate high school …

Culturally And Linguistically Responsive Teaching In K-12 Education, Samantha Valenta

Graduate Teacher Education

Students of color have been historically underserved and underrepresented in the education system due to bias. To combat said racist system, teachers need guidance on how to teach their students of color in an equitable way. Every student deserves the chance to succeed. This paper synthesized multiple researchers’ findings over the effects of culturally and linguistically responsive teaching (CLRT) on students of color via qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies. The findings concluded that CLRT was beneficial to students and would increase their academic achievement via improving their mental health, engagement, behavior, and literacy. A cyclical correlation was found between all …

A Model For Play In The Preschool Curriculum: A Phenomenological Study, Saber Abdolmalaki, Mahboubeh Khosravi, Noushin Nouri, Mostafa Ghaderi

Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications and Presentations

This phenomenological study aimed to develop a framework integrating play into preschool curriculum based on educators’ lived experiences using play-based methods. Fifteen educators from 12 centers were interviewed using theoretical sampling. Data analysis revealed nine pathways linking play types, educator roles, and learning objectives. Results culminated in a comprehensive framework elucidating how educators actualize educational goals through play.

The Challenge Of Creating A Classroom Culture, Alan Bandstra

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

"Can You Just Speak Normal?": How Language Summer Camps Affect White Children's Participation In The Linguistically, Culturally, And Racially Diverse United States, Mary M. Bruggeman

Honors Projects

The United States is becoming an increasingly diverse county. Young children are at the best age to learn about language and race, but the way that language programs address the intersection of language and race echoes the issues present in the rest of society. Learning a language in a racially diverse environment improves racial attitudes, but the only way to get to the root of the issue of inequality among individuals who speak another language, have a different culture, or are a part of a different racial group is to discuss the topic of inequality in the United States directly. …

Around The World In 80 Days: Navigating Culturally Diverse Texts In Secondary English Education, Abby Boyer

Honors Theses

In the secondary English classroom, the inclusion of diverse texts holds importance in fostering a rich and inclusive learning environment that reflects the realities and complexities of our diverse world. Diverse texts encompass a wide range of voices, perspectives, and experiences that represent various cultures, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. By incorporating such texts into the curriculum, educators not only honor the diversity of their students but also provide them with opportunities to engage critically with different narratives, develop empathy, and cultivate a deeper understanding of the complexities of the human experience.
Moreover, diverse texts offer …

Exploring Early Language Acquisition Through English And French, Rebecca C. Aguilar

Honors Capstones

Knowing that there is no singular event that leads to learning a language, and factoring in the extent an individual’s culture can affect language learning, this study emphasizes the importance of a cross-linguistic approach to continue to broaden the scope of language acquisition research. The primary objective is to identify and analyze the critical commonalities in the initial stages of learning English and French as first languages through two major categories: speech/language and culture. This project carried out an analytical review of 24 pieces of relevant literature, in both languages, in an effort to highlight key findings. Those findings include: …

Collective Teacher Efficacy And Effective Title I Eligible Schools: A Mixed Methods Approach, Donald R. Mendenhall

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Students living in poverty have historically scored lower than more affluent peers. However, research suggests that collective teacher efficacy (CTE) may be more strongly associated with student academic success than socioeconomic background. Therefore, this study identifies successful Title I eligible schools that also have high levels of collective teacher efficacy to identify methods for increasing CTE in schools. A mixed methods research study model is used to explain how two successful Title I schools were able to achieve academic success and high levels of CTE. The study finds some of the perceptions of school staff, and the actions and processes …

Cultural Awareness Application, Bharat Gupta

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In an increasingly interconnected global landscape, cultural awareness and competency have become indispensable skills for individuals and organizations alike. This paper introduces a pioneering cultural awareness application, grounded in the Cultural Orientation Model—a comprehensive framework devised by Dr. Walker [8]to guide individuals in understanding, appreciating, and effectively engaging with diverse cultures. The application encompasses ten primary dimensions, each representing fundamental aspects of social life shared by members of any socio-cultural environment. Through a combination of cultural education, interactive learning, guidance on cultural etiquette, and integration of cultural events, the application aims to foster empathy, tolerance, and effective cross-cultural communication skills. …

A Classic Delphi Study: To Identify And Describe How Elementary School Teacher Leaders Create And Foster A School Culture That Supports Social-Emotional Learning, Nicole Lindemuth

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this Delphi study was to identify the strategies that elementary teacher leaders use to create and foster a school culture that supports the five Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) competencies (self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills, self-management, and responsible decision making). An additional purpose was to identify what teacher leaders perceive to be the most effective strategies for creating and fostering a school culture that supports these social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies.

Methodology: This study used the Delphi method to collect data from elementary teacher leaders serving Grades TK–6 to identify their strategies …

Black Female Educator: Underappreciated, Overworked, And The Indelible Quest For Agency Within The Educational System, Sharena Stevenson

Dissertations

In this study, I examined my experiences in the educational system as a Black female who feels overworked and underappreciated, like I must constantly prove my credibility and fight stereotypes, and feel strain of trying to remain healthy, physically and mentally, while trying to find agency in the educational system. I recount the trauma I faced as a Black female student and then as a Black female educator. I documented my experiences from my time in K-12 and my years as an educator. I utilized the Critical Race Theory tenet, persistence of racism, Intersectionality, and Black feminist thought as the …

A School Nurse Perspective On A Positive School Culture: Collaborative Effort, Rosemary Millar

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

A School Nurse Perspective on a Positive School Culture: Collaborative Team Effort

Abstract

Promoting a positive school culture is imperative for fostering a conducive learning environment and ensuring the well-being of faculty members. Rusticus, et al.,2023, state that high-quality learning environments are associated with positive outcomes for students at all levels. This paper explores the implementation of wellness areas or rooms within educational institutions to facilitate stress reduction and promote overall faculty wellness. By providing dedicated spaces for relaxation and rejuvenation, schools can enhance faculty satisfaction, productivity, and retention (Jones, et al, 2019). This study investigates the methodology and model …

Belmont Culturs: 2024 Bateman Submission, Anna J. Love, Ryleigh Green, Savannah Sellers, Jamison Costolnick

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Human connection is effortless in the age of the Internet—for those who fit the mold. For young adults with cross-cultural, nuanced identities, it’s easy to get lost in the sorting of algorithms. Forming deep connections becomes difficult. Finding who you are seems impossible. Isolated and socially disconnected, culturally fluid young adults often lose themselves among peers who appear secure in their identities and homes.

This is why the Belmont Culturs team has worked strategically to bridge the gap between identity and diversity for our target audience: Belmont University students. Belmont Culturs is paving a new path to “we” through simplifying …

Curricula As Ideology: A Study Of Cultural Representations In Arabic As A Foreign Language (Afl) Textbooks, Zakaria Fahmi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The present study examines cultural representations in two widely used AFL textbook series, namely Al-Kitaab and Arabiyyat al-Naas. Fundamentally, three main issues motivate this study: (1) the cultural politics of language textbooks underlying the construction and dissemination of cultural knowledge and its prioritization of the latter on grounds of subjectivity, ideology, and power, (2) the politicization of Arabic as a foreign language (AFL) in light of the post 9/11 language advocacy, and (3) the prevailing standard language ideology of al-Arabiya al-fuṣħaa (العربية الفصحى) and the pedagogical challenges posed by Arabic diglossia. The data comprise five textbooks from the aforementioned series, …

Hidden Meanings In Elementary Instrumental Music Method Books: A Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis, Mara Hope Thompson

Education Doctorate Dissertations

Textbooks serve as the primary resource utilized to deliver curriculum in a variety of subject areas and educational contexts. However, much previous research has found that texts often convey concealed meanings in the form of hidden and null curricula. This Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA) explored the musical discourses and cultural contexts of musical examples in two elementary instrumental music textbook series to investigate whose values, cultures, perspectives, and knowledge are conveyed by the texts and whose are excluded or misrepresented. Framed by the social theory of Postcolonialism, the research revealed binary ideologies of exoticism embedded in many aspects of …

Adjunct Faculty Perceptions Of Leadership And Cultures Of Engagement, Inclusion, Collaboration, And Value Through A Social Capital Theory Framework, Mary Athena Geron-Newton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

At the time of this study, there were more adjunct or part-time teaching positions at colleges and universities than full-time or tenure track positions. It is predicted this trend will persist because it is fiscally beneficial to educational institutions; adjuncts will work for a quarter of the salary and with fewer benefits, no real job security, unpredictable teaching schedules, and no commensurate voice in faculty decisions. This case study expanded the understanding of the reasons behind contingent faculty's perceptions of satisfaction and their decisions to remain in instructional positions even with the positions' blatant inequities. According to Bourdieu's social capital …

A Case Study Examining How Culture And Shared Leadership Practices Improve Literacy, Jennifer Gutierrez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study is to examine how school leaders create a school culture driven by shared leadership practices to improve literacy in an urban Title I elementary school. Shared leadership practices are defined as transformational and instructional leadership that ensures all stakeholders are included as active participants, and that collaborative objectives are carried out (DeWitt, 2017). The central research question is, how do school leaders create a school culture driven by shared leadership practices to improve literacy in urban elementary schools? The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, as it impacts the direction of behavior …

Somali Students In The American Elementary General Music Classroom, Alice L. Charland

Masters Theses

Education must be cognizant of the Somali culture’s inclination to classify music as a morally charged entity. It must also be careful not to forget American cultural values that have defined the music classroom. The purpose of this research was to identify Somali cultural expressions that occur in the American elementary general music classroom and to identify underlying concepts that contribute to these cultural expressions. Additionally, the research sought to bring light to the relationship between the two, so that future music educators might be inspired to create assessments and activities that better suit the needs of all learners.

Bottling The “Secret Sauce”: Capturing The Heart Of The East End At Peter Paul Development Center, Melissa E. Abban, Melissa Buckley, Marie Garrenton, Latonja Y. Wright

Doctor of Education Capstones

Peter Paul Development Center (Peter Paul) submitted a Request for Assistance (RFA) to obtain support from a Virginia Commonwealth University Doctorate of Educational Leadership (EdD) Capstone team with documenting programming and principles and evaluating them consistently. To address this request, the team analyzed the context and problem of practice through document review, empathy interviews, partner discussions and site visits. The literature review helped the team design and conduct research, fieldwork, and data analysis to support Peter Paul in standardizing procedures and programs, fostering a culture of institutional knowledge, and effectively communicating impact to stakeholders. The team used a Convergent Parallel …