Digital Commons Network^™

Cyberbullying In Rural Communities: Origin And Processing Through The Lens Of Older Adolescents, Lisa Reason, Michael Boyd, Casey Reason

The Qualitative Report

The experiences of older adolescent cyberbullying victims from a rural community were explored in this qualitative study. Findings revealed that cyberbullying originates primarily as the result of jealousy over romantic relationships and cultural, religious, or sexual orientation intolerance. Participants also indicated that cyberbullies tend to be more brazen and cruel as the result of perceived anonymity. In addition, participants reported feelings of helplessness and rage in response to the attacks. Finally, participants suggested that the lack of knowledge and understanding of cyberspace resulted in a lack of emotional support and protection against cyberbullying.

A Phenomenological Study Of The Leadership Experiences Of The Charter School Founder-Administrator In Florida, Kathy A. Thomas Ed.D., Candace H. Lacey Ph.D.

The Qualitative Report

This qualitative study examined the dual leadership role of a charter school founder-administrator. The question asked, How do charter school leaders who serve as founders and administrators describe their experiences as academic and business leaders? A phenomenological approach and constructivist perspective supported a unique appreciation of the participants’ lived experiences. The researchers sought to understand how the participants experienced their sometimes conflicting, sometimes overlapping, and sometimes unique experiences. Participant interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim; the researchers coded the transcripts. Two core categories and 11 themes were identified. The findings suggest these administrator-founders share a common understanding of the uniqueness …

The Cultural Isolation Of Providers And Educators Caused By Stigma And Compassion Fatigue When Serving Survivors Of Invisible Wounds, Bronwyn G. Pughe

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to give voice to the lived experience of providers and educators regarding stigma and compassion fatigue. In this study, using critical social theory as a lens, I seek to understand how providers and educators experience and recognize the stigma they carry, their own compassion fatigue and what they do to stay healthy—including mental physical, emotional/psychological, intellectual, and spiritual health.

Principals Matter: Perceptions Of Principals On School Leadership, Melissa J. Poloncic

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Leadership has long been studied in education. The correlation between effective schools and quality leadership has been linked in research. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of secondary school principals in leadership. Using a phenomenological approach, school principals were asked in an interview to describe the essence of effective leadership through their experiences as a secondary school principal based on their self-perceptions and needs in continuous learning as a leader. Authentic insight from the perspectives of secondary principals defined experiences that influenced them most, the essential elements of effective leaders, and the perceived needs of …

Stakeholder Experiences In District University Administrator Preparation Partnerships, Karen L. Sanzo, Jacob Mckinley Wilson Iii

Educational Foundations & Leadership Faculty Publications

Our qualitative study explores the lived experiences of district stakeholders in university-district leadership preparation programs. Collaborative partnerships between school districts and universities focused on developing quality school leader are a part of recent efforts to provide the field of public education with exemplary leadership. The stakeholder experience in these partnerships is a little understood phenomenon lacking research. Thirteen district stakeholders in grant funded leadership development partnerships participated in the phenomenology informed study. Findings show that prior experiences, trust, issues of time, sustainability, and the power to build bridges were critical components of the district stakeholder experience in partnerships.

A Day In Their Shoes: Lived Experiences Of Five Agricultural Education Teachers Working With English Learners, Julie A. Ketterling

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation took a phenomenological approach in order to take a deeper look into the experiences of five agricultural education teachers that taught English Learner (EL) students and factors that affected those experiences. Dunkin and Biddle’s (1973) Teacher Model provided the conceptual framework and underpinnings for the literature review. The study identified a pilot study teacher with EL experience and 4 agricultural education teachers that taught agricultural education at schools with at least a 15% EL student population. The interviews were semi-structured in nature and each was audiotaped and later transcribed. Each of the transcribed interviews was coded. Through a …

Latina Principals In Southern California: A Phenomenological Look Into Their Journey Towards Leadership, Fabiola Bagula

Dissertations

California is home to almost 15 million Latinos, however, according to the 2015 State of Higher Education Report for California, only 12% of the Latino population between the ages of 25 and 64 has a baccalaureate degree or higher, compared with 42% of the White population. Latina students have some of the lowest levels of educational attainment at every point in their K-12 journey and in general, very low occupational attainment. Given these troubling findings, this research sought to understand and tell the stories of Latinas in k-12 leadership positions in Southern California. In this study, Latinas describe how they …

Mothers Who Choose Traditional Public Education In Times Of Economic Stress, Criticism, And District Reform, Brian W. Davis

Dissertations

As districts attempt to achieve higher accountability for student results while making complex decisions to balance budgets, it has become increasingly more common to restructure or reorganize educational delivery systems in ways that affect children and their families. Understanding how families and, in particular, mothers translate their experiences with structural and other changes enacted by the schools serving their children can assist in defining a new strategic direction of renewal, growth, and revitalization.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of 18 mothers, and their children, who were participants in multiple school reform initiatives in an …

Performing And Defying Gender: An Exploration Of The Lived Experiences Of Women Higher Education Administrators In Sub-Saharan Africa, Ane Turner Johnson

Title IX Research and Resources

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the life and career paths of women higher education administrators in sub-Saharan Africa. Specifically, the study sought to interpret the women’s experiences and identities, through the framework of intersectionality and gender performance, as ones that contributed to advancement within contexts traditionally barred to women. This research illustrates commonalities among the participants, elucidating the faith, family, and education as common constructs in their experiences and as mechanisms that propelled career trajectories. A major finding of the research is that the participants both preformed gender and defied it through the enactment of gender …

The Lived Experience Of Fatherlessness In Male Adolescents: The Student Perspective, Cory Dickerson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the lived experiences of teenage males who did not have a father figure at home during high school. Participants included eight males of varying ethnicities, ages 18-23, who graduated from high school within the last five years. This was a qualitative study with a phenomenological design. The major data collection method was three in-depth interviews. The two research questions asked "How do adolescent males perceive the absence of a father to have impacted them during high school?" and "Were any school-related interventions available for students without fathers, and if so, how did students perceive these interventions to …

An Examination Of The Role That Academic, Athletic, And Social Integration Play In The First-Year Freshman Student Athlete Experience, Adam Mcfarlane

All Dissertations

The focus on student athlete experiences continues to be a growing area of inquiry for researchers in higher education. While much of the focus for student athletes is on their academic performance in relation to their retention and persistence, there is an increasing concern for educational administrators to understand the experiences of student athletes in higher education settings. This study sought to gain a better understanding of the student athlete experience in higher education. To capture an understanding of the student athlete experience, the researcher asked: How do academic, athletic, and social experiences integrate to affect the freshman student athlete …

Understanding Georgia's National Board Certified Teachers: A Phenomenological Approach To A Teacher's Perspective, Kimberly Brantley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand what it means to be a National Board Certified teacher (NBCT) in Georgia. Georgia teachers, distinguished with the NBCT title, participated in surveys and interviews which were analyzed qualitatively in order to understand the essence of being a National Board Certified teacher. Three themes emerged from this study. Georgia NBCTs are dedicated, passionate, and driven. They are reflective and use reflection to drive their instruction. Georgia NBCTs have a strong desire to improve their teaching and a strong need to have their teaching validated to ensure they are good teachers.

Knowing The Indigenous Leadership Journey: Indigenous People Need The Academic System As Much As The Academic System Needs Native People, Dawn Elizabeth Hardison-Stevens

Antioch University Full-Text Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation explores the research question, “How can we create the best learning environments for Indigenous students through good leadership at all levels?” A bridge between cultures provides learning opportunities toward academic success between Indigenous students, families, leaders, and communities. Through personal experience as a practitioner, professional, and education, my research examines and identifies results from personnel and students at five schools, tribal and public, their tribal communities, and two Indigenous people in high profile leadership positions indicating an educational philosophy recognizing Indigenous people need the academic system as much as the academic system needs Native people. Portraits and interviews …

Exploring The Essence Of Trust Through The Lived Experiences Of Jazz Educators, John Newell Canfield

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to contribute to the body of knowledge on trust, educational leadership, and jazz by exploring the lived experiences of jazz educators with regard to the phenomenon of trust in the educational environment.

The Lived Experience Of The Parents Of High School Dropouts: A Phenomenological Study, Christine Ann Silano

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences and perceptions of parents whose children did not receive a high school diploma. This subpopulation has been rarely studied. The central question is, "What are the perceptions and experiences of the parents of public high school dropouts as they pertain to schools, their children, and themselves?"

This phenomenological study examined the lived experience of the parents of high school dropouts. Five women and one man participated in the study by sitting for interviews. The collected interview data was transcribed and analyzed using qualitative methodology including open and axial coding as …

Student Visual Narratives Giving Voice To Positive Learning Experiences – A Contribution To Educational Reform, Ulrika Bergmark, Catrine Kostenius

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal

The aim of this paper is to explore students’ positive experiences of their learning through the use of visual narratives, observation, and field notes in two secondary school classes in Sweden. Four themes were found: (1) knowing the needs of mind and body, (2) embracing each other in mutual support, (3) learning in a facilitating environment, and (4) using a variety of learning modalities. Students wished to have a voice in setting the curriculum, favored a variety of assignments, and sought to expand their learning environment beyond the classroom. Finally, challenges for teachers and school leaders are discussed.

Civics And Citizenship Education In Schools In Afghanistan, Mohammad Tariq Habibyar

Master's Capstone Projects

This thesis focuses on the status of civics and citizenship education in schools in Afghanistan. My purpose for this study was (a) to understand what is taught about civics education in classrooms, (b) what concepts of civics education are addressed in the national curriculum and the text books, and (c) what role civics education plays in Afghan schools to produce productive citizens. My assumption is that schools have direct impact on civics understanding of the students and how they use their civics knowledge in everyday life. Civics education raises students’ political, governance, and social awareness and informs them about their …