Digital Commons Network^™

Finding The Resilient Teacher Within: A Workshop To Address K-12 Teacher Well-Being, Laura Jones

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Teacher stress comes from a variety of sources: accountability pressures, lack of time to relax, students who are not motivated, excessive duties and responsibilities that go beyond the classroom, testing pressure, large class size, lack of administrative support, and general concern for the safety and well being of their students (Richards, 2012). As a result of the constant high stress, more teachers are reporting mental/physical health issues and leaving the profession (Richards, 2012). One way to help deal with the stress teachers are feeling is to strengthen the teacher from within by using the resources they have already. This paper …

Advocacy In Action: A Framework For Implementation Of The American Counselors Association Advocacy Competencies On A Local Level, Jeffrey M. Lown

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Despite calls from within the professional field and external forces, counselors have faced ongoing challenges in their efforts to be effective advocates for their clients and themselves. A review of the literature reveals that throughout the history of the profession, prominent figures have called on counselors to assume advocacy roles, and that some initiatives have been successful in fostering lasting change. However, as counselors and their clients’ needs continue to evolve, so too must strategies to address these needs be reevaluated and new initiatives put into place.

In this paper, I have outlined a committee structure and agenda that seeks …

Addressing The Mental Health Needs Of Women In Rural Communities: A Women’S Wellness Group, Andriana Hench

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This paper explores the mental health needs of women in rural communities. Based on Myers and Sweeny’s Wellness Model (2008), as well as other relevant research, I have developed a group curriculum as a unique intervention to reach this specific population. This paper provides an overview of relevant literature and includes both a handbook for group facilitators and a participant workbook that compliments the facilitator handbook. This group curriculum is suggested for Clinical Mental Health Counselors and other mental health professionals to promote wellness among rural women.

Prescription For Critical Thinking: A Discussion Of Psychotropic Medication And Counseling, Barton W. Biggs

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This paper examines questions about the safety and efficacy of psychotropic medication, and looks at how these questions should impact the field of counseling. The paper first looks at increasing rates of use of psychotropic medication, and establishes that nearly every clinical mental health counselor will work with clients who are taking or considering taking such medication. The paper next examines the scientific literature and establishes that there is a legitimate basis for questions to be raised about the safety and efficacy of these medications. The paper goes on to establish that there is a foundation in ethical codes and …

Being Left Behind, Not Staying Behind: A Look At College-Aged African American Males, Lauren Fortune

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The purpose of this Ed.S. project is to examine the barriers African American males face and their resiliency factors. The information will be used to educate others about the issues faced by this group and what factors positively impact their success. The participants consisted of six African American Males who attend James Madison University and are between the ages of 18-22. A qualitative research design was used. The interviews were semi-structured with a five-question interview protocol. There were specific themes that emerged from the research that were barriers as well as resiliemcy factors. Barriers included the impact of fathers and …

Military Families’ Reintegration And Resiliency: An Examination Of Programs And Civilian Counselor Training, Jaime Grove

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Military members and their families have many potential issues to face, both during deployment and reintegration. Some of these issues include mental health problems, relationships with family members, employment, etc… This paper will include a review of the literature regarding current concerns of military members and their families, an overview of some of the existing programs aimed to help this population, interviews with three counselors working with the military population, and conclusions and recommendations for future programs. Findings included differences between programs in the research and what techniques counselors may be using and strategies for developing effective programs.

Satisfaction Of Students With Visual Impairment Within Different School Settings, Jeremiah Jordan

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This is an investigation of the satisfaction of students with visual impairment attending school in different educational settings, including students attending school in a specialized educational setting, as well as students with visual impairment attending school in a mainstreamed educational setting. This paper explores research on the effectiveness and perceptions of inclusion for children with disabilities, particularly children with visual impairment. Specific research on this topic is sparse and the researcher proposed a new research study, in which the satisfaction of students with visual impairment was targeted and explored in both a specialized educational setting and mainstreamed educational setting. High …

Investigating School Psychologists' Role In Informing Students About Their Learning Disabilities, Caitlin J. Reddy

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Despite the lack of research on developmentally appropriate practices for school psychologists to use when informing students with specific learning disabilities, a literature review revealed possible barriers to school psychologists directly informing these students, such as IDEA regulations, parental objection, developmental concerns, and limited training. To better understand the current practices of school psychologists when informing younger students of their learning disability, training needs, and perceived barriers, the researcher surveyed 166 Virginia school psychologists. Results from the online survey indicated that if a student is informed, their special education teacher or parents are more likely to than the school psychologist. …

Impacts Of Mindfulness On Disruptive Behaviors Associated With Characteristics Of Adhd, Joseph L. Sims

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The prevalence of ADHD has drastically increased over the last decade, and children with this disorder often receive attention from their teachers for their disruptive behaviors (Visser, Danielson, Bitsko, Holbrook, Kogan, Ghandour,... & Blumberg, 2014). Students with ADHD often struggle with controlling their impulses that lead to these disruptions in the classroom. If not addressed, the classroom learning environment is likely to be negatively impacted (Lambert, Cartledge, Heward, & Lo, 2006). Introducing students with ADHD to the practice of mindfulness may help to create a space, or a delay in responding, between thoughts and actions which may, in turn, reduce …

Suicidal Behavior Among Elementary School Students And Current Needs In Prevention Practices: A Survey Of Virginia School Counselors, Maranda K. D. Vandyke

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Most of the research on suicidal behavior has focused on the middle and high school level, and an extensive review of the literature shows that more information is needed on the current needs and prevention practices at the elementary school level. In Virginia, school psychologists rated school counselors the top professional in elementary schools to lead suicide intervention and prevention efforts. Due to this, the current study examined 161 Virginia school counselors’ responses to an online survey to further explore intervention and prevention efforts among school professionals. Both school counselors and school psychologists noted that receiving additional training and having …

After-School Programming As Intervention For Students With Disabilities, Edward D. Tynan

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

After-school programs are increasing in popularity, with an estimated 6.5 million students attending organized after-school programs (Harvard Family Research Project, 2008). With the continuing rise in popularity of these programs, more students (including students with disabilities) have access to after-school programs. The purpose of the current research was to discover what current practitioners of school psychology recommend in regards to after-school programming for students with disabilities. All participants were school psychologists or staff members at after-school programs located within either the Richmond, VA region (including the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, and Henrico County) or the Harrisonburg,VA region (including the …

Transition Services In The Public School System For Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Krista M. Gieseke-Smith

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Due to early intervention efforts and improved diagnoses, more individuals with high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are able to attend postsecondary education than ever before (Adreon & Durocher, 2007). However, due to the inherent nature of autism, the transition to postsecondary education can be of great difficulty and cause a great deal of anxiety for these individuals. The purpose of the current research was to explore what is being done to aid in the transition to postsecondary education for this specific population and what is helpful. All participants were male and either had or currently are receiving special education …

How Does Perfectionism Influence Anxiety In Gifted Middle School Students?, Kelsey Owens

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Research has demonstrated that gifted students tend to experience a higher level of perfectionism when compared to their regular education peers. While perfectionism may aid these students in their academics, it can also contribute to negative consequences in terms of the social and emotional needs of these students, such as anxiety. This research study sought to add to the literature by examining whether perfectionism does influence anxiety in gifted middle school students. Twenty-two middle school students enrolled in a center-based gifted program participated in this study by completing two measures: one examining levels of perfectionism and another examining levels of …

The Evolution Of Disney Princesses And Their Effect On Body Image, Gender Roles, And The Portrayal Of Love, Rachael Michelle Johnson

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The media plays an essential role in determining people’s schemas of the real world, assumptions about cultural ideals, and perceptions surrounding body image, gender roles, and the idealization of love (Behm-Morawitz & Mastro, 2008; Herbozo, Tantleff-Dunn, Gokee-Larose, & Thompson, 2004). Children in particular are vulnerable to these messages due to their high consumption of media and their cognitive development (Agarwal & Dhanasekaran, 2012; Herbozo et al., 2004). Disney is one the most powerful aspects in children’s media and their princess phenomenon plays an essential role in perpetuating stereotypes by having their heroines embody submissiveness, being young and thin, and attracting …

Academic Advising: Helping Promote The Success Of College Students With College Students With Psychiatric Disabilities, Jamie P. Claytor

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Academic advisors in higher education include professional full-time staff advisors, faculty advisors, graduate assistants, interns, and staff who serve dual roles as academic advisors and career advisors. Who among these many groups does the advising can have an impact on how advising is delivered and of what the advising process consists. For those students dealing with psychiatric disabilities, they may find themselves suffering academically and afraid to ask for help. It is essential to have an academic advisor who can recognize students in distress, guidelines regarding how to deal with these students, and steps to take when referral to a …

Emerging Adulthood: Defining The Life Stage And Its Developmental Tasks, Hannah B. Trible

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Emerging adulthood, as first proposed by Jeffrey Arnett, is the developmental period spanning ages 18-29. Culturally, it is a time of institutionalized role moratorium, especially in post-industrial societies. Emerging adults share the five characteristics of self-focus, instability, identity explorations, feeling in-between, and a sense of possibilities. Emerging adulthood takes place across racial, cultural, and socioeconomic groups, although the experience of emerging adulthood varies among groups. The present paper provides an overview of the theory of emerging adulthood and its expressions in American society. An original program called “The Something Potluck” is outlined in the Appendix. The Something Potluck is designed …

The Effects Of Mindfulness Techniques On Empathy And Emotional Control, Courtney M. Dameron

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Schools’ reaction to bullying is often just that; reactive, rather than proactive. Bullying is reported and then the school takes action in one of two ways. The perpetrator is punished or the victim is supported. Sometimes schools do both. What schools are frequently missing from this equation is that no one supports the student who engaged in the bullying behavior. Research tells us that there are negative effects for all students involved in bullying. Yet few work to support the students who engage in bullying behavior. Not only would this help prevent negative effects for the individual student, it may …

The Evaluation Of A Dual Language Reading Club For English Language Learner Students, Sandra M. Gonzalez

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Reading is a crucial skill in our society that is needed in personal growth and academic achievement; it is a prominent area of concern in our schools and students. Schools in the U.S. are experiencing a substantial increase of students whose first language is not English and/or do not speak fluent English and are known as English Language Learners (ELLs). These students are typically at risk for having problems with reading if they do not receive the proper or adequate support and intervention. Many ELL students struggle in their ability to read at a proficient level, which has multiple negative …

Digital Natives: The Nature Of Technology On College Student Mental Health, Nicole Crump

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Anxiety and depression are consistent issues experienced amongst college student populations in the United States (American College Health Association, 2013). However, there is limited research on what contributes to the cause of increased student reports of anxiety and depression. While there are many contributing factors to a student’s experience of anxiety and depression, little to no research has looked at the effect of social media and nature on college student anxiety and depression. The researcher has provided a literature review on the benefits and barriers of nature and technology use on college student’s health. The researcher conducted a multivariate correlational …