Education Commons^™

Leadership And Instructional Coaching: A Synthesis Of Approaches And Practices That Promote Change, Katie L. Perkins

Essays in Education

The aim of this educational essay is to provide a literature-based synthesis of the leadership approaches and practices of instructional coaches that best support teacher development. The essay is grounded in transformational leadership theory (Bass & Avolio, 1990) and synthesizes three main constructs for effective instructional coaching. These constructs include: andragogical practices (Knowles, 2015), the ethics of care (Beck, 1994), and organizational change (Burke, 2014). Incorporating these leadership practices may encourage effective teacher-coach relationships, promote teacher development and retention, and ultimately increase student success.

Contact Center Healthcare Worker Stress Levels During Times Of Rapid Change, Christine Dvorak

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose of this study is to explore the factors contributing to stress during times of rapid change with healthcare staff working behind the scenes in a contact center. This study will focus on contact center employees working in a healthcare setting where rapid change is frequent and how this impacts individual stress levels. The research currently shows that burnout and increased stress is on the rise for the front-line staff working in healthcare (Meese et al., 2021). To better support contact center employees, it will be imperative to understand the causes of stress and burnout in their roles. Once …

Reading Through The Pause: How Superintendents Viewed Literacy For Middle Grade Learners During The Pandemic, Dana Evans, Paige Paquette, Dionne Rosser-Mims, Terry Oatts, Brenda Coley

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

This paper highlights the voices of two superintendents' lived experiences guiding teachers, parents, and students in their districts during the pandemic shutdown. The emphasis of literacy education showcases the ways in which middle grades learners were able to continue discursive practices through online platforms to share and engage with texts. This reflective piece describes the process of perseverance in literacy education through the pandemic pause.

Prologue: Faculty Of Color Expressions And Perspectives, Kathryn Engdahl

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

This special issue of the Journal of Advancing Education Practice featuring Faculty of Color Expressions and Perspectives creates a critical forum for truth-telling, education, and empowerment. It offers an invitation to deepen understanding of each other’s experience, and to integrate that deeper understanding in practice to enhance ongoing equity and inclusion work.

Leading The Social Development Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Para-Educator Perspectives, Michelle Morehouse

Leadership Education Capstones

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore para-educator perspectives on implementing social development strategies for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the academic setting, students with ASD, receiving services through an individualized education plan (IEP), have the option to receive para-educator support.

Social development growth opportunities naturally occur throughout the school day, placing para-educators in situations where implementing social development support can enhance this growth. How do para-educators perceive this role as social development supporters? Do they feel equipped to implement social development support in the general education setting?

This study used a mixed methods design, through …

Teachers’ Use Of Email For Communication With Students’ Families, Matthew Ferry

Leadership Education Capstones

The educational system holds an important role and responsibility in the attempt to educate all the youth in the country. A critical dynamic in the success of educating America is connected to the teacher’s ability to use online communication to build strong teacher-parent relationships. The purpose of this research study was to explore the levels of training that teachers have experienced in teacher education programs and professional development opportunities and the impacts it had on online communication to parents for their students. The study utilized surveys to poll teachers on the training they experienced during their career and the frequency …

Navigating The Unknown: A Black Faculty Member’S Journey In The Predominantly White University, Sherrise Y. Truesdale-Moore

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

The author provides a narrative of her faculty experience in a predominately white university. She depicts her academic journey through the lens of an African American woman motivated to teach in higher education, share expertise, become a role model, and offer new knowledge to the profession. In the essay, she shares challenges about navigating the workspace while successfully fulfilling contractual obligations. For faculty of color teaching in a predominately white university, she emphasizes the need for a sense of belonging and mentoring through a culturally responsive approach.

If You Build It, They Will Take It: Institutional Theft Of The Academic Work Of Black Faculty, Dejuanna Parker

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

This reflection piece described the perception of the lived experience of Black adjunct faculty and a program director of an inaugural Education Doctorate program. The essay recounts milestone moments of program development, administrative theft of the program, and the replacement of all Black inaugural faculty with lesser experienced White faculty who were unfamiliar with the philosophy and content of the program. A message of wisdom and a glimmer of hope is offered to Black faculty who find themselves in a similar context.

Black Male School Administrators Unbridled: Strategies To Say What Needs To Be Said, Jamel Gibson

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Black males in educational leadership positions need strategies to remain authentic, make cultural connections to staff and students, and to be free to speak to stakeholders without fear of reprimand, retaliation, demotion, and other negative perceptions associated with American stereotypes. This opinion paper will share insight on the challenges coupled with being a Black male administrator in the American public school system and provide strategies for success.

Intentional Mentoring: A Shared Journey Of Discovering And Supporting Diverse Talent In Academia, Barbara Holmes, Kent Willis

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Thriving in academe for faculty of color is difficult and challenging (Gasman, 2022). Faculty of Color face enormous odds of overcoming barriers such as an unwelcoming culture, isolation, lack of professional support, imposter syndrome and disengagement from the community of scholars. In recognition of these factors, intentional mentoring provides a strategy of support in facilitating successful persistence in the academy.

This autoethnographic paper explores the mentor-mentee relationship of a tenured faculty member whose contributions in mentorship and coaching produced notable professional growth for countless doctoral students and new faculty members. Sharing the experiences of one mentee and mentor may inform …

Model Classrooms: One Approach To Teacher Shortages, Ashlee Boothe

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Due to a nationwide teacher shortage, instructional leaders are utilizing more alternatively certified teachers than in the past, creating a problem for principals (Darling-Hammond & Berry, 2006; Birinci and Amburgey, 2022). Teachers in alternatively certified programs often lack pedagogy due to an absence of educational training, and as a result, principals hire teachers who are inadequately trained for the classroom. Therefore, there is a need to improve the way instructional leaders prepare alternatively certified teachers. The solution to this dilemma is creating professional learning through model classrooms, a term coined by the author. Model classrooms serve as exemplars to other …

Prologue, Leo Mcauley Brown

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

This edition focuses on the need to cultivate scholarly learning communities. Education leaders can benefit from relevant research that may aid in keeping students and educators engaged. The editorial staff of JAEP is committed to creating spaces for topics that support scholarly inquiry.

Collegiate Football Players Perception Of The Covid-19 Virtual College Experience, Cole L. Laliberty

Leadership Education Capstones

The world was faced with chaos as the COVID-19 virus surged impacting the lives of everyone around the world. Quickly, nations and states began to lockdown as people were required to stay inside and socially distance from one another. The pandemic changed the lives of collegiate football players’ drastically. It left collegiate football players stranded away from teammates, coaches, families, and resources. The research design was a mixed method design consisting of both qualitative and quantitative data. The data obtained from this research focused on major themes of how collegiate football players perceived the pandemics virtual college experience, the challenges …

Social Isolation Interventions For Older, Underrepresented And Vulnerable Americans: A Descriptive Study Of Public Library Outreach Services During The Covid Pandemic, Sally Mathews Inglett

Leadership Education Capstones

The United States entered a state of lockdown in March 2020 in order slow the spread of the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. With this lockdown came mandatory social isolation, which was especially impactful for older, underrepresented and vulnerable Americans. Public libraries acted as community information centers and took on many unexpected roles to benefit the common good. This study identified these interventions through research and survey, and their relationship to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (Maslow, 1943). This study also brought to light collaborative relationships between agencies, the redeployment of library staff and resources to meet these needs, the impact of the …

Leader Actions In Implementing Social Emotional Learning Programs In K-12 Schools, Thomas Sawyer

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose of this study was to describe the actions and perspectives of school leaders when implementing social emotional learning programs in their schools. Social emotional learning (SEL) has emerged as a topic for discussion and research in education. Schools all over the country are adopting programs and there is a need for research into how to implement them with fidelity. The main objectives were to understand what leaders value during implementation and what recommendations they have for future leaders implementing similar programs. This qualitative study used descriptive research methods to describe the phenomenon of SEL program implementation in one …

The Role Of Coaches To Assist Collegiate Student-Athletes For A Career After Athletics, Austin Thiessen

Leadership Education Capstones

This paper explored the importance of how coaches can assist student-athletes transitioning from an athletic career to a career outside of sports. The purpose of this study is to better understand the best methods for coaches to use to complete a successful, out of sport transition. This research focused on a Division III university in the Midwest. The research design was a combination of qualitative and data collected through interviews and surveys. The data from this study focused on a survey sent out to student-athletes along with separate interview questions to student-athletes and coaches who decided to participate. Student-athlete participants …

Five Steps Of Evaluative Feedback That Promotes Teacher Development, Katie Perkins, Audrey Roberts

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

The purpose of this article is to provide five succinct steps that effective leaders in education can implement when conducting teacher observations and evaluations. Through the analysis of current literature, the authors suggest that teacher evaluation includes (1) establishing norms, (2) building relationships, (3) conducting classroom observations, (4) providing feedback, and (5) setting goals and follow-up. The need for effective feedback delivery and evaluation is crucial for teacher development, and ultimately, student success.

Integrating Intercultural Communication Competence Into Entrepreneurially-Minded Online Discussions, Lisa Bosman, Bhavana Kotla, Carolina Cuesta, Neeraj Duhan

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Abstract: The continued rise of the global economy, especially during COVID-19, has required stakeholders, including higher education, to think more strategically about preparing future university graduates with intercultural skill development. This study contributes to the literature by showing one approach whereby faculty can integrate intercultural communication competence into the STEM classroom via entrepreneurially-minded online discussions (a form of information literacy). This semester-long study applied a mixed methods approach. First, students participated in five online discussions, which were analyzed qualitatively to identify themes and patterns. Second, at the end of the semester, after completing the online discussions, students responded to a …

Communication, Tricia Angus, Owen Burke, Nicole Crowson, Jesse Gallager, Mark Kruse, Cody Stoermann

Leadership Education Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Change Leadership, Hamid Atchan, John Cassellius, Jesse Gallager, Lanita Robinson, Cody Stoermann, Kari Vollrath, Barbara Holmes

Leadership Education Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Reducing Employee Burnout: The Role Of Organizations, Aixa E. Evenson

Leadership Education Capstones

Organizations experience high rates of burnout amongst their staff. Whether it be team productivity, staff deadline completion pace, work engagement, staff turnover rates, or other relevant areas of a leader’s team, burnout has shown to cause a significant decrease in satisfaction and functionality in a staffer’s workplace (Maslach & Leiter, 2016). The purpose of this study was to identify the organization’s role in supporting their leaders to reduce staff burnout. Theories that support this study are the Job-Demands Resource Theory, the Conservation of Resources Theory, and the Valuation Theory of Organizational Change. Each of these theories present a need for …

Midwest University Coach Perspectives On Student-Athlete Recruitment During Unprecedented Disruption, Jonah Bradley

Leadership Education Capstones

One significant result of the pandemic was the cancellation of athletic events, games, and tournaments across various sports. This disruption forced coaches to develop new ways to communicate with recruits, attract student-athletes to campuses, and started a new era in athletic recruitment. The significant importance of recruitment on college athletic operations, especially in building competitive programs, is one of the most overwhelming challenges. Understanding coach responses to student-athlete recruitment during a crisis may offer tactics for improvement in recruitment practices.

Wait! Don’T Quit! Stay With Your Doctoral Program During The Global Pandemic: Lessons Learned From Program Completers, Sonya Hurt, Ericka Woods Ways, Barbara Holmes

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Using the self-determination theory framework developed by Ryan and Deci (2000), this study explored the facilitation strategies doctoral candidates used to stay on task during the global pandemic. Areas of inquiry included academic progression, dissertation research writing processes and addressing impacts on work, academic studies and persistence. The study used a phenomenological approach of qualitative research design. Ten participants were selected using a convenient sampling method. Three themes emerged from the data that included (1) Balancing work and life quality issues, (2) Mastering academic protocols (3) Developing collective efficacy in scholar development. This study revealed that student dependence on the …

Reconsidering The Call To Teach: K-12 Teacher Responses To Schools’ Addressing A Global Health Disruption, Dejuanna Parker

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

This qualitative study explored K-12 teacher experiences with school responses to the pandemic that prompted instructors to reconsider the call to teach. Two theories provided a lens through which to view the problem. The Theory of Purpose was applied to analyzing instructors’ original decision to teach. Fortigenesis Theory undergirded the exploration of teacher responses to physical and emotional challenges. Three themes emerged as a result of data analysis: Discontent and Disdain for Post-Pandemic Teaching Practices, Emotional Distance Created by Physical Distance, and Administrative Priorities and Teacher Wellbeing.

Building Community For Completion: Doctoral Students’ Perceptions Of Technology Integration Within Dissertation Committee Collaboration, Scott Fillman, Barbara Holmes, Dejuanna Parker, Kent Willis

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the prevalence of technology-mediated collaboration and mentorship between dissertation committee members and doctoral student scholars. Qualitative research methods were used to explore the role of technology for collaboration and building community within dissertation committees, focusing on dissertation scholars’ perspectives. The study was based on one overarching research question: How do doctoral students describe the integration of technology for collaborating with dissertation committees? Doctoral scholar participants described the importance of technological literacy within dissertation committees, most indicating that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the importance of fluency with technology. Other participants portrayed the importance of technological literacy within …