Education Commons^™

Trauma Informed Leadership: Leading Through The Chaos, Christina Ruegamer, Joan T. Dorsey, Laine Smith, Megan G. Robertson

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

The purpose of this professional learning module is to create and promote trauma-informed leadership. Throughout the module, leaders will also learn about the six trauma-informed principles on establishing a trauma-informed site. The design of this professional learning module is to prepare leaders in addressing situations involving trauma at their site. This module can be used individually for leadership training and/or professional development. It should take one to two hours to complete. Once the training is completed, an assessment will be given. Upon successful completion of the assessment with a score of 80% or higher, a certificate will be provided via …

Student-Led Conferences, Kendra Alston, Tabitha Boyd-Collins, Lucia K. Jacobs, Phyllis Marshall

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

This professional learning module is designed to lead educators through the process of successfully developing and implementing effective student-led conferences to improve student ownership in their learning and to increase family engagement. The goal is to determine what structures need to be in place in classrooms and schools, to define the key components of student-led conferences, and to explain the impact of implementing student-led conferences on the school community and overall school structure. The module presents current research and resources supporting student-led conferences in school. Resources include activities, videos, and assessments. Educators are presented potential barriers to student-led conferences and …

Teacher Perceptions Regarding The Impact Of Multicultural Literature, When It Is Implemented During Guided Reading Instruction, On Reading Comprehension For African American Male Students In Early Childhood, Cassandra Gregory

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Reading is an essential skill, used in every aspect of daily life. It is the foundation for every other form of learning (Alberti, 2010). Over the years, there has been a gap in reading achievement between African American male students and other demographic groups (Milner et al., 2013). This study examined the effectiveness of small group reading using multicultural literature in kindergarten through third grade, especially for the African American male student. A framework based on Vygotsky’s (1978) theory of cognitive development provides support for a systematic literacy approach. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine teacher …

Program Evaluation Of The J-1 Visa Teacher Exchange Program From The Perspective Of Exchange Teachers Within A Rural School District, Gradesa Lockhart

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Teacher shortages have had a significant impact on student learning outcomes in a time of immense testing accountability; yet, the way rural school districts handle the teacher shortage varies, from policies to incentive pay, to the use of international teachers. International teachers have become a significant resource for some rural districts to address teacher shortages. This study focused on the lived experiences of a subset of international teachers who are working in United States schools via the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP). The findings of the study authenticated the purpose of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1946, more commonly known as the …

An Exploratory Study Of Experiences That Influence North Carolina Initially Licensed Teachers’ Culturally Responsive Teaching Self-Efficacy, Estella Williams

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This mixed methods study examined initially licensed teachers’ culturally responsive teaching self-efficacy (CRTSE) using the CRTSE survey and conducting interviews with initially licensed teachers scoring above the mean on one or more CRTSE constructs. It extended upon previous work conducted by Siwatu (2011) that explored the CRTSE experiences of preservice teachers. Siwatu’s (2011) study focused on subjects’ teacher education programs before they entered the teaching profession. Participants in this replication study were initially licensed teachers who shared opportunities from teacher preparation to in-service development as an influence on their CRTSE. The study explored these influences as an impact on behavior …

Compassionate Care: Working With Students With Aces, Leah Massey Huttlinger, Andrea Gardner Nordberg

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

This Professional Learning Module (PLM) was created for educators to learn more about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the negative impact trauma has on student learning. Participants in the PLM will learn about ACEs, the brain science related to trauma, behaviors associated with ACEs in the classroom, strategies to help mitigate the impact of ACEs in the classroom. Participants will have the opportunity to apply these strategies to real-life situations within the PLM. The PLM was meant to be completed independently, in small groups, or as whole-group faculty training. The option to submit a certificate for CEUs is provided upon …

Conceptual Math For The Math-Anxious Teacher, Rebecca Chapman, Heather Thomas, Barbara Clarke

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

In this module we will explore many concepts supporting conceptual instruction of math from middle-elementary levels to lower-secondary level math. We help you teach not just how the math concepts work but why they work so students are empowered to engage! (Boaler, 2016)

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Wise Feedback, Mary Newton

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

The purpose of this Virtual Professional Learning Module (VPLM) is to familiarize educators with what wise feedback is and how to provide wise feedback to students. It was created to offer professional learning to secondary English Language Arts (ELA) educators participating in a dissertation research study about the impact of wise feedback on students, teachers, and classrooms. Despite being geared toward educators in a 9-12 English Language Arts setting, wise feedback and the VPLM can be applicable to educators in other 9-12 content areas.

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A Guide To Standards-Based Learning, Geneva Bell, Sarah Rector, Elizabeth Schrecengost, Beth Washle

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

This learning module educates parents/guardians and teachers new to the practice to understand what standards-based learning is, why a school system would use it, how to know when students are learning the standards, and the difference from traditional learning.

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The Qualitative Study On The Effect Of Teacher/Student Relationships On Student Academics And Behaviors, Dionnya Pratt

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to review and analyze the strategies teachers use in order to develop positive teacher/student relationships in the classroom of a high-poverty, at-risk school district. The cross-case analysis was performed to determine teacher perceptions of their interactions with students and how they influence academics and behavior. Determining the mindset changes needed to maintain positive relationships will provide information that will be used to build effective schools through teacher trainings. Through analysis of teacher interviews, classroom observations, and journal entries, five predominate themes were determined. Relationships, culture, classroom management, high-quality instruction, and engagement were found to …

Coaching Initiative For Beginning Teachers (Bt): Lessons Learned From One District’S Bt Support Program, Kathleen Brown, Monica Davis, Casey Elrod, Evan Hill, Derrick D. Jordan

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Instructional coaching is a way to support classroom teachers in their efforts to provide high quality instruction across academic content areas. Because of beginner teachers’ needs for extra support, many districts are now embracing instructional coaches to provide specific pedagogical feedback to their beginning teachers via job-embedded, individualized, and sustained professional guidance. This initial, exploratory study employed mixed methods to gain both qualitative and quantitative insights into one district’s Beginning Teacher Support Program in general and Coaching Program in particular. Results indicate that, without a laser-like focus on instruction, the impact of coaching on student achievement and teacher retention is …

Collegial Feedback: Navigating The Obstacles, Anna Coats, Shaunee Howard, Kevin Ward

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

The purpose of this PLM is to provide a conceptual framework for effective collegial feedback and to enhance the educational process. It was devised to empower individuals through building capacity in identifying possible obstacles to effective collegial feedback and to acquaint individuals with resources and strategies to overcome obstacles in collegial feedback. This PLM was designed for educators who have to provide feedback, including mentors, instructional coaches, and peer observers. Because it aligns with the adult learners’ ways of knowing, it is geared toward those who give feedback to adults rather than K-12 students.

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Coaching The Resistant Teacher, Mallory Bricker, Gwendolyn Johnson, Lashaunda Plain-Mamon

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

This module was created to assist instructional coaches, curriculum facilitators, peer coaches, assistant principals, or anyone in a leadership position to help teachers grow professionally. You, the instructional coach or leader, have expertise in content, andragogy, pedagogy, and communication. However, as instructional leaders, we have all come up against the teacher unwilling to participate in the coaching process. According to Lancaster (2016), the challenges that instructional coaches encounter are "teacher resistance to coaching support, scheduling conflicts, ill-defined roles and responsibilities, lack of administrative support, and teacher reluctance to change" (p. 23). No matter the reason, through this module you will …

Collaborative Professional Learning In Early Literacy: The Impact On Teacher Knowledge, Actions, And Beliefs, Jaime Henderson Dawson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Literacy is the foundation for individual success and economic independence. Early literacy development is an area of importance; thus, professional learning in early literacy is critical and significant. This study examined the impact of a collaborative professional learning model in early literacy on teacher knowledge, actions, and efficacy and how learning transfer resulted in changes to instructional practices. The study utilized an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. Data were collected from participants in a specific collaborative professional learning model, the Early Literacy Professional Development (ELPD) model. Quantitative data were collected through surveys to identify professional learning topics perceived as having …

Analysis Of The Impact Of Professional Learning Teams On Teaching Practices And Student Achievement In Biology Using Dufour’S Model, Rowena K. Dawkins

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This mixed-methods study addresses the perceived impact of working in Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) on teaching practices and student achievement in biology. The study replicates Roberts’s (2010) study. Success in biology is important to the nation because it aligns with national efforts to prepare students to compete in global markets. Educators use PLTs to support development of educators and address student educational needs. PLTs share basic functions. Basic functions were defined using DuFour’s (2004) three big ideas of PLCs: ensuring students learn at high levels, promoting a collaborative culture, and focusing on academic results. Biology teachers completed an anonymous online …

Examining The Effects Of Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices Of Educators, Lenore Thompson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This dissertation was designed to examine how experiences, education, and professional development informed culturally responsive pedagogy and influenced teacher beliefs in their ability to guide students to success when employing culturally responsive teaching practices. The research school district was located in the piedmont region of North Carolina. It was determined after reviewing the district’s historical student achievement data there was a trend of underachievement by marginalized groups of students. Licensed educators completed the Culturally Responsive Teaching Self-Efficacy (CRTSE) Scale and the Culturally Responsive Teaching Outcome Expectancy (CRTOE) Scale in order to determine their level of preparedness to teach students from …

The Impact Of Research-Based Professional Development On Teacher Self-Efficacy And Collective Efficacy Beliefs With Respect To Applying Techniques From Teach Like A Champion 2.0, Rhonda L. Partin-Dunn

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This mixed methods research examined the impact of professional development on teacher self-efficacy and collective efficacy beliefs with respect to applying techniques from Teach Like A Champion 2.0. Increasing research shows there is a positive correlation between student achievement and high levels of teacher self-efficacy. Studies on teacher preparation acknowledge the role professional development plays on both teacher self-efficacy and collective efficacy beliefs. Additionally, research-based best practices like the techniques found in Teach Like A Champion 2.0 have been established as behaviors of highly efficacious teachers. The study assessed teacher self-efficacy and collective efficacy beliefs, provided research-based professional development, …

From Student Engagement To Student Empowerment, Gail D. Gallman, Kelsey J. Gibson

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

This Professional Learning Module is designed to provide educators with the resources and skills to move their classroom interactions from engaging students to empowering students. The module focuses on six levels of student empowerment that focus on the whole child: intellectual, emotional, behavioral, physical, social, and cultural engagement. Throughout the module, educators will be provided with a series of activities that provide the educator with the opportunity to reflect on and engage with the strategies as they are represented in their own classrooms.

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Inclusion: A Sense Of Belonging, Judith Mills, Pamela Moore, Alisha Privette

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

The purpose of this professional development module is to improve knowledge and skills in order to facilitate individual, school-wide, and district-wide improvements for the purpose of increasing academic and social achievement of students with disabilities in the inclusive setting.

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Restorative Practices: An Introduction To A Positive, Research-Based Alternative To A Punitive Discipline System, Mindy Duckworth, Bianca Jeffries, Kelli Passmore

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

The purpose of this professional learning module (PLM) is to introduce educators to a positive, research-based alternative to traditional punitive discipline systems and encourage research-based practices to improve behavior. This module is intended to be completed individually.

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Diversity Informed Practices For Effective Family And School Communication, Shanda Jones, Joyce Patton, Tiffani Richardson

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

This module is designed to encourage teachers to examine their own perceptions of poverty and how these perceptions can influence and impact the degree and quality of parent communication. The module is self-paced and presents teachers with a variety of perspectives and resources to appeal to multiple learning modalities. As teachers increase their knowledge base about perceptions of poverty and family communication they will begin to bridge the home/school communication gap and improve student outcomes.

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A Case Study On The Self-Perceptions Of The Role, Responsibilities, And Professional Development Needs Of Instructional Coaches, Karen Auton

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This case study was an exploration of how instructional coaches self-perceived the role and the responsibilities of the role, the barriers encountered in the role, and the professional development needs of both novice and seasoned instructional coaches. Results revealed that the role of an instructional coach is ill-defined, and the role can often be complicated by the lack of a shared definition of the role. Data also revealed that a lack of time allocated for carrying out duties assigned to instructional coaches along with the lack of experience and understanding of the role serve as significant barriers encountered by coaches. …

Professional Growth: How Do Cooperating Teachers Grow Through The Experience Of Having A Student Teacher?, Ashton D. Coppley

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Cooperating teachers and student teachers share a unique internship that allows the development of skills for both individuals. The literature states that cooperating teachers can grow from student teachers; however, there are a few sources that state the areas in which this growth occurs. The purpose of this study was to determine if growth or impact happened in the areas of instructional practices, coaching skills, and self-efficacy during the student teaching process. This mixed methods study included a survey, focus group interview, and single interviews to determine whether any change was made. The survey created descriptive statistics, a Pearson correlation …

Impact Of Reflection: A Qualitative Study Measuring The Impact Reflection Has On Teacher Effectiveness, Samuel Jones

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This research study examined current reflective practices used by kindergarten through 12^th grade teachers in a single school district in North Carolina. The study sought to identify themes regarding the impact reflection has on teacher effectiveness, with effectiveness being measured by the five teaching standards of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. I identified participants as National Board certified teachers and Non-National Board certified teachers to study the similarities and differences in reflective practices between the two groups. A questionnaire, self-assessment, and interviews were utilized to collect participant data. This study’s data showed that teachers from both groups …

Teacher Reflective Practice And The Influence On Student Achievement, Laura Wyatt

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This research study explored in-service teacher reflective practices. Data were collected via survey and interview to answer questions about how teachers define and engage in reflective practice, how teachers develop as reflective practitioners, and how reflective practice influences student achievement. The survey population included 170 elementary and middle level teachers in a school district in the upstate of South Carolina. Student achievement was based upon English language arts and math standardized testing data. Likert items explored the frequency, social context, and modes of reflective practice in which teachers engage. Open-response items provided teachers the opportunity to further describe practices and …

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy And The Beginning Teacher: An Investigation Of The Role Of North Carolina Teacher Education Programs In Teacher Preparedness, Lisa D. Mccullough

Doctor of Education Dissertations

With the changing faces of America’s public school classrooms, colleges and universities that are responsible for the preparation of quality teachers will need to ensure that these future educators are equipped with the knowledge and ability to address the learning needs of students of color. This study was designed to examine how North Carolina teacher education programs prepare preservice teachers and beginning teachers with knowledge of culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP). Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach, beginning teacher (n=25) perceptual data were collected and analyzed utilizing a predeveloped survey instrument followed by a focus group in order to further describe …

A Phenomenological Investigation Of Mindfulness Practice Through The Lived Experiences Of Secondary Educators, Karen H. Styers

Education Dissertations and Projects

Teacher burnout and stress are at an all-time high. The teaching profession is reported to be one of the most stressful occupations, especially in 21st century learning environments. The researcher discovered mindfulness and was amazed how this practice allowed her to “breathe” through the difficult and challenging moments. Inspired by her own mindfulness practice, the researcher wanted to discover if mindfulness was as powerful a tool to other mindfulness teachers and educators. This phenomenological investigation explored the lived experiences of 11 secondary educators who self-identify as mindfulness practitioners. Through carefully constructed open-ended questions, the researcher was able to delve into …

Educating Our Educators: How Teachers Understand Themselves As Adult Learners And Perceive Their Professional Learning Experiences, Desirae` Khampanya

Education Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated how teachers understand themselves as adult learners and perceive their professional learning experiences within a rural school district in North Carolina. This study was a replication of Fitzgerald’s (2014) dissertation and sought to extend the generalizability of the original study. An explanatory mixed-methods design was used, and the two sources of data collected included an online survey and virtual interviews. The results from this study indicated that almost all participating teachers learned best when the core adult learning principles (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 2015) were applied to their professional learning experiences, but less than half of those …

From The Beginning: A Start To End Analysis Of A Beginning Teacher Program, Andrea M. Anderson

Education Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods study evaluated the effectiveness of a Beginning Teacher Support Program in the southern region of a school district. The effects of teacher turnover, national teacher shortages, induction programs, mentoring, administrative support, professional development, and other support offered to beginning teachers were analyzed. The researcher created a survey that was administered to high school beginning teachers, mentor teachers, and principals. A focus group and an interview with a regional beginning teacher coordinator were also conducted to further evaluate the effectiveness of the district’s beginning teacher program. The results of the study concluded that beginning teachers benefitted from participating in …

The Impact Of Teacher Working Conditions And Beginning Teacher Support On The Retention Of Beginning Teachers In High - Poverty School Districts, Alfredia Moore

Education Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the impact of beginning teacher support and teacher working conditions on the retention of beginning teachers in high poverty school districts. This study examined Title I and Low Wealth funded school districts in the southeastern quadrant of North Carolina. Preexisting data, available through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction [NCDPI], were used to determine the possibility and extent of relationships among the variables. The four components of a beginning teacher support program are orientation, the assignment of a mentor, professional development, and observations and evaluations. The elements of teacher working …