Education Commons^™

Responding To Students Experiencing Emotional Distress: An Action Research Study Of Professional Learning Experiences For Faculty And Staff, Christopher Taylor Lakes

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

Students entering college are increasingly presenting with complex mental health conditions that negatively affect their college experiences. This mixed methods action research study was designed to assess the current level of faculty and staff member’s abilities with respect to, comfort with, and role in identifying and responding to students who exhibit signs of emotional distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation). Specifically, this study was designed to evaluate faculty and staff understanding of skills, techniques, and resources that can support them in this work, identify an appropriate professional learning experience (i.e., intervention) to increase the level of comfort in this area, …

New Teacher Induction: Improving Teacher Self-Efficacy, William Jesse Bacon

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

Induction programs are comprehensive initiations or introductions to a position that provides beginning teachers with the necessary tools for starting their teaching careers, as well as specific guidance aimed at helping them meet performance standards. Induction programs may include mentoring, assistance in planning, professional development, and evaluation. Other terms used for induction include support, orientation, training, internship, assistance or assessment programs, retention programs, beginning teacher program, transitional program for existing teacher, cohort program, phase-in, professional development, and workshops. School districts across the country have turned to effective induction programs in response to rising teacher attrition rates. Comprehensive induction programs that …

A Personalized Approach To Professional Development Through A Community Of Practice, Kelly I. Cua

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

Personalized learning has gained traction in the United States as schools look to improve student learning through means that are less focused on standardized tests and are more focused on individualized student needs (Cavanagh, 2014). To successfully implement a new learning initiative such as personalized learning, high-caliber training must be provided. Research indicates a teacher's expertise and effectiveness account for the most significant difference in student achievement (Ferguson, 2001; Hattie, 2012), and therefore quality teacher professional development is paramount. One way to improve a teacher’s excellence and effectiveness is through sustained, collaborative, and meaningful professional development.

In this study, I …

Instructional Coaching: Developing Efficacy For Project-Based Learning, Klista L. Rader

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

Project-based learning is a method of instruction utilizing techniques of brainstorming, research, and problem-solving. When learning in project-based environments, students work collaboratively and receive feedback from an authentic audience of knowledgeable and experienced professionals. Although these instructional methods are beneficial for student learning, they conflict with traditional instructional practices. Although teachers in a rural Missouri school district received professional development for incorporating project-based learning, they expressed feelings of confusion, uncertainty, and decreased competency when relinquishing traditional instructional methods. These feelings are indicative of low levels of self-efficacy that can negatively influence the degree to which new instructional methods are implemented …