Thriving Schools: The Role Of Middle Leadership During Change, Michelle M. Juhasz-Stevens

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

European Academy (EA; a pseudonym) has recently become authorised as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, with full implementation of the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Career-related Programme (CP) in addition to the Diploma Programme (DP) which has already been in place for 25 years. This Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP) presents a problem of practice (PoP) that addresses the sense of overwhelm associated with large scale change in schools and the approaches that mitigate cultural impact. This DiP is informed by EA’s legacy as an international school at the forefront of innovation which compels leadership to seek MYP …

Improving Work-Integrated Learning Experiences Through The Implementation Of A Quality Framework At A Multi-Campus College, Theresa M. Dobbin Pittman

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Work-integrated learning, commonly referred to as WIL, is a growing curricular experiential education practice integrating academic studies with practical experiences within a workplace setting. WIL is a strategic priority within Canadian and international post-secondary institutions, including Waterville College (a pseudonym), a multi-campus Canadian community college. WIL activities at Waterville College, while an institutional priority, have been identified through an internal review as an area with significant operational weaknesses. This dissertation-in-practice addresses the leadership problem of practice at Waterville College focusing on the inconsistent and unsystematic implementation of WIL. Grounded in principles of distributed and transformational leadership, the dissertation-in-practice examines Waterville …

Encouraging A Sustainable Model For Professional Learning: Implementing District Wide Initiatives As An External Consultant In The United States, Vicente C. Bustamante

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Effectuating the adoption of research proven instructional practices across the classrooms of an entire school district is a dauting task. Traditionally, the incorporation of external consultants has been met with mixed responses particularly when it involves teacher professional learning and the sustainability of learned practices in the classroom. This Dissertation-in-Practice seeks to understand the complex relationship that exists when external consultants partner with school districts to assist in the adoption and implementation of instructional practices across an entire organization. Through the incorporation of instructional and transformational leadership lenses, the role of the external consultant is leveraged as a mechanism to …

Learning To Lead: Leadership Development For Academic Administrators At A Canadian Community College, Brian Edward Benoit

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Abstract

This Dissertation-in-Practice addresses the Problem of Practice of a lack of intentional leadership development for academic administrators at College X (a pseudonym), a comprehensive community college in western Canada. Academic administrators typically come from the ranks of faculty. As Academic administrators, they serve particular functions and roles within the organization, functions and roles that are in many ways distinct from their previous work as faculty members. Academic administrators often lack the management and leadership knowledge or experience to prepare them for their roles and careers. The absence of adequate leadership development opportunities often contributes to low job satisfaction, burnout, …

Cultural Duality In International School Leadership: Navigating Transformational Change For Organizational Improvement In Mainland China, James F. Davis

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

In the context of leading international schools in Mainland China, amidst the backdrop of globalization and cultural diversity, traditional leadership ideals are proving inadequate in navigating the complexities of contemporary organizational change. This Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP) delves into the concept of dual-cultured leadership as both the catalyst for the struggle, and the core component of any solution uniquely tailored for this environment. By acknowledging the coalescence of diverse cultural influences within leading educational institutions, this study probes the fusion of local organizational ethos with the broader global milieu, recognizing it as the cornerstone of effective leadership in the Mainland China context. …

Hire Education: Work Integrated Learning And Sense Of Belonging For International Students, Alexandre (Sash) Querbach

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

International students in Canadian institutions of higher education face multiple barriers to experiencing a full sense of belonging. While these barriers impact their ability to engage fully with their academic programs, they also affect opportunities for post-graduation employment. Work integrated learning has many pre- and post-graduation benefits for students, including increased opportunities for employment. In this dissertation-in-practice, the problem of practice presented explores sense of belonging through the role work integrated learning plays in international students securing post-graduation employment. It proposes an alternate program stream for international students that provides access to work integrated learning opportunities. This stream embeds targeted …

Building Leadership Capacity: Embracing Of Inclusive And Culturally Responsive Practices To Promote Succession And Sustainability Of Principals In Arctic Canada, Olusoga Ayodele Tomoloju

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP) aims to explore organizational change frameworks to address the problem of practice in the Tundra Education System (TES, pseudonym), which has resulted in inconsistent implementation of inclusion and culturally relevant policies by principals. TES is situated in an Indigenous region of Arctic Canada and about eighty percent of principals are non-Indigenous people. To make a change process relevant to the context of TES, the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) principles, upon which education in TES is built, are integral components of the change implementation processes. Furthermore, the DiP addresses the questions “what”, “why”, and “how” of the intended change …

Transformational Leadership And Teacher Commitment: Examining Differences Between Rural And Non-Rural Teachers, Kyle Jonathan Patterson

Theses and Dissertations

Teacher burnout, absenteeism, and turnover continue to plague schools throughout the United States. Researchers have suggested that a school principal's transformational leadership may impact teacher commitment, though there are limited findings regarding the differences in commitment levels among rural and non-rural teachers. There are also limited findings regarding how the different elements of a principal's transformational leadership (idealized influence, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration, and inspirational motivation) impact teachers' professional and organizational commitment, if at all. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential differences in commitment levels among rural and non-rural teachers, as well as urban-rural differences in the …

The Lived Experiences Of Secondary Christian School Administrators As They Work To Foster An Environment Conducive To Student Biblical Worldview Development: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Margaret E. Pope

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of Christian school secondary administrators as they foster an environment conducive to student biblical worldview development. The theory guiding this study is Leithwood’s iteration of transformational leadership, as it recognizes the influential role school leaders play in the motivation and growth of teachers. Additional consideration of Erdvig’s model of biblical worldview development in evangelical Christian emerging adults was used as the conceptual framework recognizing that the faith elements of worldview formation are unique and relevant to the topic of the study. The central research question was: What …

Predictive Correlation Between Leader Self-Efficacy, Emotional Intelligence, Years Of Experience, And Transformational Leadership Of Physician Assistant Program Directors, Violet A. Kulo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational study was to investigate the relationship between leader self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, years of experience, and transformational leadership practices of physician assistant (PA) program directors. This study is important in providing a greater understanding of the internal determinants and factors that influence the program directors’ beliefs in their success and effectiveness as leaders. Participants for this study included a sample of 86 PA program directors across the United States. Data were collected using the Leader Efficacy Questionnaire, Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, Leadership Practices Inventory, and a demographic questionnaire administered via a survey. …

The Influence Of Transformational Leaders In Reconnecting The Millennial Generation To The Community Of The Local Church, Brandi Lynn Ginty

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Population statistics point to an exodus of Millennials from local churches, reinforcing the increasingly widespread opinion that the church is no longer relevant or relatable (Barna Group, 2019a, 2019b; Conway, 2019; Del Rosario & Bock, 2017; Earls, 2022; Easton & Steyn, 2022; Fry, 2019; Gale et al., 2023; Kinnaman & Matlock, 2019; Omilion-Hodges & Sugg, 2019; Packard & Ferguson, 2019; Sumpter, 2019; Wilson, 2019). Culturally contextual ministry leadership methods are needed if the trajectory of these statistics is to change. To reach the population of the Millennial generation, ministry leaders need to examine the cultural needs of those they are …

The Degree Of Practicing Public School Principals In Jordan Practice Of Transformational Leadership From Teacher’S Point Of View, بلال عياصره, معن العياصره

Jerash for Research and Studies Journal مجلة جرش للبحوث والدراسات

The study aimed to identify the degree of practicing public school principals in Jordan practice of transformational leadership from teacher’s point of view, The study population consisted of all public school teachers in Jordan for the academic year (2022/2023), who numbered (95,535) teachers, and a cluster random sample consisting of ( 1457) teachers, The study used the descriptive analytical method and the questionnaire as a tool for collecting data, The results of the study showed that the degree of practice of transformational leadership by public school principals in Jordan from the point of view of teacher’s was moderate, The results …

Transformational Leadership Behaviors Of Department Leaders As A Predictor Of Collective Teacher Efficacy, Jason Stanton

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Researchers generally credit Albert Bandura for providing the theoretical framework for studying collective teacher efficacy. Research shows that principals using transformational leadership behaviors significantly impact collective teacher efficacy. Policies, such as Every Student Succeeds Act, increasingly put pressure on school districts to improve student achievement or lose funding. Supporting literature and research shows that improving collective teacher efficacy improves student performance regardless of student socioeconomic status. Therefore, a department leader’s ability to increase collective teacher efficacy amongst staff directly influences the student achievement within their school district. This researcher investigated the relationship between transformational leader behaviors of department leaders and …

The Personal Is Political: School Board Members’ Motivation For School Governance, Andrew Lobdell

Dissertations of Practice

Understanding the motivation behind school board members' governance is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of public schools. This research aims to analyze the motivations of five newly elected board members and compare them with past research on governance and motivation. The leadership qualities of school superintendents also impact governance and can influence board members' motivations for running and serving their communities. Similarly, board members' motivations can affect how superintendents lead their districts and prioritize different topics. The research is divided into three papers. Paper 1 reviews existing literature and is organized into three distinct sections that explore school board governance, …

Transformational Leadership Approach For Encouraging Historically Marginalized Communities To Access Admission To Naturopathic Medicine, Baljit Khamba

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Many healthcare training institutions lack cultural diversity, including naturopathic medicine. One potential reason is a lack of historically marginalized individuals applying to these medical schools. Attracting communities of colour to healthcare professions, like naturopathic medicine is important for improving healthcare access and delivery across all individuals within North America. This OIP explores the lack of diversity in applicants to the naturopathic medical program at a large multi-centre institution. The role that education and mentorship of faculty members can play to improve implicit biases and eventually encourage historically marginalized individuals to apply to the program is explored. Moreover, the OIP presents …

Enhancing Academic Preparedness Of International Students Coming To X University For Post-Secondary Education, Gurneet Singh Anand

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

International students comprise an increasing demographic on Canadian campuses and represent increasing diversity in the higher education sector. Student transitions to higher education relate to concepts of equity and inclusivity with respect to these institutions providing the best chances for all students to succeed. Similar to other higher education institutions in Canada, X University is in the unique and somewhat difficult position of navigating the effects of globalization. As X University has seen steady influxes of international students, the faculty, staff and domestic students are realizing that the international students themselves have been facing integration difficulties within the university and …

The Role Of Supervisory Officers In Building School Administrator Leadership Capacity, Drew Mcnaughton

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) is based on a problem of practice (PoP) in Red Maple District School Board (RMDSB), a mid-sized Ontario school board that identifies cultivating leadership in staff as a priority. The limited leadership development opportunities for school administrators has become a challenge for RMDSB and many Ontario school districts. Limited opportunities are provided for RMDSB school administrators to authentically collaborate and engage in professional learning. Supervisory officers, who are responsible for establishing supportive system practices and providing district-level leadership, play a critical role in building school administrator leadership capacity. As a result, the OIP explores the …

Bridging Cultures: Preparing Non-Indigenous Teachers To Teach Indigenous Epistemology In A Rural Public School, Simonjay Moreton

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This Organizational Improvement Plan looks to lay the framework to help non-Indigenous teachers challenge negative Indigenous stereotypes, overcome their fear of unintentionally culturally appropriating an Indigenous culture, and be able to effectively integrate Indigenous content into course curriculum to fulfill the First Nations, Metis and Inuit requirement of the Alberta Teacher Quality Standards. This framework leverages the Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel in conjunction with the ADKAR change model to facilitate a cultural change at Ranchlands Public School, a small rural school situated in Southern Alberta. As the Principal, I intend to implement a transformational change that will institute a shift in …

Transformational Leadership Qualities Of Teacher Candidates In Classrooms: A Study From Uae, Laila Mohebi, Areej Elsayary

All Works

Universities have an objective of enhancing leadership skills in its students’ personalities. This study explores these skills in College of Education teacher candidates’ character, personality and performance during teaching in classrooms. The current research is structured around Northouse (2016) transformational leadership model. He states that transformational leaders possess four components; idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration. In the current study, the four components were identified during teaching and interaction with students in classrooms. Thirty-two teacher candidates were observed during teaching in the classroom and several traits were exhibited most while another set were observed least. The study …

The Degree Of Principals' Practice Of Transformational Leadership And Its Relationship To Administrative Empowerment, Ismaeel Mrizeq Ateia Aseadani

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education (مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية (للبحوث في التعليم العالي

The article aimed to identify the degree of principals' practice of transformational leadership (ideal influence, inspirational motivation, mental stimulation, individual consideration) and its relationship to administrative empowerment from the point of view of teachers of Madaba schools in Jordan. To achieve this goal, the study used the analytical descriptive approach, the study sample was distributed to (601) male and female teachers teaching in Madaba schools during the first semester of the academic year 2022/2023. The results of the study indicated that there is a high impact of transformational leadership on the administrative empowerment of teachers, the “ideal influence” dimension obtained …

A Multiple Case Study Examining Collaborative Nature Of Bahamian Pastoral Teams Considering Contextual And Biblical Transformational Leadership, Kevin Andrew Hall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to examine the nature of pastoral leadership teams in Bahamian churches. Three Bahamian pastoral leadership teams served as the sample frame for this research, with four research questions narrowing its scope to identifying collaborative and transformational behaviors and attributes. The study collected qualitative data regarding leaders’ character formation and the role of the Christian doctrine in shaping (pastoral) team dynamics, along with data regarding pastoral (team) leadership development and the usage of spiritual gifts. The data was then analyzed to determine if the leaders’ behaviors aligned with Cooper’s (2005) contextual and …

Leadership Styles In Ncaa Division I Athletic Administration And Their Relationships To Job Satisfaction, Valerie Gomez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

As an industry, college athletics has become a focal point of much attention and scrutiny as a result of increasing moral and ethical scandals, as well as lucrative media and personnel contracts. Scandals such as admissions fraud, academic cheating, and financial crimes are a cause for concern regarding the leadership within Division I athletic departments. Organizational and individual outcomes have been associated with leadership. While extant research has focused on the leadership of coaches and the athletic director, the leadership of the senior-level leadership team has been largely neglected. Given the structure of many Division I athletic departments, the senior-level …

A Quantitative Methods Examination Of The Relationship Between Student Academic Performance And The Race And Gender Of School Administrators, Tiffaney Whitt

Dissertations

This quantitative methods study identified and tested research-based constructs of school administrators’ race and gender compared to discipline, attendance, and academic achievement. This study aimed to address inequities in educational practices, policies, and systems that directly impact student academic success in schools. The quantitative analyses included statistical ANOVAs and t-tests that examined a convenience sample of 68 elementary school administrators' annual accountability data from 68 Missouri urban elementary schools. To determine differences between the gender and race of school administrators and discipline, attendance, and student proficiency, the researcher examined secondary data from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education …

Homegrown: Pastor Advocacy For Victims Of Sex Trafficking, Julie Heifner

Dissertations

Human trafficking consists of both sex trafficking (ST) and labor trafficking (LT) and is a growing problem for the United States. The Federal Human Trafficking Report (2019), states that Missouri is ranked ninth in the country for active criminal human trafficking cases. This issue is particularly prevalent in our churches because churches serve vulnerable populations and predators may be drawn to churches. Religious academic literature about pastor advocacy for victims of ST is lacking, while popular news sources reference case after case where pastors are the predators. This study consisted of nine Christian pastors who currently served in a pastoral …

Woman Up: Empowering Women Leadership In Higher Education, Lexi Kane

The Vermont Connection

Meghan Trainor’s 2016 song, “Woman Up”, serves not only as a call to action for women everywhere, but also serves as a representation of the collective force of women necessary to exist and persist within higher education. Throughout this piece, one will come to see that student leaders need experiences in higher education to feel empowered, and women leaders can be the ones to create those experiences. Carol Gilligan’s Theory of Women’s Moral Development will serve as the foundation for discussing how to proceed in advancing the holistic development of women student leaders. In the discussion about opportunities and moments …

Perceptions Of Leadership Styles In International Special And General Education Schools In The United Arab Emirates, Kaitlin M. Jackson

Journal of Global Education and Research

Given that school leadership styles are linked to educational outcomes, this study attempted to identify perceived leadership styles of school leaders in two types of schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE): (a) international special education schools, which serve exclusively students with disabilities and (b) international general education schools, which serve primarily typically developing students. By utilizing primarily quantitative methods with supplementary qualitative analysis, this study also explored the influence of teacher demographic variables on perceptions of leadership styles. Results indicated a difference in perceptions of transformational and transactional leadership by school type based on teacher education level, as well …

Leading The Initial Implementation Phase Of Tandemed In Relationship With The Pittsburgh Public Schools, Brian C B Barnes

Journal of Research Initiatives

TandemEd facilitates Black communities to create campaigns that highlight their positive racial identity and self-defined educational purpose. This article examines leadership of the initial implementation phase of the TandemEd community initiative in relationship with the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) focusing primarily on the interactions with the superintendent and executive director of the superintendent’s office. The results included ongoing support from PPS as TandemEd formed a citywide steering committee of highly community legitimated persons, executed a leadership and campaign academy for thirty-five Pittsburgh youth, and facilitated design and delivery of various cable television commercials on identity and purpose in the Greater …

Professional Development In Indigenous Education: By Teachers, For Teachers, Devin Green

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Many school boards have been developing Indigenous frameworks and funding Indigenous programming as a response to the 94 “Calls to Action” published by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015). The actions of these school boards are a form of reconciliation. Within the Southern Alberta School Board (SASB, a pseudonym), there are strong policies in place that support Indigenous students; these policies ensure the students never have to experience the unfair treatment that past generations did through the residential school system. Teachers in this school board are also supported through professional development programs to improve their practice. However, these …

Regime Change As Opportunity: A Case For A Radically Inclusive Response, Massimo Rondolino

Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council Online Archive

The author proposes a radically inclusive approach to reimagining and rebuilding honors education at a time of institutional change, suggesting that when directives do not include a clear vision for academic curricula in practice and orientation (and instead focus on budgetary bottom lines and cost-maximization), honors practitioners benefit from an invaluable opportunity to exert self-determination and agency. This essay describes the effective rebuilding of an honors program by leveraging faculty experience to establish a collaborative community framed within a model of student self-governance and grounded in principles of mindful leadership, anti-cruelty mentality, and maternal thinking.

High School Administrators’ Perspectives Of Leadership Practices Influencing Teacher Leadership And Culture, Andrea H. Taylor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a southeastern state in the United States, a gap in practice exists regarding the consistent implementation of instructional leadership practices to promote teacher leadership and culture in schools. The purpose of this study was to explore administrators’ perspectives of their implementation of instructional leadership practices to influence teacher leadership and culture. The conceptual framework for this qualitative approach was Bass and Avolio’s transformational leadership theory. The research question focused on high school administrators’ perceptions of the instructional leadership practices they are using to influence teacher leadership and school culture. Purposive sampling was used, and six high school administrators participated …