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Dordt University

Theses/Dissertations

Professional development

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Full-Text Articles in Education

Benefits And Barriers Of Block Scheduling, Courtney Huebner May 2022

Benefits And Barriers Of Block Scheduling, Courtney Huebner

Master of Education Program Theses

This action research study explored the benefits and barriers of block scheduling. Fifty-six teachers from private, Christian schools in Michigan and Iowa participated in a confidential survey which measured academic understanding and methods, and school culture and climate within the block schedule versus traditional scheduling. An analysis of the survey data demonstrated consistent statistical evidence of a correlation between block scheduling and deeper levels of academic understanding, student relationships, and a more positive school climate. The results of the open-ended response questions showed that block scheduling, implemented well with professional development and planning time for lessons, is a benefit to …


Peer Coaching At An Independent School, Lindsay Anderson May 2020

Peer Coaching At An Independent School, Lindsay Anderson

Master of Education Program Theses

This action research study investigated the effects of peer coaching on an independent school’s culture, professional development, and growth mindset. The participants were eight middle scholar teachers, including the researcher. Each participant volunteered to be a part of a peer coaching pilot team in the spring semester of the 2018-2019 school year. Throughout the course of the pilot program, the participants were surveyed and interviewed independently on the topics of school culture, professional development, and growth mindset. As a team, the participants engaged in pre-observation, observation, and post-observation meetings as well as a final interview to debrief the pilot peer …


Educators Learning Together: Promoting Meaningful And Motivating Professional Development In Christian Schools, Joshua E. Bowar Apr 2011

Educators Learning Together: Promoting Meaningful And Motivating Professional Development In Christian Schools, Joshua E. Bowar

Master of Education Program Theses

Each year, nearly all teachers in the United States participate in some form of professional development (Andree, Chung Wei, & Darling-Hammond, 2009). Much research is available outlining best practices related to professional development in an effort to provide teachers with a positive learning experience so that they can use their expertise and acquired knowledge and skills to ensure that students learn. Schools are not implementing these best practices. As a result, many teachers express a sense of dread when they think about entering a professional development session. There are several reasons for this sense of dread, but there are also …


Toward A Vision For Distinctively Christian Educational Leadership, Sean-Jason Schat Jan 2009

Toward A Vision For Distinctively Christian Educational Leadership, Sean-Jason Schat

Master of Education Program Theses

Educational leaders set the tone for their institutions. Their leadership embodies their vision for and valuing of the people they work with, as well as their actual understanding of the mission and vision of their organization. Research into the nature of leadership and followership demonstrates the importance of both leading from a vision and leading people, building a culture of respect and trust in order to establish a community committed to a shared task. Leaders in Christian schools are called by God to the office of leadership in order to be used by Him to continue His self-revelation and to …


Integrative Approach: A Teacher Evaluation Process To Improve Practice At Fraser Valley Christian High School, N. Matthew Beimers Jun 2008

Integrative Approach: A Teacher Evaluation Process To Improve Practice At Fraser Valley Christian High School, N. Matthew Beimers

Master of Education Program Theses

This qualitative case study examines if the teacher evaluation process at Fraser Valley Christian High School (FVC) leads to improved teacher practices. In this case study, the author examines three current teachers at FVC who have gone through the evaluation process in the last twelve months and the impact the evaluation process had on their practice. FVC takes an integrated approach to its evaluation, combining both summative and formative evaluations with a focus on teacher participation in all facets of the process. Teachers at FVC are invited to consider how the domains of Planning and Preparation, Classroom Instruction, Classroom Community, …