Education Commons^™

What I Believe About Leadership And Education: A Reflective Essay, Douglas M. Spahn

Graduate Research Papers

One of the most important decisions an educational leader must make is whether or not to become a "reflective practitioner". A reflective leader is someone who takes the time to think about what has transpired or what steps should be taken tomorrow. Reflective leaders think before they act and are proactive, not reactive. A reflective leader takes responsibility for making tough decisions and is willing to admit error. Reflective leaders do not act impulsively or overreact to a situation. Instead, they carefully consider all possible options and decide on a course of action. Reflective administrators continually think about instruction and …

Impacts Of Cyberbullying, Kelly Burns

Graduate Research Papers

With the recent change in technology, bullying has taken on a new form called cyberbullying. Due to how new cyberbullying is, parents and educators may be unaware of what it is and how it takes place. There are many different forms of cyberbullying that can take place twenty-four hours a day, seven days week. Cyberbullying can take place at schools and at home while leaving an everlasting impact on an individual. This paper will discuss what cyberbullying is and the different forms it can take on. It will also address how students spend their time on the internet and why …

The Effects Of Parental Involvement On Student Achievement, Meghan J. Budke

Graduate Research Papers

The goal of this research paper was to explore and gain a deeper understanding of the impact parents can have on their child's achievement. The introduction of this paper will cover an overview of the topic, along with the rationale, relevant statistics, and the purpose of the paper. The areas examined in this paper included the impact of family communication, single-parent families, cultural differences, and extracurricular involvement. The paper also covers the counselor's role, and how they can assist students and parents with academic achievement.

A Voice For Our Children : What I Believe About Leadership And Education, Angela J. Noel

Graduate Research Papers

Leadership in education will be a challenging job. The leader of a school must maintain a level of self-awareness in order to run an effective building. This level of awareness must continuously reflect upon, "Have I raised student achievement?" and "Have I created a successful educational experience for my students?" Educational leaders also need to create culture, manage the daily operations of the school, collaborate with families and community members, act with integrity and fairness, and be knowledgeable of political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

A Preferred Vision For Leading High Schools : A Reflective Essay, Troy M. Osterhaus

Graduate Research Papers

In order to maintain our great educational system in America, it takes great school leaders. The school principal plays the most important role in the success of a school. A school leader is responsible for the management of the organization, operations, and resources. A school principal has now taken on a new role with the increased focus on accountability and student success. The principal is responsible for monitoring the improvement and success of all students. The school leader is the voice of the school and it's important to be visible around the community at businesses, churches, clubs, and organizations.

Investigating The Effects Of An Elective Abortion On Women's Mental Health, Marilyn Schneiderman

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research project is to investigate evidence that an elective abortion affects a woman's mental health. Included are literature reviews and studies aimed at gathering information and quantifying these effects. Because this is a highly politicized and controversial topic, it has been difficult to find objective resources. Several areas are addressed: the difference between short vs. long-term effects on a woman's mental health subsequent to an elective abortion, evidence of delayed grief reaction and the link with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Post-Abortion Stress is defined and specific psychological sequelae are addressed such as grief, depression, anxiety and …

Introversion : Relationship With Mental Well-Being, Elizabeth A. Balder

Graduate Research Papers

This paper explores connections between introversion and decreased mental well-being. The author sought to discover whether introverts are more vulnerable to depressive symptoms than extroverts. Overall findings show introverts are more vulnerable than extroverts to depression and decreased mental well-being. Introverts are more likely to be compliant and have lower self-esteem than extroverts, and also have less social support than extroverts, which can be detrimental when experiencing depression. Western culture gives preference to extroverted individuals, which pressures introverts to attempt to change their personalities.

When To Refer : Religiosity And Counseling Students' Decision To Refer Glbt Clients, Cynthia R. Boyle

Graduate Research Papers

This paper sought to investigate how religious beliefs affect counseling students' thoughts about referring gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) clients. A thorough review of the research literature examined: attitudes toward sexual minorities, religiosity and attitudes toward sexual minorities, and GLBT issues in counselor education. Findings suggest religious attitudes are often related to negative, or at least, non-affirming beliefs/behaviors towards members of sexual minority groups. There are serious legal and ethical implications for counselors who refuse to treat GLBT clients. The research also suggests education can be a means of moderating discriminatory tendencies in counseling students who struggle with balancing …

African Americans Participation And Counseling, Tawanna L. Moore

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature reviewed is to understand African Americans' underutilization of mental health services available to them. It is also important to understand barriers that keep African Americans from seeking mental health services, so this population of people can maintain a healthy life. This review also addresses implications for Caucasian clinicians. The following literature review will explore: The kind of support and treatment African Americans seek or receive to help them with mental health problems, effectiveness of these programs, and barriers to treatment when services are available.

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Jerry L. Nelson

Graduate Research Papers

Educational leadership means doing the right thing for the people we serve. It means being committed to the education of all the students. An educational leader needs to be a committed soul, passionate about creating success in the lives of every student. This is not an 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or August to May commitment, it is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year position.

As an educator, this should be a career-long commitment. To help stay committed,an educational leader needs to develop core values that help one stay focused on the task …

Psychological Barriers To White Counselors' Racial Identity Development, Kathleen Rice

Graduate Research Papers

White racial identity development includes abandoning racism and considering racial information more objectively. Racial identity is a key aspect of multicultural competency, which is a high priority within the counseling profession. Psychological barriers to White counselors' racial identity development include personal characteristics, cognitive strategies, and beliefs. Personal traits related to racism include poorer overall mental health, more anxiety, more neurotic tendencies, and less open, extroverted, agreeable, flexible, responsible, and tolerant personalities.

Cognitive processes to avoid confronting the reality of racial issues include self distortion, defense mechanisms, dysconsciousness, stereotyping, and stigmatization. Racist attitudes are maintained by specific beliefs including the myths …

A Reflective Practitioner As A Leader Of Learning, Change And Service : A Reflective Essay, Leshane O. Saddler

Graduate Research Papers

Learning must be modeled by all leaders. Learning may not be enough; there must be a love for learning that is modeled to all. As a parent of two elementary students my passion for knowledge is demonstrated on a daily basis. Reading nightly for one to two hours and spending Saturdays at the public library instead of the ball park are two examples that I model for my children. As a leader of learning, the building principal or district administrator, there should be a greater understanding that the teachers that are under your administration; view you as that parent. Leaders …

Children With Developmental Disabilities : Considering Positive Impact On The Family System, Tracie L. Self

Graduate Research Papers

Families who have at least one child with a developmental disability face challenges unique to their situation. With reported incidents of developmental disabilities on the rise, research parameters are being expanded to give more complete consideration of growing family needs. While the historical treatment of these families has often been negative, current research trends have begun to consider positive impact on families.

Positive impact includes areas such as quality of life, the child as a source of happiness, and an overall increase in personal family strength. The trend towards positivism is beginning to be reflected in theoretical understanding and in …

Use Of Social Stories For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Alicia Ann Karwal

Graduate Research Papers

Social stories have been widely used as an intervention for children on the Autism Spectrum. Educators and other service providers of students diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder are continually looking for strategies that will allow for their students to have more typical social experiences and greater quality of life. Some controversy exists concerning the success of social stories as an effective intervention. This paper will briefly examine characteristics of individuals diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. It will then explore using social stories with children affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Finally, it will consider a variety of purposes …

Inventive Spelling In The Early Childhood Classroom, Denielle J. Stuntz

Graduate Research Papers

This review of literature explored the use of inventive spelling in early childhood classrooms. The following three questions were posed: 1) Should inventive spelling be an instructional practice used in early childhood classrooms? 2) What is the relationship between inventive spelling development and other areas of children's literacy development? 3) What are the best practices for using inventive spelling in the classroom? Based on an analysis of pertinent, peer-reviewed articles and books, it was determined that inventive spelling has a valuable place in early childhood classrooms. Some benefits of using inventive spelling include a reduction of fear about writing (Chomsky, …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Julie A. Bride

Graduate Research Papers

Exemplary educational leadership requires mastery of many essential skills. In order for a principal to be an effective instructional leader, one must support the success of all students by nurturing an environment based upon the school's developed vision. An instructional leader believes in, values, and is committed to the fact that all students have the knowledge, skills, and values needed to become successful adults. Each student is an individual with unique needs. An educational leader must be a proactive advocate for the needs of all children.

Dealing With Grief And Depression Issues In Schools, Nykole L. Conrad

Graduate Research Papers

Grief is an obstacle that every child and adolescent experiences at some point. Grief can cause or worsen depressive states. The number of children and adolescents that experience grief related depression has been rising at an alarming rate for the past few decades. Studies show that the frequency of grief and associated depression increases progressively from preschool years through adolescence. Approximately 5% of all adolescents are affected by depression. Grief is not the only cause of depression; however, grief related depression is an issue that warrants notice. It is important that school staff members are aware of the signs and …

Exercise : Nature's Defense Against Depression And Anxiety, Holly A. Dorenkamp

Graduate Research Papers

Exercise and mental health is a relatively new area of study within health care and mental health disciplines. Whereas many mental health professionals focus on the mental status of clients, research suggests that physical health, exercise in particular, has a positive impact on mental health and well-being. Currently, typical treatment approaches lean toward psychotropic medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. However, mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are becoming so widespread that other effective and affordable treatment approaches and options are greatly needed and vital to the overall mental health of society. Utilizing exercise in the treatment …

A Commitment To Excellence In Educational Leadership: A Reflective Essay, Michelle A. Hunt

Graduate Research Papers

The role of a principal is an overwhelming one – many faceted, imbued with great responsibility and strict accountability. I know the perfect principal does not exist. The "perfect" robotic leader would have little, if any, positive impact on her learning community. There are, however, some very human characteristics that, if practiced, would positively contribute to the community's educational success.

These practices and values are set forth in this reflective essay. I am confident that those who share my vision – that every human being matters and makes a contribution to the entire learning community – will experience the joy …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Thomas Keegan Knight

Graduate Research Papers

The leadership quality is more of an art than a statement. A leader is a server and a debtor, whose first responsibility is to define reality and last responsibility is to say thank you (DePree, 1989). This paper will communicate my educational beliefs, the role of reflective practice in an educational setting, steps to follow in the change process and models, current research for improved learning in the classroom, as well as the importance of being a leader of service in a community. All of these elements are related to the Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL) and are pertinent …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education, Todd M. Kress

Graduate Research Papers

Whether you are a leader reflecting on past experiences, a leader whom is adjusting to changes and motivating others to adjust to changes, a leader who is challenging him or herself and all others to continue education, or a leader who is serving every stakeholder involved in the school, you need to make sure that students are not missing out on the greatest educational experience they can possibly get. The students are the number one reason why anyone goes into education, and no matter what happens in our busy lives we need to remember that. Every student needs to be …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Leona M. Mccall

Graduate Research Papers

In this paper I will discuss my educational beliefs, and how the current literature supports my vision for the future of education. Through my discourse I plan to affirm my mission for student achievement. As I proceed, it is my intent to convey what I believe to be essential for me as a leader of learning for the campus community. I will also express my views of the principal as change agent, along with my beliefs about service learning. As I culminate my educational beliefs, I will focus on how the Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL) apply to the …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education, Jay Meier

Graduate Research Papers

The leader's role is spelled out very well in Iowa's Standards for School Leaders (ISSL, 2007). The Standards specifically describe a visionary leader (Standard one), an instructional leader (Standard two), an organizational leader (Standard three), a collaborative leader (Standard four), an ethical leader (Standard five), and a political leader (Standard six). These six standards set the tone for what is expected from a principal in a leadership role.

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Nicholas A. Proud

Graduate Research Papers

Being a quality educational leader takes a great deal of time, effort, and experience, but it is a task that can be done successfully. The leader needs to be a reflective thinker, a leader of learning, a leader of change, and a service-minded individual. To perform and lead of all of these aspects effectively the leader must create positive relationships with students, staff, parents, and outside community patrons. Building positive relationships throughout the school community is essential. To assist others in reflection, to help people believe in the learning that is presented, and for everyone to trust you enough for …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Christopher A. Cartee

Graduate Research Papers

There are many issues facing today's educators and educational leaders. These issues are exactly why I decided to return to education after a career in law enforcement. I would like to tell you why I became an educator. I will also analyze the importance of using reflective practice as a principal or teacher. I will examine the current research pertaining to the role of the leader in terms of educational change, adult and student learning, and service.

What I Believe About Leadership And Education, Adam R. Booth

Graduate Research Papers

Every administrator at every school is different and every administrator has a different vision for their future. It is our job as educators to lead each student down the correct path. If one student's goal is to go straight to the work force after graduation, we as educators need to do everything we can for him/her to make sure he/she has the skills to be prepared. The same is true for the college bound student.

Successful leaders are those who have a vision of where their school needs to go. If a school did not have a vision, it would …

The Impact Of Nutrition On Academic Achievement, Julie A. Long

Graduate Research Papers

The recent increase of obesity and malnourishment among students has prompted many researchers to question the effects of such lifestyles on the students' health and academic areas. Many factors are to be associated with the lack of knowledge and initiative to make amendments within the system. In addition, many steps can be taken to implement the correct changes. This paper outlines the causes of malnutrition, the affects of poor nutrients, the vitality of specific nutrient, and ways to help the problems cease. Attention to the strong research and statistics, leads to transformation of the traditions and barriers of individuals choosing …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Christopher J. Robertson

Graduate Research Papers

Educational administration is an extremely complex profession, which offers many opportunities and challenges. I am intrigued at the complexity of issues that administrators are faced with on a daily basis. The most complete field of study could not possibly prepare a person for every situation that will arise. School leaders of today have an awesome responsibility. Leadership is a key component of being an effective administrator. Leadership is a difficult concept to define and there are many definitions. Leadership is the ability to take someone where they could not and would not go alone.

An Administrator's Look At Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Mark Musker

Graduate Research Papers

My goal in education is obvious: students will develop their own presence of learning. The positive experience they have in school will help them grow into world-class learners. As an educator I empower my students, for at least one day, to know that this is their day to be special. Then I repeat that process for all of them the next day, the next month, and the following years.

Leadership is easy to talk about but difficult to implement. A leader does not solve other people's problems for them. I do believe that a problem will no longer exist, if …

Reading Comprehension : What Strategies Make A Difference?, Jill Helgerson

Graduate Research Papers

A literature review was conducted on comprehension strategies. The comprehension strategies that are being reviewed were chosen based on past research of reading comprehension.This literature review will explore six comprehension strategies that have been found to improve students' comprehension abilities.