Education Commons^™

Critical Elements For Leadership In Education : A Reflective Essay, Joan C. Schueller

Graduate Research Papers

An educational institution will not perform better than its top leader and will not carry a vision that its leader does not promote. Effective leadership is essential in education today with unprecedented demands on educators and the ever-changing culture of children and families. Ethical leadership, instructional leadership, visionary leadership and organizational skills are critical elements of effective educational leaders in our schools.

A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Beth Lang

Graduate Research Papers

I think that it is critical, as someone who would like to become an administrator, to have a vision and to know what critical elements I feel are essential as a future administrator. I feel that it.helps us guide our decisions. It gives us a basis to fall back on when we make decisions. There are so many decisions we need to make day to day that sometimes I feel we could get lost in what is important. I think this guide can be used so that when we need to make a decision we can go back and look …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Kathlynn W. Breinich

Graduate Research Papers

Communication is the ground work for everything. Without it an administrator cannot effectively move their school forward. However, the school needs a direction to go. When an administrator has a vision, he or she can lead the school in that direction – thus making the school a better place. In order for the school to be effective, it is also helpful to have an administrator that has good organizational skills.

Finally, a school is built for instruction. Above all else, an administrator must remember why they are there, to assist the staff in teaching children. The administrator must hold teachers …

Implementation Of Reciprocal Teaching Strategies, Michael Sauer

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to address the following research question: How effective are the Reciprocal Teaching Strategies in increasing reading comprehension? Peer observation and coaching were done to observe each other using the Reciprocal Teaching Strategies in the classroom. Two different observations were done, each time by a different peer coach. After each observation, the lesson which had been observed was briefly discussed. From this interaction, further suggestions for implementation could be made from our peers.

Using Web-Based Material To Support Secondary Science Curriculum, Ghadeer Filimban

Graduate Research Papers

Web-based materials have introduced a new way of supporting students' learning and teachers' knowledge of the secondary science curriculum. However it is difficult to know which materials to use and how to use them. This review discussed some of the methods for teaching science, web-based materials that support these methods, how the Internet can add to teachers' knowledge, and some negative effects of using this technology. This review shows how teachers can integrate web-based materials into their teaching strategies, and can help teachers who have integrated them to be aware of the negatives of using the Internet in the classroom. …

Inside The Stress Of A Police Officer's Job : What Mental Health Counselors Should Know, Molly J. Wertz

Graduate Research Papers

Police officers have a unique responsibility within the job. They must learn to cope with stress, adrenaline, and fear during working hours while protecting themselves as they are protecting society. Becoming burdened and overwhelmed by the stress of the job can have many consequences, including suicide attempts and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. This paper will examine primary stressors a police officer encounters on and off the job, suicide, posttraumatic stress disorder, peer support, as well as implications for counselors.

Effectiveness Of Wilderness Therapy, Cody A. Williams

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the literature in the field of Wilderness Therapy in order to evaluate the current state of research, and the basic format of how Wilderness Therapy works. The theoretical base of Wilderness Therapy is discussed to provide conceptual framework and describe how the therapy could be launched into mainstream therapy. The techniques of Wilderness Therapy are explained for better understanding of how the therapy works. In conclusion, Wilderness Therapy appears to be a viable alternative for the treatment of emotional and behavioral problems amongst adolescents and adults. Recommendations for the future are for more research and better understanding …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Kathleen M. Walech

Graduate Research Papers

What do I believe about leadership and education? In order to answer that question, I must delve into my past experience with education, examine why I became an educator, and what I have come to believe about educational leadership. When I ask myself when it was that I knew I wanted to be an educator, I do not believe I can pinpoint an exact moment. In fact, I do not believe I ever gave any real consideration to any other career. For as long as I can remember, teachers were people I admired and education was something I valued. I …

Effective Strategies For Reading Improvement, Susan Pelleymounter

Graduate Research Papers

Longfellow Elementary has had a history of poor results on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. To address the problem, many innovations have been implemented such as Small Group Reading Instruction, vocabulary building, phonemic awareness, and sight word instruction.

This study was completed in an effort to determine if what teachers did on a daily basis to teach reading had an impact on students. This is important because teachers need their teaching to be efficient and effective. Test scores must increase at our school and we need data to prove that what we are doing is worthwhile. The question for …

Fourth Grade Student Achievement On Math Standardized Tests In The Absence Of A Math Curriculum, Trista Manternach

Graduate Research Papers

Throughout the last few decades the importance of reading instruction has been the focus for schools and school districts across the nation. At Lincoln Elementary School in Waterloo, Iowa the focus has been no different. However, in the last two years, academic achievement in the area of math has become as important as reading with the advent of No Child Left Behind.

Although teachers were told that math was important, they lacked a required curriculum until a year after math became a focus of student achievement. The purpose of this study is to answer the following question: Did the absence …

Writing In Math And Distributive Learning In Math Problem Solving, Mary Jo Metz

Graduate Research Papers

Many teachers, parents and students have questions about single sex classrooms. Are there gender based strategies that can be used in single sex classrooms and coed classrooms?

The purpose of this study was to investigate a possible difference in the perceptions of boys and girls in their math problem solving ability, and to determine if writing in math and distribution of curriculum would be effective strategies in math problem solving. The researcher conducted a classroom study to determine the effects of writing in math and compare the impact on males and females. In addition, another study investigated the distribution of …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Theresa A. Fisher

Graduate Research Papers

Effective principals articulate a clear vision about what they expect of adults and students. They do this more than just the beginning of the year. They spend time explaining to students what they expect in achievement, behavior, attitude,and effort. They don't make excuses. They make sure learners have what they need to meet high expectations. They motivate, inspire, provide direction, and celebrate excellence. If principals don't have high expectations, they cannot expect much of others.

Principals must establish high expectations in their schools. You can model high expectations by selecting challenging goals, informing others of your dreams, and keeping people …

Reducing Suicide Risk Among Adolescents : Treatment And Intervention, Angie Kippe

Graduate Research Papers

Adolescent suicide is very disturbing. Formulating effective prevention and treatment can be elusive. Counselors must become aware of many factors when assessing and treating adolescent suicide ideation and attempts. Facts about suicide and how suicide interfaces with other mental disorders will be examined.

Weight Loss Practices In Amateur Wrestlers And Its Relationship To Disordered Eating, Lyndsey M. Manderfield

Graduate Research Papers

The premise behind many athletic programs is to encourage wellness, a state of well being in both physical and emotional aspects. This research paper reviews how wrestling and other athletic programs where weight plays a significant role, may affect eating and other weight-related habits. It addresses whether weight loss practices in wrestling play a role in disordered eating patterns of its participants.

Integrating Technology And Education, Jori L. Showalter

Graduate Research Papers

The following literature review challenges the idea of integrating technology into the educational curriculum. It will reveal the value of integrating technology into the curriculum, along with possible problems that might occur. Some of the problems examined in the review relate to the overwhelming amount of information found on the Internet, problems with the Internet trying to replace the current curriculum, safety issues involved with Internet use, and staff development concerns. The review also identifies what a model school integrating technology might look like and the influence it plays in the core subject areas.

A Look At Administrative Qualities For Success : A Reflective Essay, Beth Ann Kleve

Graduate Research Papers

It is not just having a degree, and a few classes that help to make a person a good administrator. It is having an understanding and passion about ones own personal beliefs and core values that will help to make the difference between a good administrator and a great administrator.

In the following paper professionalism, leadership, morality, and learning will be discussed further. Examining how each of these areas are important qualities for an administrator to develop and maintain as a leader in a school.

A Preferred Vision For Leading K-12 Schools : A Reflective Essay, Tammy A. Kruse

Graduate Research Papers

Every child deserves the learning/development and opportunities to earn a diploma. Since education is the primary building block in becoming a successful citizen, as teachers we should make every attempt for student achievement and the development of citizenship. Every child has the ability to learn if given the correct tools to do so and is given a chance. Educators must be honest and trustworthy individuals to earn students' respect. As educators, we all need to encourage children to enjoy education and to understand that life is about life long learning.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Schools : A Reflective Essay, Mark E. Lawler

Graduate Research Papers

The role of an educational leader has changed in the last century. The principal of a school has more responsibility and accountability than ever before. Chief among them is being a role model for students and adults in the school and community, and a leader in the school's progress. Always in the public eye, the principal must make choices based on good judgement and data, and must search for what is best for the stakeholders. The principal should be open to new ideas and pushing the school forward. As Wilmore said in Principal Leadership, a school that is not …

A Preferred Vision For Leading Schools : A Reflective Essay, Deanne E.H. Lewis

Graduate Research Papers

"A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment" (Wilmore, 2002, p. 52). All children should be given equal opportunity for advancement and growth. What is challenging for one child may be boring and repetitive for another. Placing students in appropriate settings that will allow the appropriate level of challenge and pace of learning for each child is the goal for the creation of the differentiating classroom.

A Preferred Vision For Leading An Exemplary School : A Reflective Essay, Robert S. Libolt

Graduate Research Papers

Education is a cornerstone in a person's life. Education is vital in today's society. With out it you miss out on many opportunities. As a student moves through the grades of a school district that student is being enriched in many ways.

High school is the beginning of something so much more than classes, athletics, social organizations, and fun: it is the start of your future. Many students don't understand their own potential, and education allows the chance to discover it. Getting an education is the best thing any person can do. From family to money to how you live …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Diane Shumate Foley

Graduate Research Papers

A school leader is not an easy job. Decisions are not always clearly defined and courage, strength, and confidence are needed to make difficult choices. But, if you are leading with integrity and fairness and exhibit ethical, respectful behavior while applying humor where appropriate, then you will be a better human being and a better school leader. This is my goal. As Vince Lombardi aptly phrased it, "there is only one way to succeed in anything and that is to give everything."

Play Therapy, Melissa A. Hardman

Graduate Research Papers

Play therapy techniques are valuable tools for a variety of professionals who work with children. One need not be a registered play therapist to implement play techniques when working with child clients. There are many types of clients that would benefit from play therapy. There are several different theoretical approaches, but the researcher chose to focus on Adlerian Play Therapy, Client-Centered Play Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy, and Psychodynamic Play Therapy. The paper considers the best location to implement play techniques, by urging the counselor to be aware of the setting's location within the building, ease of cleaning, available space, and …

The Effects Of Divorce On Children And Adolescents, Rachelle A. Haker

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper focuses on the effects of divorce on children and adolescents. Based on a review of literature, there are many short-term and long-term effects including emotional, behavioral, and physical issues. Children and adolescents vary in adjustment to divorce depending on multiple factors such as communication, conflict, and parental adjustment. The stages that children and adolescents of divorce go through depend on one's developmental stage and gender. Counselors can greatly influence how children and adolescents adjust to divorce.

Overview Of Attachment Disorder And Effective Treatments For Children, Kathryn H. Hedican

Graduate Research Papers

When children experience extreme chronic trauma as a result of the effects of the disruption of healthy attachment patterns, a disorder known as Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) can develop. The importance for mental health counselors to understand the etiology of RAD cannot be overemphasized. Symptoms most often associated with this disorder include the inability to trust, failure to develop intimate relationships, or show affection, lack of self-confidence, low self-esteem, and anti-social behaviors and attitudes (Levy & Orlans, 1998 as cited in Sheperis, Renfro-Michel, & Doggett, 2003). Highlighting the foundational work of Erikson, Harlow, Bowlby, and Ainsworth includes a brief overview …

Eliminating The Fear Factor : Fostering An Environment Of Equality For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual And Transgender People In Schools, Lana L. Hollar

Graduate Research Papers

The United States of America has been listed as one of the most violent places in the world to live. For gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals, the dangers of violence are even greater and are perpetuated by fear and ignorance. GLBT individuals are victims of oppression in the forms of torture, rejection, stigma, social pressure, isolation, and murder. In an attempt to understand why this oppression takes place, this paper will examine the nature of the oppression and how society is responsible for the continuation of it. With understanding, maybe fear can be eliminated and an environment of equality …

Cutting And Self-Mutilating Behaviors Among Adolescent Girls : A Counselor's Role In Understanding And Treatment, Carla C. Hughes

Graduate Research Papers

With the reported incidence of cutting and self-mutilating behaviors in adolescent girls on the rise, counselors need to take a look at the changing role they can play in helping these young girls understand the reasons underlying their self-destructive behaviors. The counselor can also help them find new ways to cope with the deep emotional trauma that precipitates the behavior. Understanding the causes and dynamics of this disorder will lead to better opportunities for effective treatment. This paper is intended to focus on the nature of the disorder and the role of counseling in bringing these young women back from …

A Vision For Leading Schools : A Reflective Essay, Karen J. Coates.

Graduate Research Papers

Education has undergone many changes in the past few decades. Many of these changes are due to our changing society, and others are due to those in education who see the need to make changes. Still other changes come from government directives. Our world is not the same world that it was when public.education came into being. The two parent family where mom stays home and dad goes to work as seen in 1950's television shows very rarely exists. Rural one-room schools under county jurisdiction have given way to larger consolidated school districts.

With legal mandates to include disabled children …

Bullying In Elementary Schools, Jessica J. Wass

Graduate Research Papers

Bullying is a serious problem in today's schools. The history of bullying goes back as far as humans have been living and will continue if schools do not take action. Parents, teachers, administrators, counselors, and school staff are all involved in preventing bullying and intervening when necessary. This paper will define bullying, risk factors, and the effects of bullying on the bully, the victim, and the bystander. Interventions as well as how to prevent bullying will be addressed with emphasis on a whole school approach.

English Language Learner Program At Irving Elementary : Finding A Life Preserver For Sink Or Swim Education, Pamela Argotsinger

Graduate Research Papers

Each year the United States becomes more ethnically and linguistically diverse and as a result, so do our schools. Students from non-English speaking backgrounds represent the fastest growing subset of the K-12 student population. In the 2003-2004 school year, 5.5 million school-age children were English language learners (Leos, 2004). As school districts across the country are faced with initiating and implementing programs for these learners, they must factor in the high stakes of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and the possible impact of a new group of test scores on their adequate yearly progress.

The purpose of this …

Toward Successful Student Writers: Change And Growth In Writing Workshop, Kirstey Ewald

Graduate Research Papers

A writing workshop has always been a part of my classroom. Since the beginnings of my career as an English teacher, I have believed that it allows my students the freedom required for them to think for themselves and to express their thoughts clearly. Yet while students have clamored for such trust and autonomy in their classes, they often have a hard time adapting to this change, to setting their own goals and making individual strides to meet those goals. They are very used to having their teachers tell them what to think and what to write about. They have …