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Building A Culture Of Collaboration, Cathy Mccann-Kyte

The Dissertation-in-Practice at Western University

Abstract

This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) explores how a school principal can create a culture of collaboration among teachers. The OIP’s problem of practice emerged due to a lack of collaboration among teachers at a school. School data revealed that the lack of collaboration directly impacted teacher classroom practice and ultimately student achievement. Two change theories, the Change Path Model (Cawsey, Deszca, & Ingles, 2016) and the Appreciative Inquiry Model (Cooperrider & Srivastva, 1987) influenced the thinking behind the organizational change plan. Within the organizational change plan, building relationships by developing trust through transformational leadership and creating professional learning communities …

An Exploration Of Collaboration In Indigenous Language Revitalization In A First Nation Community, Sara General

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This dissertation explores how Indigenous language leaders at Six Nations of the Grand River can collaborate for the purpose of revitalizing Indigenous languages. Using an Indigenous research study approach, I conducted single 45-60 minute semi-structured interviews with 10 Indigenous language leaders from the Six Nations of the Grand River. To develop an understanding about the concept of collaboration informed by Haudenosaunee epistemologies, I explored three cultural stories that generally constitute the foundation of Haudenosaunee philosophy and worldview. Together, insights from both the participants and the cultural stories informed this study and supported the development of my conceptual framework, which includes …

Growing Citizens: Students’ Social Emotional Learning Via School Gardens, Kathryn Markham-Petro

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The importance of social and emotional learning in the life of a student is now being recognized as a factor for academic and life success. How a garden can help in the promotion of skills related to social and emotional learning will provide further justification for the implementation of gardens in schools. The purpose of this exploratory, interpretivist qualitative study, with data collected from a purposive sample of educators involved in classroom-based education within schools, was to explore the social and emotional practices of primary grade students (kindergarten through grade five). The sample size consisted of 14 educators who were …