Improving Educational Opportunities By Weaving Indigenous Knowledge Into The Academy From An Indigenous Perspective, Kayla R. R. Murphy

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

To address the atrocities that Indigenous people have endured and provide guidance to support reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada released its 94 Calls to Action (TRC, 2015). Educational reform is one of the key areas identified as necessary for reconciliation. Educational institutions such as River College (a pseudonym) are working towards the integration of Indigenous knowledge into current educational strategies and practices to achieve the acceptance and inclusion of Indigenous epistemologies, thereby acknowledging that Indigenous peoples are significant to the formation of current day Canada. The colonized approach to education at River College lacks cultural connection …

Fostering Asset-Based Approaches To Ela And Multilingualism In An English-Medium International School, Andrew Kim

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) aims to address the Problem of Practice (PoP) of the marginalization of English Language Learners (ELLs) in an English-medium International School (EMIS) by leveraging teacher-leaders as advocates for cultural and linguistic equity via asset-based approaches starting in the classroom. Underpinned by colonial modes of thought disguised as neoliberal internationalism, EMISs often perpetuate the elevation of English as the language of academia while neglecting their normative aspirational mission commitments to equity, diversity, and social justice by failing to provide pathways to foster multilingual development. Deficit-based language programs illustrate this by approaching ELLs as academically deficient based …

Improving Internal Communication In An Asia-Pacific International School, Erin Gillespie

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This organizational improvement plan presents a continuous organizational change approach that addresses communication issues between leadership and two culturally distinct departments, the Anglo Western and European, in an established Asia-Pacific international school. Communication is valued in the school’s strategic vision of raising the profile of its European culture. However, communication from leadership to Anglo Western teachers concerning how to support the European department remains an area of inaction throughout the organization. The organizational improvement plan explores internal communication between leadership and teachers by drawing on the theoretical concepts of organizational learning theory and transformational leadership to facilitate change and address …

Implementing Character Development To Align To Ideological Goals, Catherine Luk

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) explores a Problem of Practice (PoP) that examines the lack of character development opportunities for students within a lower school (K-5) context. It explores the need to unify academic achievement and character education as mutually reinforcing parts of the curriculum. American International School, AIS, (pseudonym) is a private, non-profit independent K-12 American based college preparatory school with a hierarchal structure located in a medium-sized city in Asia. The organization's practices focus on academic excellence and on achieving the mission paraphrased as helping to shape caring and moral individuals who can make a positive difference in …

Critical Education: Increasing Student Achievement Through Formative Assessments, Shujon Mazumder

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) supports the use of formative assessment practices within the business department at School X. This organization is a public high school situated in an urban school board in Ontario. Bayside School Board mandates that teachers provide all students with equitable assessment practices and student-centred learning opportunities. Transformational leadership, through a critical lens, will propel a change plan to inform teachers about the oppressive nature of using summative assessments. Through Freire’s (2002) concept of critical pedagogy, a case is made to implement more opportunities for using formative assessments, which allow students to feel empowered. Formative assessments …

Teachers Supporting New Immigrant Esl Learners, Stephanie Nash-Pearce

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Abstract

This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) examines how a teacher leader with influence can support classroom teachers in establishing a more inclusive and culturally competent learning environment. It is framed around a Problem of Practice (PoP) that emerged from a significant increase of new immigrant, English Second Language (ESL) learners enrolling at Rankin Elementary. Formal and informal school assessments revealed that ESL learners were achieving lower than their English speaking peers. This OIP serves to address how classroom teachers can effectively support new immigrant, ESL learners as they work to improve their English Language Proficiency. This OIP is viewed from …

Bridging The Gap: Increasing Low Student Reading Achievement In A High Poverty School, Jordan Reynaud

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Abstract

This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) aims to improve the low student reading achievement at an inner-city elementary community school in Saskatchewan, as set out by the provincial Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP). It is framed around a Problem of Practice (PoP), that is based on concerns relating to the difficulties associated with increasing student reading achievement in a high poverty school. With a central vision to develop a desired state of improving student reading achievement, this OIP is viewed through the lens of critical pedagogy. The use of transformational leadership in partnership with a liberal ideology and a critical …

Improving The Learning Experiences Of English Language Learners In International Schools, Lana Al-Aghbar

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) aims to improve the learning experiences of English Language Learners (ELLs) in international schools. It is framed around a Problem of Practice (PoP), which is based on concerns pertaining to ELLs’ English language acquisition difficulties and the limited incorporation of ELLs’ linguistic and cultural diversity. Central to this OIP is developing a desired state, which is proposed to improve ELLs’ inclusiveness. This OIP has been viewed through the lens of critical theory, relative to educational equity, and it is informed by sociocultural theory in relation to language learning within social contexts. An Internationally Minded Leadership …

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 …

Building Environmental Education Capacity In Classrooms And Schools, Linda Sue Thomas

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Abstract

There is growing global acknowledgement that our planet is facing an imminent environmental crisis (Kensler, 2012; Kensler & Uline, 2017). Issues such as climate change, loss of biodiversities, water quality, the impact of long term fossil fuel use and single use plastics are compelling countries around the world to calls for action. In the education sector, there is an increasing recognition that raising awareness of environmental issues needs to begin in the schools where students will learn about the impact of individual choices on our environment. Research has shown that environmental education programs in schools have a positive influence …

Improving The Collective Efficacy Of Teachers: Transforming Schools Through Collaborative Learning, Julia A. Manini

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Abstract

Urban secondary schools situated in high-risk neighborhoods experience a myriad of challenges that have the potential to thwart community well-being and student success. School leaders are increasingly aware of the connection between the stressors experienced in such communities, and the effects they have on teacher efficacy and student achievement. The prevalent gap in the goals, standards, and expectations that the administrative team leading this Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) seeks to address, and those that currently exist within the school community require attention and a methodology for positive change. It is for this reason, that the school leader recognizes the …

How School And School Board Leaders Can Increase The Sense Of Social Belonging For Students With Developmental Disabilities Who Exhibit Challenging Behaviour, Kathleen Sutherland

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This Organizational Improvement Plan seeks to understand how school and school board leaders at Ontario Catholic District School Board (OCDSB) can increase the sense of social belonging for students with Developmental Disabilities who exhibit challenging behaviour. Bolman and Deal’s (2013) Four Frames model and Maslow’s (1943) Hierarchy of Needs are the frameworks used that assist in identifying potential factors that may be impeding the organization from achieving change. A PESTE analysis as presented by Cawsey, Deszca, and Ingols (2016) is conducted that outlines the political, economic, social, technological, and environmental factors that impact this Problem of Practice. These factors and …