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Full-Text Articles in Educational Leadership

Teacher Retention In Independent Schools, Charles Maddox Jr. Apr 2024

Teacher Retention In Independent Schools, Charles Maddox Jr.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Teachers in public and independent schools have left the field of education at a staggering rate. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand what factors kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers describe as influencing their decisions to remain in independent day schools in Florida. For the purpose of this study, independent education is defined as private schools. Five participants were interviewed for the study. The two themes developed in the study were differences from public schools and school leadership. The subthemes for differences from public schools were flexibility, teacher autonomy, and freedom from government control while subthemes for school …


Teacher Self-Efficacy And The Inclusive Christian School Classroom, Richard J. Mudrow Oct 2023

Teacher Self-Efficacy And The Inclusive Christian School Classroom, Richard J. Mudrow

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Research indicates that one in five students nationwide struggles with a learning difficulty or disability that affects the student’s ability to learn (Galiatsos et al., 2019). Nationwide, Christian schools are enrolling students with disabilities (SWDs), but it is difficult to determine the specific number of SWDs enrolled in Christian schools (Association of Christian Schools International, 2021). In the inclusive school setting, whether public or private, teachers and administrators are often underprepared in their approach to the education of SWDs (Cooc, 2019; Kirk et al., 2021; Krämer et al., 2021). The purpose of this study is to explore how teaching SWDs …


Exploring The Application Of Compassionate Leadership Behaviors In The Workplace, Tracy L. Laurie Oct 2023

Exploring The Application Of Compassionate Leadership Behaviors In The Workplace, Tracy L. Laurie

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This qualitative case study answers the central research question “How are compassionate leadership behaviors encouraged and/or discouraged in the workplace?” Interviews with five individuals from one work team in an Am Law 100 law firm revealed how the compassionate leadership behaviors of integrity, accountability, presence, empathy, authenticity, and dignity (Shuck et al., 2019) were applied at work. This research explored four themes: leadership courage, growth mindset, empowerment, and coaching performance. Each theme has four subthemes further describing the data: Leadership courage: managing consistently and fairly, being transparent, communicating honestly, and taking risks; Growth mindset: working intentionally, developing others, learning continuously, …


A Predictive Study Of Burnout And The Areas Of Worklife In Secondary Classical Christian School Teachers, Danielle R. Dillenschneider Oct 2023

A Predictive Study Of Burnout And The Areas Of Worklife In Secondary Classical Christian School Teachers, Danielle R. Dillenschneider

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This study evaluated the relationship between burnout and the six areas of worklife in secondary-level classical Christian school teachers at ACCS-accredited classical Christian schools. Moreover, the focus of the study was to determine the degree to which the six areas of worklife predicted burnout. Burnout was defined as a condition when employees consistently experience emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and inefficacy in relation to their work (Maslach et al., 2001). The six areas of worklife are workload, control, reward, community, fairness, and values (Maslach et al., 2001). The areas of worklife significantly predicted a low level of burnout (p = .002), and …


Resilience In Adolescent American Students, Steffan R. Larson Oct 2023

Resilience In Adolescent American Students, Steffan R. Larson

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The current study sought to determine if any meaningful relationship existed between perceived mental, emotional/behavioral, and academic resilience and overall resilience in adolescent American students. The current quantitative study was conducting using convenience sampling though a national school counselors’ website. Respondents were asked to respond to a modified version of the ARS-30 resiliency questionnaire as well as respond to a few demographic questions. The findings of the study demonstrated that each aspect of adolescent student resilience (mental, emotional/behavioral, and academic) were statistically significant predictors of overall student resilience; with academic resilience being the most statistically significant predictor of perceived overall …


Accreditation As A Framework For School Improvement: A Quantitavite Study, Michael A. Burroughs Jul 2023

Accreditation As A Framework For School Improvement: A Quantitavite Study, Michael A. Burroughs

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This study investigated the perceptions of heads of schools from accredited schools concerning whether the accreditation process, as prescribed by the League of Christian Schools (LCS), leads to improvement in leadership capacity and the impact of instruction on the learning environment. The League of Christian Schools has developed an accreditation process that is based in systems theory as espoused by Senge (2006), which contributed to the theoretical framework for this study. Administrators in LCS member K12 schools provided 25 responses to an anonymous online survey. Quantitative data were collected and analyzed to determine perceptions regarding increased organizational capacities in the …


Teacher Experiences In Trauma-Informed Classrooms: A Qualitative Case Study, Christopher J. Conway Jul 2023

Teacher Experiences In Trauma-Informed Classrooms: A Qualitative Case Study, Christopher J. Conway

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of teachers at a school in Central Florida that serves students exposed to multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Qualitative data were gathered from semi-structured interviews.


A Call For Protection And Planning: A Case Study Of Vulnerable Populations And School Shootings, Jason E. Covarrubias Apr 2023

A Call For Protection And Planning: A Case Study Of Vulnerable Populations And School Shootings, Jason E. Covarrubias

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

School shooting prevention has become a priority for educational leadership for nearly twenty years. The brutality and significant loss of life distinguish the attacks at Columbine High School and Sandy Hook Elementary School (Jonson, 2017). However, lawmakers encounter difficulty with the wide range of behaviors, program initiatives, and risk management efforts involved to ensure the safety of all children (Cowell & McDonald, 2018). Coincidentally, a national model for school-based emergency plans has not been identified, which leaves many school districts inadequately fit to keep the student population safe in the event a school shooting were to occur on a campus …


Subjective Well-Being Of Teachers In K-12 Christian Schools, Julianne Rettig Apr 2023

Subjective Well-Being Of Teachers In K-12 Christian Schools, Julianne Rettig

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This non-experimental, quantitative study aimed to examine the factors that influence the self-perceived well-being of teachers in K-12 Christian schools. The sample for this study was convenient, non-probable, and purposive and comprised of 81 teachers from one Christian school system in Florida. The measurement tool used in this study is based on Seligman’s (2011) work on well-being. The Workplace PERMAH Profiler is a valid and reliable (α = .94) instrument that measures flourishing in terms of six domains: positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment, and health. The internal reliability of study participant responses to survey items associated with the construct …


The Effectiveness Of Professional Development On The Literature-Based Chinese Teaching, Gracelynn G. Knapp Oct 2022

The Effectiveness Of Professional Development On The Literature-Based Chinese Teaching, Gracelynn G. Knapp

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The surge in Chinese language learning as CSL/CFL increases needs for quality teacher professional development training. Although researchers report advantages of employing literature and confirm the value of literature in teaching foreign language, few studies focused on CSL/CFL teacher training, specifically, for the use of literature-based Chinese language teaching for CSL/CFL classes. Professional Development (PD) provided opportunities for Chinese teachers to learn and practice strategies that are necessary to teach CSL/CFL with literature-based teaching. The researcher conducted the PD training evaluation to determine the significant effect on the Chinese teachers’ confidence, attitude, and overall preparedness for teaching literature to non-Chinese …


Examining Career Decisions: Exploring The Interest Of Gifted Graduates On Working In Education, Alexandria K. Ryan Jul 2022

Examining Career Decisions: Exploring The Interest Of Gifted Graduates On Working In Education, Alexandria K. Ryan

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Students who are gifted are often pulled in a variety of career directions because of their tendency to have many interests and passions. This study was designed to better understand the experience of adults who are gifted and their career choice. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore what career paths adults who are gifted follow, specifically whether they choose to work in the education field or not. This phenomenological study explored four main themes in an individual who is graduated from a gifted education program’s life: Gifted Program Experience, Career and Interests, Family Influence, and Social Emotional. …


A Qualitative Study Of The Factors That Support Female Educators While Raising Young Children, Christine M. Dean Jul 2022

A Qualitative Study Of The Factors That Support Female Educators While Raising Young Children, Christine M. Dean

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this research study was to examine the personal and professional factors that support female educators while raising young children. This study was designed as a bounded case study that included six women who taught in a Christian school while they were raising children. Their interview data revealed three major themes: conflict, personal supports, and professional supports. Participants reported conflicts such as conflicting obligations between their teacher and maternal roles, expectations, and priorities. Key supports helped to resolve or avoid these conflicts. Personal factors such as supportive and extended family members assisted teachers as they balanced the responsibilities …


A Qualitative Analysis Of Augustine’S Philosophy Of Education, Erik D. Thomas Apr 2022

A Qualitative Analysis Of Augustine’S Philosophy Of Education, Erik D. Thomas

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

A philosophy of education consists of varying values and beliefs that coalesce to form a coherent and structured approach to curriculum and instruction. Today, a diverse number of philosophies exist, each with its own set of standards, priorities, and points of emphasis like intellectual and vocational development. However, philosophies emphasizing moral development as an integral feature of both intellectual and vocational development are not as popular. Although some forms of moral education exist, disagreements over its value, purpose, and implementation remain prevalent. The following qualitative study examined the works of Augustine of Hippo, a proponent of moral education, to identify …


Examining Discipleship Strategies In Christian And Missionary Alliance Churches, Osvaldo A. Alvarado Apr 2022

Examining Discipleship Strategies In Christian And Missionary Alliance Churches, Osvaldo A. Alvarado

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

In this quantitative study, discipleship strategies of churches in the Christian and Missionary Alliance were surveyed, to determine if discipleship strategies were effective at fulfilling the mission of helping people connect with God and grow spiritually. Data were collected from 30 church attenders from Western Pennsylvania churches, 27 of which fully completed the research survey. The internal reliability level of participant responses was evaluated and considered excellent. Results showed that the study participant perceptions that they grew in their faith in Christ through the discipleship opportunities provided at their church was statistically significant with a very large magnitude of response …


Parents’ Perceptions Of Factors Influencing Enrollment Of Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade Students In Christian Schools, Michelle L. Misiano Apr 2022

Parents’ Perceptions Of Factors Influencing Enrollment Of Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade Students In Christian Schools, Michelle L. Misiano

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Parents compare the costs of sending their children to private Christian schools with the benefits of their children attending the schools. Christian school leaders benefit from understanding the factors influencing parents’ decisions to enroll their children in Christian private schools. In this qualitative study, the researcher interviewed nine parents from two different Christian private schools affiliated with Christian churches in South Florida to hear what factors influenced them to enroll their kindergarten through fifth grade child or children in a Christian private school. An interview guide developed by the researcher was followed during the phone interviews. In addition, six of …


Parental Involvement - Investigating The Roles, Barriers, And Strategies Of Effective Parent-Teacher Relationships In Middle School Math, Praise-El K. Pelemo Apr 2022

Parental Involvement - Investigating The Roles, Barriers, And Strategies Of Effective Parent-Teacher Relationships In Middle School Math, Praise-El K. Pelemo

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this single-instrument qualitative case study was to investigate the roles, barriers, and strategies for effective parent-teacher relationships in middle school mathematics. The focus of this study was the accounts of three parents of middle school mathematics students in independent schools and three middle school math teachers in independent schools on their perception of roles, barriers, and strategies that increase or reduce building effective partnerships. Audio recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather details about participants' lived experiences. The goal of the research was to gain knowledge on current parent, teacher, and school practices on parental involvement and …


Factors For Thriving In Law Enforcement, Kelly K. Wedley Apr 2022

Factors For Thriving In Law Enforcement, Kelly K. Wedley

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental and quantitative study was to evaluate the degree to which law enforcement officers perceive themselves as thriving. The sample for this study was convenient, non-probable, and purposive and comprised of 214 law enforcement officers from one large law enforcement agency in the State of Florida. The study’s researcher-constructed survey instrument was determined to be internally consistent and reliable. A one sample t-test was used to assess the statistical significance of study participant mean score response to perceptions of thriving and the results were statistically significant. The use of between-subjects analytic techniques was used to compare …


The Effects Of Using Adult Learning Principles In Sermons, David Pierre Apr 2022

The Effects Of Using Adult Learning Principles In Sermons, David Pierre

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental study was to assess the effects of adult learning principles (ALP) in sermons on parishioners’ spiritual growth. Sermons have been central to the spread of Christianity. Given the significant role sermons play in parishioners’ spiritual formation and growth, examining sermons’ effectiveness is crucial. One-hundred-and-twenty participants responded to the researcher-created research instrument. An initial screening was first conducted with the study's data; as a result, 13 participants were removed from the data set for complete non-response to the 15 survey items. Three research questions and hypotheses were formally stated to address the study’s topic. Over …


Teachers’ Lived Experiences And Perspectives Of School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Plans, Susanna J. Brice Apr 2022

Teachers’ Lived Experiences And Perspectives Of School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Plans, Susanna J. Brice

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this case study was to examine how teachers from Title 1 elementary schools implemented school-wide positive behavior plans in Northeast Florida. This qualitative study was founded on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). According to TPB, an individual’s behavior can be predicted by attitude and purposes for the behavior. The research participants were six Title 1 elementary school teachers with whom semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather the data. Themes that emerged were professional development, consistency, teacher buy-in, administrative support, and the effectiveness of the plan. Participants indicated the importance of continued support through check-ins, collaborations, professional …


The Lived Experience Of Teachers’ Socratic Practice: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Mark A. Jedrzejczyk Apr 2022

The Lived Experience Of Teachers’ Socratic Practice: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Mark A. Jedrzejczyk

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This hermeneutic phenomenology studied the lived experiences of four high school teachers’ Socratic practice. The purpose of the study was to describe the essence of high school teachers’ lived experience of Socratic practice and explore what the teachers’ lived experiences suggested about their understanding of Socratic practice. The data for this study were collected in semistructured interviews with four teachers. As a hermeneutic phenomenological study, the researcher did not bracket himself. Instead, he clarified his reflexivity and examined transcripts of the written interviews through a hermeneutic circle. The study found four significant themes among teachers’ descriptions of their lived experiences …


Emotional Intelligence During A Punctuated Equilibrium, Eric R. Kapuza Apr 2022

Emotional Intelligence During A Punctuated Equilibrium, Eric R. Kapuza

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

A punctuated equilibrium refers to periods of stability, with little or no change, disrupted by a punctuated period of rapid and dramatic change. A non-experimental quantitative research design investigated the degree of influence that emotional intelligence exerted upon predicting leadership ability and job satisfaction for school administrators during the punctuated equilibrium initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short Form (TEIQue-SF) was disseminated electronically and completed by 33 school administrators from a variety of academic institutions. Study participant perceptions of emotional intelligence were statistically significantly predictive of self-perceived effectual leadership during a punctuated equilibrium. The predictive effect …


Differentiated Instruction In A General Children’S Ministry Curriculum: Evaluating Discipleship In An Inclusive Classrooom, Jennifer E. Pelissero Apr 2022

Differentiated Instruction In A General Children’S Ministry Curriculum: Evaluating Discipleship In An Inclusive Classrooom, Jennifer E. Pelissero

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perception children’s pastors have in their ability to provide a comprehensive instructional program for children with special needs. The quantitative study utilized a survey research method to address three research questions. The survey instrument was distributed electronically to children’s pastors nationwide to identify instructional and environmental elements required to provide a comprehensive instructional program within the ministry setting for children with special needs. In an effort to further research why children with special needs do not regularly attend religious worship services, this research study focused on elements that create the greatest …


Comparing The Job Satisfaction Of Virtual School Educators To That Of Traditional Educators, Eric L. Sierra Apr 2022

Comparing The Job Satisfaction Of Virtual School Educators To That Of Traditional Educators, Eric L. Sierra

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Virtual education in the K-12 environment is a growing field in the education industry. Not only does virtual education provide new opportunities for students, it also changes how teachers work in the industry and how they perceive the job satisfaction. Using the Teacher Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (TJSQ), this study compares perceived job satisfaction of virtual educators to that of traditional educators in the K-12 environment. Data collected from 112 educators suggested that both virtual and traditional educators were satisfied with their jobs. When teachers in both environments were compared to one another, there was no statistically significant difference in their …


The Confidence Of High School Special Education (Sped) Teachers To Deliver Instruction In A 100% Virtual Learning Environment Due To Covid-19, Darius E. James Apr 2022

The Confidence Of High School Special Education (Sped) Teachers To Deliver Instruction In A 100% Virtual Learning Environment Due To Covid-19, Darius E. James

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic had substantially altered others' daily social interactions and the delivery of education globally. From preschool to universities, educational institutions worldwide temporarily closed their brick-and-mortar facilities to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The transition from in-person to virtual learning was very abrupt, and the transition forced teachers of all experience levels to adapt to a new normal of virtual instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of high school special education teachers’ confidence to deliver virtual instruction to students within a school district that was …


A Phenomenological Study: Covid-19 And Administrators At A Christian Higher Education Institution, Robert D. Pocai Apr 2022

A Phenomenological Study: Covid-19 And Administrators At A Christian Higher Education Institution, Robert D. Pocai

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the lived experience of administrators at a Christian higher education institution during the COVID-19 crisis. The theoretical framework used for this study was revolutionary change theory (RCT). Qualitative data was gathered from structured interviews with executive administrators who led during the COVID-19 pandemic at an evangelical Christian liberal arts university that offered multiple degrees at the associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. Study findings described four main themes that emerged from the data: unpredictability, holistic community disruption, decisive adaptation, and team collaboration. These main themes described the lived phenomenon that …


Who Can Teach Us? An Exploration Of The Influences Of Pedagogy On The Disempowerment Of Indigenous Peoples Of Oaxaca, Mexico, Mariaelena G. Steiner Apr 2022

Who Can Teach Us? An Exploration Of The Influences Of Pedagogy On The Disempowerment Of Indigenous Peoples Of Oaxaca, Mexico, Mariaelena G. Steiner

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Persistent poverty coupled with inequality and marginalization continues to broaden the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous populations of Oaxaca, Mexico. Particularly in the field of education, Oaxaca exhibits an insufficient and inadequate pedagogical system. Federal, State, and NGOs educational interventions have been unreliable at best, demonstrating minimal outcomes predominantly in the degree and percentage of engagement that the indigenous of Oaxaca demonstrate at creating and implementing educational alternatives suitable to their local and state needs. The development of an ethnic pedagogical system—with all its propositions of community engagement for the purpose of progress—is critical to poverty exits as demonstrated by …


A Qualitative Study Of Middle School Science Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Transition To Online Instruction During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Brian S. Ward Mar 2022

A Qualitative Study Of Middle School Science Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Transition To Online Instruction During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Brian S. Ward

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to explore the unique lived experiences of four middle school science teachers from North Carolina and South Carolina during and following the transition from in-person to online instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Four predominant themes were identified from individual, semi-structured interviews of the teachers: technology change; organizational change; changes in curricula, delivery, and student interaction; and career and personal changes. The teachers in this study described the challenges and opportunities experienced during the rapid transition in March 2020 to virtual teaching and learning. The teachers’ lived experiences seamlessly aligned with the stages of …


The Intersection Of School-Based Leadership Practices And School Grades In The State Of Florida, Wendelynn A. Mcpherson Oct 2021

The Intersection Of School-Based Leadership Practices And School Grades In The State Of Florida, Wendelynn A. Mcpherson

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative study was to examine to what degree 12 self-reported leadership behaviors were associated with and predictive of school grades in the state of Florida. The study participant sample was exclusively comprised of educational leaders from elementary schools located in Florida. In this descriptive study, elementary principals were surveyed to determine the frequency of leadership behaviors (independent variable) and school grades (dependent variable). Two research questions and hypotheses were posed to address the study’s research problem. Research question one utilized a simple linear regression to assess the predictive variable of the overall leadership practices for …


Discovering The Importance Of Engagement In A Virtual Learning Experience For K-12 Educators, Kristen A. Condella Oct 2021

Discovering The Importance Of Engagement In A Virtual Learning Experience For K-12 Educators, Kristen A. Condella

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to discover how a virtual learning opportunity using various digital tools influenced professional development for teachers in a rural school district. The qualitative study was conducted through virtual interviews and participant lesson plan submissions and was aligned with the Technology Integration Matrix. The case study included participation in a virtual professional learning opportunity for K-12 educators on the topic of digital tool use, with an interview at completion focusing on engagement and implementation of learned tools as a result of the virtual learning experience. Participant submission of lesson plans were reviewed to …


An Evaluation Of Student-Led Data Notebooks, Desiree M. Thompson Oct 2021

An Evaluation Of Student-Led Data Notebooks, Desiree M. Thompson

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers' perceptions of data notebooks after implementation in an elementary school in Northeast Florida. This quantitative study was founded on the goal-setting theory, which focuses on setting attainable goals for motivation. The research participants were 45 teachers from a K-5 school. The participants varied in grade level and experience. Data were collected via a survey after teachers had fully implemented data notebooks in the classroom. Understanding teachers' perceptions of data notebooks will encourage school leaders to implement data notebooks to strengthen student accountability, student motivation, and the instructional process in the classroom.