Educational Leadership Commons^™

2024-08-09 Faculty Regent Report, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Regent report of the Board of Regents meeting of August 8, 2024.

The Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Teacher Self-Efficacy Among Online Faculty And Residential Faculty Transitioned To Online Teaching: A Causal-Comparative Study, Sheryl Welfel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teacher self-efficacy within the context of a crisis is valuable to study as it impacts the whole of the educational environment. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in the perception of teacher self-efficacy between instructors who were impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The importance of this study focused on how faculty members described their teacher self-efficacy while implementing online instruction in emergency remote online teaching situations. The participants for this study were higher education faculty from a university in the eastern region of the United States who taught from 2019 to 2022 which …

Through The Lens Of Admissions Staff And Faculty Reviewers: How Implicit Bias Training May Mitigate Bias In The University Admissions Process: A Phenomenological Study, Sabrina L. Capps

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of university admissions staff and faculty reviewers who have attended an implicit bias, unconscious bias, or diversity training session while working at a higher education institution. The theories guiding this study were Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior (TPB) and Bandura’s theory of social learning. Both theories discussed how individuals may act in certain circumstances based on their social interactions, prior behaviors, and upbringing. What are the perspectives and lived experiences of admissions staff and faculty reviewers who have attended an implicit bias, unconscious bias, or diversity training at …

The Lived Experiences Of Educators Leveraging Educational Technology And Connectivism For Fostering Academic Achievement In Higher Education: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Cynthia T. Plueger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of educators at public universities in the southern region of the United States who leverage educational technology to enhance student engagement and improve academic achievement through the application of connectivism principles in learning environments. This study was guided by the connectivism theory, which highlights the significance of interconnected networks, contemporary knowledge, and the interrelatedness of information in digital higher education learning environments. The central research question was: How do educators at public universities in the southern region of the United States describe their lived experiences with leveraging …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study On First-Generation Native Hawaiian College Students' Persistence In Online Courses, Nikki K. Kinoshita

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences and persistence of first-generation native Hawaiian college students (FGNHCS) in their first online courses at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College in the Hawaiian Islands. Tinto's student integration theory provided the theoretical framework for the research study. The central research question was: How do first-generation Native Hawaiian college students (FGNHCS) describe their persistence and success in at least one online course? The methodology involved an in-depth exploration of the participants' experiences through a phenomenological lens. Using three data collection methods: individual interviews, reflective written assignments, and …

Teacher Retention In Title I Schools: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Jessica Marie Stetekluh Cain

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the elements contributing to teacher retention through the lived experiences of K-5 teachers at Title I schools in the Southern United States. The theory guiding this study is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as it applies to teacher retention. The central research question of this study is as follows: what are the experiences related to retention of K-5 teachers who teach in a Title I school? The sample size included 10 participants. The sample was a convenience sample of teachers from three Title I schools in an urban school district in …

Understanding How Public Elementary School Teachers' Trust Perceptions Affect Innovation In Educational Practice: A Multiple Case Study, Catherine Nichole Hampton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to understand organizational distrust that led to a lack of innovative educational support for elementary school teachers at five elementary schools in the Knight School System. The theory guiding this study is Homans’s social exchange theory as it applies to organizational trust. The central research question explored how public elementary school teachers’ organizational trust perceptions affect innovative educational practices. This multiple case study explored 10 teachers’ experiences in three elementary schools within Georgia. Data were collected from individual interviews, focus group interviews, and journal prompts. This study used qualitative data analysis methods …

Coaching And Developing Non-Certified Instructional Staff In Key Literacy Practices, Holly Nicole Bigos

Masters Projects

Paraprofessionals are vital staff members of elementary schools that often provide small group instruction for struggling students to develop key literacy skills. Despite the critical contribution paraprofessionals can provide, schools often neglect to adequately train and develop these staff members to support students’ instructional literacy needs. This project explores the relevant history of paraprofessional staff in schools and the current need for increased development and support of these staff members. Additionally, modern sustainable solutions are explored to develop paraprofessional literacy knowledge and instructional skills for these vital staff members. Programming recommendations are grounded in adult learning theory, feedback and coaching, …

Undocumented And Unsupported: How College Students Navigate To Meet Their Basic Needs, Mario Alberto Gonzalez

Master's Theses

The cost of attendance at colleges and universities across the United States has risen exponentially year after year. Among these costs include tuition, lodging, food, textbooks, academic materials, and health care, many of which are considered “basic needs” that are ultimately essential for human survival. At the same time, certain groups of students continue to be marginalized and presented with additional barriers in accessing higher education in equitable ways. Undocumented students are one of these groups of students, and are the focus of this study. Although the passage of DACA in 2012 presented opportunities for approximately 800,000 undocumented students, it …

A Study On Support From A Distant Learning Department At A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Bobbie Myatt, Alejandro Garcia, Velma D. Menchaca

Organization and School Leadership Faculty Publications

Online programs have made a lasting impact on institutions of higher learning for several decades. This ethnographic qualitative study focused on the development and support of a distance learning department at a Hispanic-serving institution. The study aimed to identify unique organizational elements specific to this Hispanic-serving institution. The findings were significant, revealing that the Distance Learning department, operating under an “academic umbrella”, functioned as a comprehensive hub for both faculty and student support, offering a wide range of services including technical and instructional technology support. Furthermore, the study found that the department's placement under the “academic umbrella” not only centralized …

Promoting Equitable And Holistic Education: The Role Of Arts Education And Whole Child Policy In Unleashing Potential And Advancing Progress, Collette Ain Williams Alleyne

LMU Theses and Dissertations

Inclusive arts education policy considers the arts a viable entry point to a holistic educational experience. It encourages educators to engage with students on a social and emotional level. Several studies have explored challenges with policy implementation that identify educators' interpretation of policy or assimilation to existing policy as a barrier to the full actualization of policy. Through a rigorous convergent mixed-methods study using convenience sampling, I present a thorough analysis of data that reflects internalized values, beliefs, and ideas. Seven contributors, five educational leaders, and two alumni completed interviews, and twenty-one educational leaders completed surveys utilizing Qualtrics (www.qualtrics.com/), a …

Untapped Potential? Understanding The Paraeducator-To-Teacher Pipeline And Its Potential For Diversifying The Teacher Workforce, Andrew M. Camp, Gema Zamarro, Josh B. Mcgee

Education Reform Faculty and Graduate Students Publications

Paraeducators are among the largest categories of public education employees and are increasingly seen as a pool of potential teachers. However, little is known about paraeducator-to-teacher transitions. Using statewide administrative data, we show that while paraeducators may be more racially/ethnically diverse than the teacher workforce, Black and Hispanic paraeducators are less likely than White paraeducators to transition into teaching. We additionally show that teachers with paraeducator experience are similarly effective to teachers without paraeducator experience. Lastly, we use simulations to show that the potential for the paraeducator-to-teacher pipeline to diversify the teaching profession may be limited unless they are highly …

Utilizing Teaching Strategies To Create Productive Coaches: Teaching Competencies For Student-Athlete Development, Marina D. Niehoff

Leadership Education Capstones

This mixed-methods study explores the connection between teaching and coaching, focusing on how teaching competencies can be applied to coaching to develop student-athletes. The research addresses three key questions: which pedagogical strategies can be transferred from teaching to coaching, how the dual role of teacher-coach affects relationships with students and players, and how leadership techniques are utilized in both contexts. The theoretical framework is based on the intersection of educational pedagogy and athletic coaching. Data were collected through online surveys and individual interviews. The study used an online survey in addition to in-person interviews to collect data from teacher-coaches (people …

Disrupting The Disconnect And Delving Deeper: A Study Exploring The Dimensions Of Black Male Educators, Terri Elaine Cole Brown

Dissertations

Nationwide, the role and impact of Black male educators and administrators in schools is a critical area of study. This research focuses on a predominantly Black, Catholic high school in the Midwest, where Black male educators and administrators comprise 40% of the staff, providing a unique setting for exploration. While numerous studies have examined Black male educators' experiences, motivations, and perspectives, this research seeks to understand the dynamics within a school where they are significantly represented. This study provided a comprehensive understanding of their influence through surveys, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups with Black male teachers, administrators, alumni, and parents. …

Perceptions Of The Differing Preparatory Needs Of Teacher Leaders And Educational Leaders, Kimberly Green

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the differing preparatory needs of teacher leaders and educational leaders through a phenomenographic approach, identifying unique and overlapping elements of these two leadership domains. Grounded in Adult Learning Theory, the study emphasizes self-directed learning and practical knowledge for professional development. Thematic findings reveal that Teacher Leadership Preparation Programs are primarily research-based on the practitioner’s perspective, offering insights grounded in classroom experience, while Educational Leadership Preparation Programs focus on developing supervisory skills for school and district leadership roles. This highlights the different focal points in leadership training, with teacher leadership prioritizing mentorship and educational leadership focusing on supervision. …

A Qualitative Narrative Study About Mental Well-Being And Coping Strategies In Generation-Z Undergraduate Student Leaders, Lacey Folsom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was a qualitative narrative on the advantages experienced by Generation Z students who participated in leadership roles within university-sponsored student organizations. This study incorporated generational, coping, and transactional theories to help the researcher establish a potential link between the mental well-being of students and their participation in cocurricular university-sponsored groups. The primary goal of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of how students perceived the influence of their participation in student organizations on their ability to handle mental well-being issues. It sought to explore whether factors such as time commitment, skill development, or an increased sense …

School Culture And Teacher Retention, Verley Lanns-Isaac

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, single case study was to gain insight into the culture construct in relation to whether it contributes to teachers’ decisions to either leave or stay in a school for the long haul. The research questions of the study were the following: What is the influence of school culture on teacher retention? What aspects of school cultures inform teachers’ decisions to stay or leave the school or teaching profession? What measures instituted by school leaders help to sway teachers’ decisions to either stay or leave the school or teaching profession? Why do some school cultures tend …

Perspectives Of Student Affairs Staff: Impact Of Employee Engagement On Student Success, Kourtney Ross

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

August 2024 Bulldog Alumni & Friends News, Kari Jones, Garrett King

Bulldog Alumni & Friends News

July 29- August 9th

Online Auction- 18th Annual SWOSU Athletic Auction

August 1

SWOSU Near You- Okarche

August 9

SWOSU Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet

August 10

18th Annual SWOSU Athletic Auction

September 13

SWOSU Charitable Hunt

October 26

SWOSU Homecoming

Public School And District Leaders’ Understanding Of Cybersecurity Practices And Policies, Jaye-Jaye Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Educational technology (EdTech) interoperability throughout cyberspace provides the financial opportunity for collecting and selling of student privacy information. The research problem addressed throughout this study is the public school district leaders' (SDLs) understanding of EdTech cyber security practices and policies (EdTechCSPP). Little is known regarding SDLs’ understanding of EdTechCSPP in schools because of oblique EdTech business practices. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine differences in SDLs’ EdTechCSPP response scores between independent variables (IV) of SDLs’ gender, educational achievements, age ranges, or types of school districts. The theoretical framework was based on Nissenbaum’s contextual integrity theory. Four research …