Cultivating Commitment Within Educational Ecosystems: Improving Teacher Satisfaction Through Autonomy And Expertise, Jane Mcintosh Cooper, Leslie Gauna, John Decman, Sheila Baker

School Leadership Review

This study explores the experiences of Texas educators’ job satisfaction, focusing on their ability to enact curriculum and pedagogy within their school ecosystems. Reporting of partial qualitative results of a larger mixed-methods survey of teachers in Texas, the research examines how administrative and contextual stances impact teachers’ professional and personal goals. Findings reveal that dismissive attitudes toward teachers’ content expertise and micromanagement by evaluation-focused leadership lead to dissatisfaction and potential attrition. Conversely, growth-oriented leadership that values autonomy and respects teachers’ practical knowledge enhances job satisfaction and commitment. The study, grounded in self-determination theory, highlights the critical role of intrinsic motivators—such …

Burdened And Fatigued: The Hidden Costs Of Supporting Undocumented Students In Postsecondary Contexts, Blanca Elizabeth Vega

Department of Educational Leadership Scholarship and Creative Works

Sociopolitical and institutional barriers significantly influence the mental health and overall well-being of undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students in US higher education. Concurrently, higher education and student affairs (HESA) professionals who serve these students face their own psychological and professional challenges as they navigate restrictive policies and bureaucratic uncertainty. This brief research report extends the Immigration Battle Fatigue (IBF) framework by integrating principles from administrative burden theory to examine the interconnected experiences of undocumented students and the professionals who support them. Drawing on qualitative data from a Spencer Foundation–funded study of HESA professionals’ work with undocumented …

Special Education Teacher Attrition, Gender Roles And Human Motivation, Kristen Yurczak

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative narrative inquiry examined the lived experiences of special education teachers working within United States public schools, focusing on factors contributing to special education teacher attrition, such as intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, job satisfaction, and gender dynamics. Fifteen certified special education teachers with at least two years of experience participated in semi-structured interviews conducted during the summer of 2024. This study is framed in theories of human motivation and gender roles, which informed the research questions and the analysis. The study’s findings indicated that intrinsic motivators—including a sense of purpose and the opportunity to positively impact students' lives were …

Examining The Influence Of Schools’ Federal Designation Of “Continuous Support And Improvement” On Teachers’ Workplace Stress And Self-Efficacy, Kimberly Michelle Seybolt

Student Theses and Dissertations

Workplace stress among teachers, accompanied by diminished self-efficacy, particularly in virtual environments, may lead to higher teacher turnover and hinder school improvement efforts. This qualitative, phenomenological study examined teachers’ lived experiences at a virtual charter school federally designated as a Comprehensive Support and Improvement school to understand whether this designation influenced workplace stress and, in turn, whether that stress affected teacher self-efficacy in the areas of classroom management, instructional strategies, and student engagement. More specifically, the study explored how federal designation influenced teachers’ workplace stress and whether this stress influenced teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs. The conceptual premises of Bandura’s Social Cognitive …

Athletic Coaches’ Perspective: The Intersection Of Female Collegiate Athletic Involvement, Emotional Health, And Academic Performance, Kimba P. Jackson

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the mental health challenges faced by female Division I collegiate athletes. The problem addressed was the issue of poor psychological health among Division I female collegiate athletes. The pressures faced by this subpopulation can lead to psychological distress, which may manifest as anxiety, depression, and role conflict. Consequently, female athletes encounter unique challenges that can adversely affect their overall well-being and performance in athletics and academics. This research aimed to investigate the influence of collegiate athletic participation on female athletes' mental health, particularly from the perspective of coaches, who play a vital role in shaping their athletes' …

Examining The Influences Of Principals' Authentic Leadership Practices On Positive Classroom Learning Climate, Students’ Social And Emotional Learning, And Student Behavior, Craig Wesley Johnson

Student Theses and Dissertations

For many years, students’ well-being has been affected by hostile classroom learning climates, the lack of social-emotional learning, and disruptive student behavior. This study was guided by the Authentic Leadership Theory and Social-Emotional Learning. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the impact of principals' authentic leadership practices on the classroom learning climate, social-emotional learning, and student behavior. A quantitative study using ANOVA and hierarchical aggression test was conducted through a questionnaire, which 108 participants completed in a small rural school district in Southeast Missouri. Data showed no relationship between teachers’ years of experience and student behavior. Data …

Defining Student Success: Whether Inconsistencies Impact Institutional Resources And The Ability To Meet Student Needs, Kathleen Swain

Student Theses and Dissertations

The term student success is frequently used in higher education, yet no universally accepted definition exists. This lack of a common understanding of what success means can lead to inconsistent priorities and practices across institutions. This qualitative case study explored how internal stakeholders at one community college define student success and whether discrepancies exist between their definitions. Guided by the framework of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, this study addressed three research questions: (1) How do definitions of student success vary across community college stakeholder groups? (2) How do different community college stakeholders describe the relationship between the academic components of …

Identification Of Leadership And Managerial Roles Used By School Superintendents To Manage Rural School Districts, Bruce Allen Gillham

Student Theses and Dissertations

The role of rural superintendents is multifaceted, often requiring a balance of strategic leadership, operational management, and community involvement within school systems that face resource limitations and geographic challenges. However, existing job descriptions for rural superintendents frequently do not reflect the realities of their daily tasks, resulting in misunderstandings and misalignments between governing bodies and the superintendents. This study aims to enhance the understanding of rural superintendents' roles by examining the experiences of four superintendents from southeastern Oklahoma. Drawing on Mintzberg's managerial role framework and an interpretive phenomenological approach, this research highlights the importance of the researcher's self-reflection and the …

Education Pandemonium: A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Middle School Teacher-Parents’ During The Covid Crisis, Harold Wayne Stanfield

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of middle school teacher-parents (MST-Parents) during the COVID-19 pandemic in an urban school district in southeastern Mississippi. The research investigated how educators balance professional responsibilities with familial obligations during a public health emergency. Semi-structured interviews with eight participants identified role ambiguity, deficits in institutional support, and resource limitations as significant stressors. To balance their dual role demands, participants depended significantly on the assistance of colleagues. Numerous findings aligned with the study's theoretical framework; however, a notable limitation in participant feedback, particularly about instructional and technical support from their children's schools, necessitated additional …

How Does R.I.S.E. Arkansas Address The Reading Needs Of Students In The Delta Region Of Arkansas Public Schools?, Kristy Brasfield

Student Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the impact of the Reading Initiative for Student Excellence (R.I.S.E.) Arkansas on reading achievement in grades 3–10 across Arkansas public schools from 2015 to 2023, with particular attention to high-poverty districts in the Delta Region. Using ACT Aspire Summative Assessment data, the study employed independent samples t-tests, paired-samples t-tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and multiple linear regression to analyze trends in student performance, subgroup disparities, and district-level variation. Results indicated incremental statewide gains in reading, with the most significant improvements occurring in early grades. However, schools with 70% or higher National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participation showed …

Exploring Novice Teachers’ Perceptions Of A Core Competency Within A Beginning Teacher Assistance Program: A Phenomenological Study, Alayna Roller

Student Theses and Dissertations

Novice teachers often begin their careers without sufficient preparation in classroom management and community building, core competencies critical to creating structured, supportive learning environments. These gaps can hinder teacher self-efficacy, affect student engagement, and contribute to high attrition rates. In a single Southwest Missouri school district, the Beginning Teacher Assistance Program (BTAP) was designed to support new teachers in developing these competencies. However, little is known about how novice teachers perceive their experiences within this program. The purpose of this study was to explore how novice teachers interpret their experiences related to classroom management and community building through their participation …

Comparing Standards-Based Grading And Traditional Grading Practices: The Influence Of Two Grading Practices On State-Standardized Test Scores And High School Grades, Brooke Daugherty

Student Theses and Dissertations

Standards-based and traditional grading practices were compared in this research by the analysis of state-standardized test scores and classroom grades. The problem described in this quantitative comparative study is that state-standardized test scores do not always match a student’s knowledge. Students, teachers, and parents are affected because learning must be communicated to all parties. The purpose of this study is to compare state-standardized test scores through traditional and standards-based grading practices in elementary and high school mathematics. Using the four stages of Kolb’s experiential learning theory, the grading experience was examined. Approximately 700 students’ state-standardized test scores and 350 classroom …

K-6 Teacher Perspectives Regarding Pre-Covid-19 Digital Competencies Professional Development And Teaching During The Pandemic, Melissa Kay King

Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the impact of pre-pandemic digital competencies training on K-6 teachers’ preparedness for the rapid shift to remote and hybrid teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the sudden transition to online education, teachers, particularly those with limited technological experience, faced challenges in adapting to new digital environments. The purpose of this study was to explore how pre-pandemic training influenced teachers’ ability to effectively teach in these novel settings and identify the strategies they employed to overcome obstacles. The study was guided by sensemaking theory, which posits that individuals interpret new experiences based on their prior knowledge and existing …

Beyond The Numbers: How Elementary Principals’ Beliefs, Experiences, And Contexts Shape Their Descriptions And Perceptions Of Effective Data Use As Instructional Leaders, Brett Lobben

Doctorate in Education

Effective data use informs next steps in student learning and drives school improvement and systemic change, making it a critical factor in school success. Principals play a critical role in creating the conditions necessary for data use to thrive (Park & Datnow, 2009; Keuning et al., 2017; Schildkamp et al., 2019; DuFour et al., 2016; Albiladi et al., 2020). This study explored how elementary school principals describe and perceive effective data use within the context of their instructional leadership, and how these perceptions are shaped by personal beliefs, past experiences, and the educational contexts in which they lead.

This qualitative …

Leading Through Crisis: Lessons In Leadership From New Jersey Administrators During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alicia Subervi

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

ABSTRACT

This qualitative comparative case study examined the lived experiences of building- and district-level administrators in a single New Jersey school district as they navigated the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study explored how administrators perceived and responded to disruptions, how responses evolved over time, lessons learned, and the ways these insights are being applied in schools today. Data were collected from demographic and technology surveys, two rounds of semi-structured interviews, and a targeted review of district documents. Analysis was conducted using a combination of a priori and emergent coding to identify 27 codes organized into nine overarching …

2025-09-18 Faculty Senate Newsletter, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate newsletter from September 18, 2025.

2025-09-18 Faculty Senate Scoop Newsletter, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate Scoop newsletter from September 18, 2025.

2025-09-18 Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate meeting minutes from September 18, 2025.

Promotion And Tenure Workshop 2025, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Workshops

Presentation slides from the Promotion and Tenure Workshop held on September 17, 2025.

Self-Authorship And Student Outcomes – A Mixed Methods Study, Rue Ratray

Educational Studies Dissertations

There are a relatively small number of schools in Massachusetts that produce strong growth in student outcomes in a given year. Having a clear understanding of the characteristics of these schools allows other schools to improve outcomes for all students. The purpose of this research study was to identify the characteristics of these schools with a specific focus on the schools that produce strong gains in student growth with large percentages of students who are designated as low income. A mixed methods study, which combined secondary data analysis and a case study was used. Secondary data analysis was used to …