Threads Of Empathy: An Integrative Model Of Empathy In The Schools,
2026
St. Lawrence University
Threads Of Empathy: An Integrative Model Of Empathy In The Schools, Arthur J. Clark, Tara M. Simpson
Journal of Human Services Scholarship and Interprofessional Collaboration
Empathy has a distinctive and evolving history in education for cultivating human relationships and engendering mutual understanding. Within a school setting, empathic engagement is essential for the social and emotional development of children and adolescents. From an educational perspective, literature from multiple disciplines and specialties illustrate innovative practices to harness empathy in the classroom and beyond. The representative initiatives hold promise for developing an integrative model of empathy within a school or a school district through a program involving interprofessional collaboration.
Ish Bibliotherapy Guide,
2026
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Ish Bibliotherapy Guide, David Wolff
OER Materials
The goal of this assignment was for preservice teachers to practice writing a chain of questions that focused on the social and/or emotional needs of young learners. Bibliotherapy is therapeutic in nature to help individuals understand themselves and the world around them through guided reading experiences (American Library Association, 2025; Delisle & Galbraith, 2002). Further, bibliotherapy allow individuals to identify a personal problem mirrored by a character in a book. As the reader connects with the character, the reader experiences the emotions expressed by the character. Finally, the reader applies the character’s experience to their own personal problem (American Library …
The Dot Bibliotherapy Guide,
2026
Minnesota State University Moorhead
The Dot Bibliotherapy Guide, David Wolff
OER Materials
The goal of this assignment was for preservice teachers to practice writing a chain of questions that focused on the social and/or emotional needs of young learners. Bibliotherapy is therapeutic in nature to help individuals understand themselves and the world around them through guided reading experiences (American Library Association, 2025; Delisle & Galbraith, 2002). Further, bibliotherapy allow individuals to identify a personal problem mirrored by a character in a book. As the reader connects with the character, the reader experiences the emotions expressed by the character. Finally, the reader applies the character’s experience to their own personal problem (American Library …
Data Culture's Influence On Instructional Change And Continuous School Improvement,
2026
Marshall University
Data Culture's Influence On Instructional Change And Continuous School Improvement, Sara Guth
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
The use of data for decision making and taking an evidence-based approach to instruction has been the gold standard for schools and their continuous improvement efforts for many years in elementary education. The system of military-connected schools is no different. This unique system has taken steps to support the development of a data culture in its schools to include providing clear guidance in its Blueprint for Continuous Improvement, designating weekly release time for students so that educators may engage in Focused Collaboration time, and designing structures and resources to support teams with this practice such as the Focused Collaboration …
Investigating The Changes In Attitudes Towards Science Among Pre-Service Elementary Teachers Enrolled In A Science Methods Course Using A New Version Of The Test Of Science Related Attitudes,
2026
University of North Texas
Investigating The Changes In Attitudes Towards Science Among Pre-Service Elementary Teachers Enrolled In A Science Methods Course Using A New Version Of The Test Of Science Related Attitudes, Christopher S. Long, Becky Sinclair
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
This article examines the changes in student attitudes towards science among pre-service elementary teachers (PSETs), who were enrolled in a science methods course at a large public university in Texas, USA. A new version of the Test of Science Related Attitudes (TOSRA) called TOSRA-3 was used to measure six dimensions of attitudes towards science. TOSRA-3 was created in an effort to create a more economical, 35 items versus 70 items, version of the original TOSRA. TOSRA-3 was found to be valid and reliable for use with PSETs. Factor analysis suggests a six scale structure with a Cronbach’s Alpha for each …
Supporting Risky Outdoor Play Through Professional Development: A Quasi-Experimental Study Of Tk–6 Educators’ Attitudes,
2026
Cal Poly Humboldt
Supporting Risky Outdoor Play Through Professional Development: A Quasi-Experimental Study Of Tk–6 Educators’ Attitudes, Justin Ross Burrill
Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects
Children’s opportunities for active outdoor risky play have declined in many educational settings, despite evidence that manageable risk supports physical activity, self-regulation, confidence, resilience, and social participation. Educator attitudes and school culture may play an important role in determining whether children are offered developmentally appropriate opportunities for challenge, exploration, and autonomy. This quasi-experimental, single-group pretest-posttest study examined whether participation in a single-session professional development workshop was associated with changes in educators’ tolerance of risk in children’s play. Thirty educators attended a workshop focused on risky play, hazard-risk differentiation, inclusion of children with disabilities, loose-parts play, environmental affordances, and practitioner-informed implementation …
The Effect Of Occupational Roles, Burnout, And Efficacy On Job Satisfaction Among K-12 Teachers,
2026
Eastern Illinois University
The Effect Of Occupational Roles, Burnout, And Efficacy On Job Satisfaction Among K-12 Teachers, Chloe Schwahn
Masters Theses
The aim of this study was to investigate variables that may impact the ratings of job satisfaction by practicing Illinois K-12 teachers specifically examining if the variables of occupational roles, burnout, efficacy, and other relevant covariates are correlated and/or have predictive utility on teacher job satisfaction. A secondary goal was to raise awareness about the stressors teachers face in their work environments. Survey materials included a demographics questionnaire, an occupational roles catalog, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale, and the Teacher Job Satisfaction Scale. Seventy-six practicing Illinois K-12 teachers completed the study. Results of the current …
Teachers' Perceptions And Professional Uses Of Artificial Intelligence In Education,
2026
Eastern Illinois University
Teachers' Perceptions And Professional Uses Of Artificial Intelligence In Education, Lexie Coartney
Masters Theses
This study explores Illinois teachers’ perceptions and professional uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. A mixed methods approach was implemented, including a survey completed by 137 Illinois teachers and four interviews. The research questions examined teachers' perceptions of AI, their professional use of AI, and their approach to students’ use of AI. Findings concluded that participants generally hold positive perceptions of AI, especially its time-saving abilities and being supportive, while also holding concerns including reliability, accuracy, and ethical issues. Results showed that 77% (n = 106) of teachers use AI tools mostly for lesson planning, creating assessments, differentiation, …
Examining Explicit Professional Development As A Means To Change Inclusive Mindsets,
2026
Illinois State University
Examining Explicit Professional Development As A Means To Change Inclusive Mindsets, Mitchell E. Elatkin
Theses and Dissertations
Inclusive education requires educators to hold beliefs that support the participation and success of students with disabilities in general education settings. Although federal policy mandates access to the least restrictive environment, educator attitudes toward inclusion continue to influence the implementation of inclusive practices. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine whether explicit professional development (PD) focused on inclusive mindsets influenced school stakeholders’ attitudes toward inclusion across a school year. Participants included representatives from various roles within a charter school organization in the Midwest. The researcher collected data through two administrations of the Adapted Teacher Attitudes Toward Inclusion Survey …
Hidden Gems Of Clay County: “Snap + Say Something” Inquiry Protocol,
2026
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Hidden Gems Of Clay County: “Snap + Say Something” Inquiry Protocol, David Wolff
OER Materials
The goal of this assignment was to design an immersive, place‑based learning experience that helps preservice teachers engage with primary sources connected to the history and culture of Clay County, Minnesota. In collaboration with the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, preservice teachers visited the Hjemkomst Center and used autophotography to document artifacts, exhibits, and moments that helped them understand what makes Moorhead and the wider Clay County community a unique and meaningful place. Alongside their photographs, they wrote reflections explaining why each image captures an aspect of Clay County as a “special place.” This approach is intended …
Wild Rice Life Cycle: An Integrated Science, Social Studies, And Ela Lesson,
2026
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Wild Rice Life Cycle: An Integrated Science, Social Studies, And Ela Lesson, Rhett Zima, Lily Deming
OER Materials
This lesson is designed to deepen students’ understanding of wild rice, a plant native to Minnesota, by integrating life science concepts such as structure, function, life cycles, and seed dispersal with prior knowledge from English Language Arts and Social Studies. Using the 5E instructional model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate), students participate in a structured, inquiry-based learning experience. They begin by connecting to prior knowledge and generating questions, then investigating the life cycle and growth patterns of wild rice through hands-on exploration. As students build their understanding, they analyze how the plant’s seed dispersal supports its survival and reproduction. …
Supporting Core Instruction: A Mixed Methods Study Of Foundations Of Math Training For Elementary Teachers,
2026
Gardner-Webb University
Supporting Core Instruction: A Mixed Methods Study Of Foundations Of Math Training For Elementary Teachers, Naomi C. Mallory
Doctor of Education Dissertations
Effective Tier 1 mathematics instruction within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) depends on the teacher’s ability to implement research-based instructional practices with confidence and fidelity (Berkeley et al., 2020; Cleaver, 2023). The purpose of this study was to explore educators' perspectives on how explicit, research-based mathematics professional development influenced their perceived capacity to deliver effective core instruction. Specifically, the study explored how the Foundations of Math (FoM) professional development course affected teachers’ confidence and instructional decision-making. This study was conducted within one public school district and included elementary educators who had participated in the FoM course. Data were collected …
Overcoming The Literacy Gap In K-5 Students From A District Perspective: A Qualitative Study,
2026
Gardner-Webb University
Overcoming The Literacy Gap In K-5 Students From A District Perspective: A Qualitative Study, Sarah G. Boles
Doctor of Education Dissertations
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how district leaders respond to literacy gaps among kindergarten through fifth-grade students in a small, rural school district in Northwestern North Carolina. While previous research has focused specifically on classroom practices, less is known about the role of district leadership in shaping system-level approaches to literacy improvement. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 18 participants, which included nine elementary lead classroom teachers and nine elementary school leaders (five principals, two assistant principals, and two instructional coaches). The culminating focus group included six teachers, three principals, …
When Play Fades And Screens Rise: Teachers' And Parents' Lived Experiences Of The Push-Down Of Academics In Kindergarten,
2026
Antioch University
When Play Fades And Screens Rise: Teachers' And Parents' Lived Experiences Of The Push-Down Of Academics In Kindergarten, Rachel L. Hunter
Doctor of Education
In the span of a single generation federal mandates have transformed kindergarten from a place of play into an academic pressure zone. This study is grounded in early childhood education, child development, and educational policy, with a focus on heightened academic expectations in kindergarten alongside the rising influence of digital technology in young children’s lives. It addresses two questions: (1) How has the reduction or elimination of play in kindergarten impacted children’s peer-to-peer engagement? and (2) What role, if any, does digital technology play in compounding this shift? This phenomenological study employs qualitative, transformative action-research methods to examine the lived …
Accountability In The Musical Classroom,
2026
University of North Alabama
Accountability In The Musical Classroom, Austin Chambers
Music
Once the teacher explains the topic and works with the class, the students must be able to review, either individually or in groups, and make necessary changes to be able to correct themselves. When the topic or lesson is portrayed and explained to the class, the students must be able to observe any different changes they may need to make to what they have observed in themselves. Once they are able to reflect on themselves with little or no teacher support, students can move on to additional topics or the next section of the lesson they are discussing. This can …
Becoming An Effective Literacy Educator: A Qualitative Study In Elementary Education,
2026
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Becoming An Effective Literacy Educator: A Qualitative Study In Elementary Education, Lillian Petry
2026 Honors Symposium
Background: This thesis explores the personal journey of one childhood education teacher candidate becoming an effective teacher through both childhood experiences and formal preparation through an elementary teacher preparation program within a R1 University in the Southeastern United States. Arkansas continues to face literacy challenges making it significant to understand how future teachers can be better prepared to face the diverse needs of students in the classroom. Purpose: This research was based on the question: How do pre-service teachers’ childhood reading experiences, combined with their literacy instruction during teacher preparation, contribute to their development as effective literacy educators? Existing research …
Ecosystem Of The Loch Ness Monster,
2026
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Ecosystem Of The Loch Ness Monster, Ava Bauch, Cami Mayo, Sean Savage
OER Materials
This lesson plan provides an engaging interdisciplinary learning experience for fourth-grade students by combining language arts and science through the theme of the Loch Ness ecosystem. Using the 5E instructional model students build understanding of ecosystems, food webs, and informational text comprehension. The lesson aligns with standards focused on making inferences with text evidence and constructing arguments about how plants and animals use structures for survival, growth, and reproduction. Students begin by analyzing an image of the Loch Ness Monster and discussing what they see, think, and wonder. This introductory activity activates prior knowledge from earlier lessons while encouraging curiosity …
The Relationship Between Participants In The Certificate Of Educational Technology And Information Literacy (Coetail) Program And Professional Capital,
2026
University of Kentucky
The Relationship Between Participants In The Certificate Of Educational Technology And Information Literacy (Coetail) Program And Professional Capital, Benjamin J. Sheridan
Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies
This study aimed to explore how educators involved in the Certificate of Educational Technology and Information Literacy (COETAIL) program perceived the development of their professional capital within an online, cohort-based professional learning community. Based on Hargreaves and Fullan’s (2012) concept of professional capital, which includes human, social, and decisional capital, and guided by social learning theories, the study examined participants’ perceptions of professional capital development, the program features related to that development, and how participation influenced their professional paths. The research focused on international school settings, where educators often rely on networked professional learning because of geographic mobility and limited …
A Descriptive Study Of Culturally Responsive Practices In Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports (Pbis) In West Virginia Elementary Schools,
2026
Marshall University
A Descriptive Study Of Culturally Responsive Practices In Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports (Pbis) In West Virginia Elementary Schools, Janna Rae Coleman
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
This descriptive mixed-methods study examined elementary teachers’ implementation and perceived effectiveness of culturally responsive practices within existing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) systems in a West Virginia school district. Guided by Leverson et al.’s (2021) Culturally Responsive PBIS (CRPBIS) framework, the study explored five components of culturally responsive practice: identity, voice, supportive environment, situational appropriateness, and data for equity. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 86 elementary teachers using the researcher-developed Culturally Responsive Practices in Existing PBIS Survey. Findings indicated that teachers reported frequent implementation and perceived effectiveness across all five components, with the supportive environment receiving …
Preservice Teachers' Visions And Understandings Of Classroom Documentation And Displays Of Children's Work In Elementary Schools,
2026
Old Dominion University
Preservice Teachers' Visions And Understandings Of Classroom Documentation And Displays Of Children's Work In Elementary Schools, Angela Eckhoff
Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications
At present, research exploring educator’s understandings of displays of student work is scant yet such displays are regularly exhibited within the community spaces of early learning and elementary schools. These displays communicate messages to those within the space about teacher and student agency, curricular priorities, children and their work, and the relationship between teaching and learning. Grounded in a framework of documentality and teacher vision, this paper explores the ways in which preservice teachers (PSTs) understand teacher-cultivated, student work documentation. This research used a Photo-Elicitation Interview methodology to develop a descriptive account of PSTs' visions and understandings of teacher-cultivated, classroom …
