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An Editorial: If I Should Fall, Patrick Otto, David Weir

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Abstract

The future of Christian higher education will be determined by whether today’s leaders can identify and train successors who are called to the mission and vision of each institution. The task of transitioning to a new generation of leaders has become more complicated as research shows that the church in America is in decline. The increased use of adjuncts adds to the dilemma because it takes time and a single-minded focus to prepare high-level leaders.

We are at a critical time finding the right people to replace the Baby Boomer generation, which has led well past retirement age. As …

The Effects Of Phonetic Knowledge And Bilingualism On The Acquisition Of Non-Native Consonant Clusters, Kylie Wakley

Theses and Dissertations

Speech motor learning involves the production of new sounds or sound sequences. This study investigated how explicit phonetic knowledge and bilingualism affect how individuals acquire sound sequences that do not occur in English, or non-native consonant clusters. Sixty adults with typical speech, aged between 18 and 27 years, participated in the experiment. The researcher recruited participants into four groups based on their phonetic background (experienced or not) and language background (monolingual, bilingual). The participants produced stop-stop and fricative-nasal clusters in the initial position of nonsense words across six practice blocks. The duration of each cluster was measured, which in English …

The Other Summer Soundtrack: Mass Bands, Hbcu Influence, And The Future Of Culturally Relevant, Community-Driven Music Education, Thomas L. Jones Jr.

Masters Theses

This study examines the roles of mass bands, community bands, and all-star bands and explores how they can offer culturally relevant, community-driven alternatives to traditional summer music education programs. This is especially important for students from diverse and lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Traditional marching musical arts programs require students to have access to sufficient funding and transportation, effectively locking out low-income and culturally distant groups. This research explores how alternative band models offer a viable option for supporting young students in music education, social skills development, and leadership. The multiple-case study focused on three diverse program types. Over the course of …

Recovering Persuasion In A Post-Truth Classroom, Lydia James

Masters Theses

Modern composition pedagogy embraces pluralism and expressivism that in turn reduces persuasion to mere self-expression or genre performance rather than disciplined inquiry. This thesis argues that the historical shift in composition’s values has created a civic gap. Within this gap, students adopt either powerful or reluctant attitudes due to the lack of ethical responsibility attached to their agency. Surveying the negligence of classical definitions of persuasion in modern models, this research traces the collapse of ethical deliberation through the movements of expressivism, pluralism, and postmodern skepticism. While these movements intended to avoid the rigid dogma that existed over time, they …

The Implications Of Well-Being On Job Retention: An Exploration Of Organizational Outcomes In Elementary Education, Courtney Winters

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many organizations continue to face a rapidly declining workforce within the field of education. Organizational factors such as leadership or communication style can have |drastic effects on educators’ well-being, which is also linked to long-term organizational commitment. This mixed-methods study explored the role of organizational factors on employee well-being and retention in the elementary educational arena. In conducting semi-structured interviews, ten participants who held various roles within a school campus were included in this study, focusing on their lived experiences. In addition to informational interviews, a final, post-interview survey question was incorporated to provide a holistic approach in investigating the …

Homeschool Music: The Predictive Relationship Between Parents’ Homeschooling Approach And Religiosity For Music Learning Choices, Ashley Virginia Finke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlational study was to examine how accurately the combination of parents’ homeschooling approach and parents’ religiosity predict music learning choices for homeschooled students. A Florida Department of Education report showed an increase in homeschooling between the 2013-14 and 2023-24 school years, while an Institute of Education Sciences report documented that 49 percent of homeschooled students in the United States participated in music in 2016. Despite these reports, limited research exists of homeschool music education in the United States and, specifically, in Florida. This study resulted from the related literature and the dearth of current …

Exploring The Impact Of Athlete-Coach Relationship On Self-Worth: A Phenomenal Study Of Perceptions And Dynamics, Jada D. Harris-Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research investigates how the coach-athlete relationship affects athletes' self-worth, emotional dependency, and resilience, using the single-parent or two-parent family dynamic as a moderating factor. Using self-determination theory, attachment theory, and social identity theory as frameworks, the current study explores how coaching styles influence the psychological well-being of athletes. This research utilizes interviews, questionnaires, and observations to analyze perceived coach support, emotional dependency, and resilience themes. The study's findings indicate that autonomy-supportive coaching helps athletes develop self-esteem, coping skills, and mental resilience. On the other hand, controlling coaching styles is associated with increased pressure and lower levels of resilience. Also, …

Factors Influencing High School Band Enrollment For Eighth Grade Students In Ohio Small Town School Districts, Jon Steven Kauffman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many factors influence the choices of eighth-grade students as they decide whether to enroll in high school band. While musical ability and achievement can play a role in this decision, research suggests that social influences, such as peer relationships, a sense of belonging, and the band program's cultural environment, often have a greater impact on students' decisions. The Ohio Department of Education classifies school districts into four categories: Urban, Rural, Suburban, and Small-town. Although similar to other designations, small-town districts require a distinct label because of the unique mix of factors in these locations. They lack the population density of …

Parental Understanding Of The Influence Of Ecological Systems On The Educational Experiences Of The Dependent Children Of Enlisted And Officer Families Stationed In Japan: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Nortia M. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore how enlisted and officer parents stationed in Japan understand and described how different ecological systems influence the educational experience and academic performance of their dependent children. The theory that guided this study is Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory as it provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the inter-influential relationship between the children and the different ecological systems in their environment. The central research question provided a conduit for further exploration by asking how do enlisted and officer parents understand and describe how different ecological factors from Bronfenbrenner’s systems theory shape the …

Imago Dei Leadership Model, Jessica Lei Kritner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Dissertation-in-Praxis sought to observe the intentional application of leadership styles at Birmingham Master Commission (BMC), a traditional discipleship program for college aged adults (ages 18–25). While biblically centered and focused on spiritual formation, BMC lacked healthy leadership precedent and defaulted to peer-leadership only. This practice created a sporadic leadership culture that restricted student growth, autonomy, and investment in the program. This Dissertation-in-Praxis served as a process-based intervention on the psychological and spiritual impacts leadership styles have on young adult leaders. Transformational, servant, and participative leadership practices were modeled in existing ministry systems: one-on-one mentoring, leadership labs, and small group …

African American Clergywomen's Leadership Experiences In Protestant Churches In Jacksonville, Florida, Felicia M. Simon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As Christian leaders, African American clergywomen have encountered obstacles and victories while serving in Protestant denominations. However, the challenges of Black women largely reflect those of Black clergywomen. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of African American clergywomen functioning in Christian leadership roles within Protestant churches in Jacksonville, Florida. At this stage in the research, lived experiences were generally defined as the personal, spiritual, professional, and social realities the clergywomen faced as they led congregations, networked with other denominations, and managed environmental factors in ministry. The theory guiding this study was Womanist theory, developed …

A Predictive Correlational Study Of User Acceptance Of Electronic Medical Record Systems In Nursing Higher Educational Institutions, Clara Awosika

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational study was to examine the extent to which perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use predict behavioral intention and actual usage of electronic medical record systems among nurses who have passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Using the Technology Acceptance Model, this study sought to address a gap in the literature regarding the level of user acceptance and utilization of EMR systems among nursing students during their training in higher education institutions. Participants included 85 actively licensed nurses who used EMR systems during their academic preparation. Data were collected using …

The Experiences Of Females With Adhd Receiving Their Diagnoses In Post-Secondary School: A Phenomenological Study, Sarah A. Schultz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the educational experiences of females who received attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses while attending postsecondary schools. The theory guiding this study was Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory. This theory explains the relationship among environmental, internal, and external factors in a person’s motivation. The central research question was: What are the educational experiences of females who received ADHD diagnoses while attending postsecondary schools in the United States? This study used transcendental phenomenology to understand the experiences of females who received delayed ADHD diagnoses while attending postsecondary school. There were 10 participants in …

Parental Understanding Of The Influence Of Ecological Systems On The Educational Experiences Of The Dependent Children Of Enlisted And Officer Families Stationed In Japan: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Nortia M. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore how enlisted and officer parents stationed in Japan understand and described how different ecological systems influence the educational experience and academic performance of their dependent children. The theory that guided this study is Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory as it provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the inter-influential relationship between the children and the different ecological systems in their environment. The central research question provided a conduit for further exploration by asking how do enlisted and officer parents understand and describe how different ecological factors from Bronfenbrenner’s systems theory shape the …

The Lived Experiences Of African American Clergywomen In In New York City, Rosa Queen-Allen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this century, there has been a notable escalation in the tally of African American women purporting the imperative in their lives to serve within the Black Church in clergy oversight positions. Despite overt inequities in clergy leadership regarding the percentage of males versus females, there is a dearth in the ministerial leadership literature concerning African American females. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of African American females in senior ministry in New York City. For this study, African-American clergywomen will be generally defined as African-American women who lead a church or are called/ordained …

The Influence Of Burnout And High Teacher Turnover On Student Performance In A Kansas County School System: A Case Study, Matthew J. Chambless

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This embedded single-case study aimed to discover the influence of high teacher turnover in a school district in Kansas. The theory guiding this study was Herzberg's two-factor theory, as it addressed job satisfaction that determines teachers' intent to either remain in or leave the teaching profession. Individual interviews, focus groups, and document analysis were employed to answer the central research question investigating the effect of teacher turnover on student performance. Data were collected from 10 participants in a sample pool of over 480 teachers and administrators in the selected Kansas school district. Data analysis employed axial coding, triangulation, and theme …

Education Journey: A Phenomenological Investigation Of The Lived College Experiences For Black Women Ages 20–39, Marsha Natalie Tucker-Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study focused on the lived college experiences of Black female students aged 20-39 in the New York Metropolitan area, drawing on Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory to examine how cultural context, social interaction, and community expectations shaped their academic engagement and development. Using in-depth interviews, focus groups, and journal prompts with ten participants from local communities and churches, the study found that race and social expectations exerted a more profound influence on participants’ academic journeys than gender or age. Their narratives affirmed the value of hermeneutic phenomenology and intersectionality in understanding Black women’s experiences in higher education, particularly as they …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Teachers At A Charter Classical School In Central Texas With A Ban On Student Personal Smart Devices: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Choueang Khantiya Etheridge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of teachers managing instruction and classical educational principles in an environment that bans students’ personal smart devices. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) guided this study as it examined how teachers perceived and responded to technology restrictions through four key constructs: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions. The central research question asked: What are teachers’ lived experiences in a chartered classical school in central Texas as they manage instruction and maintain classical educational principles in an environment that bans students’ …

Unmasking Unity: A Grounded Theory Study Of Holistic Executive Functioning Intervention Development By Support Personnel For Twice-Exceptional High School Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder In A Rural Residential School Setting, Christopher R. Chouiniere

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this situational analysis grounded theory was to develop a unified theory of how support personnel develop and implement interventions for executive functioning development for twice-exceptional students with autism spectrum disorder. The central research question was, “How do support personnel implement holistic and hierarchical executive functioning interventions for twice-exceptional students with autism spectrum disorder?” As there was no appropriate theory to describe holistic and hierarchical executive functioning interventions, situational analysis, as a derivative of grounded theory, was used in this qualitative study. Ten participants, from rural boarding high schools, were interviewed, participated in focus groups, and completed internet …

Increasing Success Of Elementary Music Students With Special Needs Through Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies, Catherine N. Peacock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the federal laws for students with disabilities and their mandated inclusion, many elementary music teachers are under-prepared or lack resources to include students with severe disabilities in general music classes. Adapting procedures, expectations, and content delivery to include peer tutors who assist students with disabilities may be key to success for students with exceptionalities. This case study sought to explore the possibilities of reimagining the traditional elementary music classroom as an inclusive, collaborative space for cooperative learning and music-making by fostering peer relationships and peer tutoring. Utilizing a qualitative case study observational approach, this research explored how to best …

From Talk To Science Literacy: Using Structured Student Talk To Support Newcomer Multilingual Learners In High School, Matthew W. De Boer, Rui Niu-Cooper

Michigan Reading Journal

Newcomer multilingual learners (MLs) often experience significant barriers to oral participation in secondary classrooms, despite the central role of talk in language development, academic learning, and community belonging. Research indicates that while comprehension skills may continue to develop, opportunities for structured oral expression are frequently limited, particularly in teacher-led instructional settings. This article examines how intentional Structured Student Talk (SST) routines can support newcomer MLs in transitioning from classroom silence to meaningful participation. Drawing on interactionist theories of language development, cognitive load theory, and affective filter research, the article argues that oral language must be explicitly scaffolded within content instruction …

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 1st Grade - National Holidays, Ania Calbough, Paola Cedeno, Danielle Linare

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Response Latency On Perceived Level Of Intelligence And Likability Of Autistic Speakers, Brinley Atkinson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how turn-taking latency and speaker or listener gender affect the perceived intelligence and likability of the speaker across autistic speakers. In addition, the overarching goal of this research is to help speech-language pathologists (SLPs) better provide support and strategies to autistic individuals to improve their social and professional lives. Neurotypical English speakers (20 male and 20 female) were recruited to listen to a series of conversational speech samples collected from a group of eight autistic adults (four male and four female). In each sample, autistic individuals responded to a series of everyday …

Relaxation Activities And The Effects Of Sleep Quality On High-Achieving Females, Kaitlynn Cusipag

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

The overall goal of this study was to help improve the sleep quality of high-achieving female high school students. This study’s goal was to determine whether the difficulty of crossword puzzles and coloring pages had an impact on sleep quality and stress levels. Sleep is crucial for the well-being and daily performance of teenagers

The Correlation Between Age, Perceived Success, And Prospective Time Judgements In Adolescence, Anna Parker

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

The expressions “a watched pot never boils” or “time flies when you’re having fun” are common expressions in day-to-day life, but the phenomenon of time perception is application in aspects all throughout life, including school years. The purpose of this study is to determine what effect, if any, the variables of age and success have on a younger population’s perception of time by examining the correlation between time judgements, feelings of success, and age. My hypotheses include that an increase in age and higher success scores will lead to greater accuracy, and that an increase in age and higher success …

A Practical Survival Guide For New Faculty, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Learning, Teaching, & Researching Optimization

This guide was written for faculty who are new to academic life — or who sometimes feel like they are drowning in it. You will not find technical jargon here. What you will find are honest descriptions of the traps most academics fall into, and clear, practical suggestions for getting out of them. Everything here is based on real research with real faculty — but you do not need to know the research to use the advice. Treat it as a menu: try what sounds useful, skip what does not fit your situation, and come back to it as your …

Machine Learning For Modeling In An Elementary Differential Equations Class, Nathan Albin, Andrew G. Bennett, Abhinav Chand

CODEE Journal

Mixing machine learning with modeling is an area of increasing importance. This paper presents a lesson where students model a spring-mass system both using traditional analysis with linear damping and using machine learning to learn the damping from real data. The machine learning is implemented in a Jupyter notebook hosted on Google Colab, allowing students to train the neural network without requiring the students to carry out coding. Students get experience with how machine learning can fail, how it can work, and the time and data requirements for machine learning to succeed, and are asked to apply this knowledge to …

Exploring Speaking Skills Among Upper-Secondary School Students In Rojava: A Qualitative Inquiry Of Challenges And Strategies, Civin Abdulrehman Segvan, Karwan Mustafa Saeed

The Qualitative Report

In Rojava region, the interplay between sociopolitical factors and educational infrastructures complicates the landscape of English language speaking skills development among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. This qualitative study explores the factors that hinder EFL students from developing their English-speaking skills. It primarily aimed at reporting teachers’ voices on the challenges in the context of Northeast Syria (NES) known as Rojava. To this end, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven EFL teachers and two English educational supervisors (EES) to explore the challenges facing students in the context of this study. Using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase thematic analysis, …

Dual Identification: How Organizational Culture Impacts Educational Access For Student With Intersecting Language & Dis/Ability Identities, Kara M. Piastrelli

Doctoral Dissertations

Educating multilingual learners (MLLs) in the K–12 setting has been, and continues to remain, a complex challenge. Students with intersecting language and dis/ability identities often face organizational barriers that interrupt equitable access to curriculum, language acquisition, and educational opportunities. While previous research has largely focused on racial disproportionality within special education, limited research has examined the intersection of multilingual learners within special education and the organizational systems that shape their educational experiences. This study sought to examine how organizational culture shapes the implementation and expression of institutional policies and practices related to multilingual learners with dis/abilities, specifically in relation to …

Faculty And Student Perspectives On Course Collaborations Within Communication Sciences And Disorders, Shanna R. Callewaert, Sarah M. Ginsberg

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The collaborative course (re)design (CCRD) process provides faculty and students with an opportunity to collaborate in partnership to redesign a course that the faculty teaches and that the student has previously taken. This process amplifies student voices and allows faculty to increase their understanding of students’ learning and experiences. However, barriers of CCRD, such as faculty members’ desires to retain decision-making control, students’ hesitations to share feedback, and logistical concerns, prevent many faculty and students from taking part in the process. This qualitative study sought to gain insight into the perspectives held by students and faculty in the communication sciences …