Digital Commons Network^™

Adapting Phonological Awareness To Support Emergent English Language Learners', Hannah L. Zywicki

Graduate Teacher Education

This paper examines how phonological awareness instruction can be adapted to better support emergent English language learners (ELLs) in their early literacy development. As classrooms become more diverse, traditional instruction designed for monolingual English-speaking students may not fully address the needs of ELLs. This study explores research to understand how phonological awareness develops in ELLs and how instructional approaches can be better adapted to support their literacy development. This literature review is organized into three overarching themes with the use of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research studies. The first theme is developmental differences between ELLs and monolingual students. The …

Taking Control Of Middle School Behavior: A Structured Approach To Classroom Management In A 7th-Grade Honors English Classroom, Hanna D. Pritchard

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

This research examined a classroom management structure used at the middle school level. It aimed to analyze the teacher’s and students’ perceptions on the protocol, and to evaluate the role of structure and the perceived impact on student behavior. The framework contained a series of strategies, such as noise level charts and positive reinforcement. Research took place in a RLA classroom, observing three seventh-grade honors class periods. The study occurred over four weeks, but the implementation began at the start of school. The research analyzed a survey given to students, a series of interviews with students and the teacher, and …

Spring Commencement, 2026, Marshall University

Marshall University Commencement

Program for the Commencement of Marshall University, Saturday, May 9, 2026 held at the Mountain Health Arena in Huntington, West Virginia.

Rural Appalachian Tennessee Secondary Public School Teachers' Perceptions Of Instructional Coaching, Timothy Darell Anderson

Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore the perceptions of secondary public school teachers in rural Appalachia, Tennessee, regarding how instructional coaching influenced their self-efficacy based on Bandura’s (1997) theory of self-efficacy. I examined teachers’ lived experiences with instructional coaching within the unique context of rural Appalachia. I collected data through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with teachers across multiple rural districts in the rural Appalachian region of Tennessee. I followed Yin’s (2018) case study approach, employing coding and thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns. My findings revealed that instructional coaching strengthened teacher self-efficacy by fostering trust, …

The Role Of Teacher Education Programs In Shaping Tennessee Novice Secondary Social Studies Teachers’ Civic Education Ideologies, Clarence Dean Burress

Ed.D. Dissertations

Researchers documented how American students often received minimal exposure to democratic knowledge and practices necessary for meaningful civic participation, particularly justice-oriented civic learning. Teachers played a central role in shaping civic instruction, as their civic beliefs and ideologies, personally responsible, participatory, or justice-oriented, influenced how civic content was interpreted and enacted in classrooms. Prior research on civic education ideologies focused largely on preservice teachers or veteran educators. Accordingly, this interpretive qualitative study explored how teacher education programs influenced the civic education ideologies of novice secondary social studies teachers in Tennessee, as framed by the typologies of personally responsible, participatory, and …

Impact On Social-Emotional Development When Play-Based Learning Is Integrated Into Curriculum And Practice, Meghan Heller

Graduate Teacher Education

This paper examines the impact on social-emotional development when play-based learning is integrated into curriculum and practice. Play-based learning is widely accepted as best practice in early childhood education. Social-emotional learning provides the foundation for student success, equipping them with lifelong skills. Scholarly, peer-reviewed articles were analyzed to interpret the correlation between play-based learning and social-emotional development. The studies selected were published between 2013 and 2026 and selected based on their relevance to the topic of how social-emotional development is affected by play-based learning strategies. The findings of these articles indicate a strong correlation between play-based learning and the development …

Enhancing K-2 Teacher Effectiveness In Reading Instruction: An Improvement Inquiry Into The Roles Of Self-Efficacy, Growth Mindset, And Evidence-Based Practices, Kellie F. Dawson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School districts across the United States have increasingly adopted structured literacy initiatives in response to growing concerns about early reading outcomes and policy mandates grounded in the science of reading. Despite substantial investments in professional development, less is known about how teachers experience implementation demands within authentic classroom contexts. This improvement study examined how evidence-based professional development influenced K–2 teachers’ self-efficacy, the barriers teachers encountered during structured literacy implementation, and the supports teachers perceived as most critical for sustained instructional change within Eagle Stone School District.

Grounded in Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory and Dweck’s Mindset Theory, this qualitative study explored teachers’ …

Beyond Cough Drops And Band-Aids: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study Of Certified School Nurses’ Professional Scope And Enacted Roles In Pk–12 Settings, Brandy Gershon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative dissertation explored the underutilization of certified school nurses (CSNs) in PK–12 educational settings across urban, suburban, and rural school districts in western Pennsylvania. Despite their advanced preparation and wide-ranging scope of practice, school nurses are often limited to providing episodic care, including first aid, medication administration, and treatment of minor injuries. This limited use reflects a significant misalignment with their professional scope of practice, which encompasses chronic disease management, health education, mental health support, care coordination, and leadership in public health. Guided by role theory (Biddle, 1986), this study examined how school nurses perceived and interpreted their professional …

2026 Spring - Commencement Program, Office Of The Registar, East Tennessee State University

ETSU Commencement Ceremonies and Programs

No abstract provided.

Technology In Waldorf Education: Benefits, Challenges, And The Teacher's Role, Jennifer C. Larson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Historically considered a screen-free education, Waldorf pedagogy has gradually begun to integrate digital technology into the middle and upper grades over the last two decades. Research on the implications of extended screen time for children has driven this pedagogical decision alongside foundational commitments to relational practices, experiential learning, and imaginative artistry.

At the same time, recent years have marked an acceleration in digital expansion in education. COVID-19 normalized teaching and learning through remote learning platforms, and digital access is now an expected feature of daily life.  As Waldorf education seeks to offer holistic education in the context of this societal …

The Impact Of Diverse Literature On Empathy, Paige Hosley

Graduate Teacher Education

This Capstone Paper examined the role of diverse literature in supporting the development of students’ empathy across educational contexts. While literature had traditionally been used to build reading skills, its function in fostering social-emotional learning (SEL) had become increasingly significant in diverse classrooms. A review of 15 quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies spanned primary through university settings across the world, including the United States, Kazakhstan, India, Canada, Israel, and Korea. These studies provided consistent findings across varied cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic populations, although some may have not been as reliable due to the complex nature of empathy. The research demonstrated …

Becoming A "Still Point Of Grace": Identifying Obstacles Faced By Catholic Elementary School Teachers In Meeting The Needs Of Students With Generalized Anxiety In The Classroom, Kerry Smigielski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the midst of a mental health crisis in the United States, teachers in the Diocese of Cityville need to be equipped to serve elementary students who experience anxiety within an authentic Catholic context. The purpose of this study is to begin improvement research on classroom supports for students with generalized anxiety in the Diocese of Cityville elementary schools. Journey lines and a focus group discussion were conducted within a causal systems analysis to respond to the central research question: “What obstacles do Catholic elementary school teachers in the Diocese of Cityville face in meeting the needs of students with …

Teacher And Administrator Perceptions Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports In Rural Arkansas Elementary Schools, David B. Byers

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

Schools and educators are facing more behavioral issues than ever before from students. In rural schools, the disadvantage is even greater due to limited resources and funding. These behaviors start in elementary school and left unabated, progress. Effective methods to combat these behaviors are in great demand. This study suggests that PBIS methods are an effective tool for schools to utilize. Five teachers and a principal from five different rural elementary schools were interviewed to analyze their perceptions of PBIS usage in their schools. Transcripts were transcribed using Otter.ai and analyzed to identify deductive and inductive codes. These codes led …

A Phenomenological Examination Of Principal Leadership Practices In Arkansas High-Performing Middle And High Schools, Zondria R. Campbell

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the leadership practices of Arkansas secondary school principals in schools that received an “A” rating outlined by the state’s grading system for schools. Grounded in the instructional and distributed leadership theory, this study sought to explore principals’ lived experiences and the strategies that influenced high levels of student achievement.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight principals that met the criteria to participate in the study. Interviews were held virtually, and the discussions were recorded and transcribed for analysis. This approach allowed the researcher to identify patterns and key themes across participants through thematic coding.

The …

The Impact Of Proactive Preventive Practices And Targeted Behavioral Interventions In Early Childhood Education, Amy B. Kimball

Graduate Teacher Education

Increasing challenges with classroom dysregulation and the negative long-term effects of exclusionary discipline created a critical need for proactive, evidence-based alternatives. This paper addressed this gap by examining how proactive preventive practices and targeted behavioral interventions affected social-emotional learning and well-being in early childhood. To achieve this, a synthesis of twenty peer-reviewed sources was conducted, including longitudinal studies and randomized controlled trials that evaluated the Pyramid Model and the Second Step curriculum. Findings revealed that universal Tier 1 supports established a necessary foundation for all learners, while targeted interventions served as essential cognitive bridges for students with persistent challenges. Furthermore, …

The Role Of Trauma-Informed Play In Supporting Resilience And Emotional Regulation In Early Childhood, Angela C. Burnett

Graduate Teacher Education

This Capstone Paper examined the impact of trauma-informed, play-based learning on resilience and emotional regulation in preschool and kindergarten-aged children. The purpose of the literature review was to explore how play, when grounded in developmentally appropriate, brain-based, and relational practices, supported emotional regulation and adaptive coping in young children who had experienced adversity. A review of 16 scholarly, peer-reviewed studies from multiple countries, including the United States, China, Canada, Germany, Zambia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, was conducted, incorporating qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research, as well as case studies, quasi-experimental interventions, and correlational analyses. Evidence from the literature indicated that play …

Funding & Resource Adequacy In Mississippi Head Start Programs: Perspectives From The Field, Anna Carlisle Nichols

Honors Theses

Head Start plays a vital role in supporting children from low-income families by providing comprehensive early education, health, nutrition, and family support services. Decades of research demonstrate that participation in Head Start improves cognitive development, social-emotional skills, and long-term educational outcomes. However, a growing body of research suggests that Head Start funding may be insufficient to fully meet the needs of eligible children, raising concerns about program capacity, staffing, and service quality, particularly in high-poverty states that provide no direct state supplemental funding, like Mississippi. This study examines the extent to which Mississippi’s Head Start programs have the resources necessary …

Beyond Tokenism: Shared Power And Youth Voice In Youth Mentoring Nonprofits: A Phenomenologically Informed Case Study, Sheila E. Adams

Doctorate in Education

Youth mentoring nonprofit organizations are increasingly emphasizing the importance of centering youth voice in program design and evaluation. However, a persistent gap remains between organizational commitments and the authentic integration of youth voice. More specifically, this gap extends to the degree to which youth perspectives meaningfully influence decision-making. This disconnect limits youth influence, contributes to disengagement, and reinforces adult-centered systems that shape whose knowledge is considered actionable. Although youth voice is widely recognized as essential, organizations continue to face significant barriers. These include adult-centered organizational systems, funding and compliance pressures, and limited capacity to translate feedback into action. Under these …

Teaching Sex Education In Mississippi: A Qualitative Study Of School Practices And Perspectives, Kathryn E. Wildman

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the implementation of sex education policy in Mississippi, a state with persistently high rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Although House Bill 999 (2011) mandates sex education in public schools, limited research has explored how this policy is enacted in practice. Drawing on qualitative interviews with high school educators, school nurses, and representatives from community-based organizations, this study investigates how sex education is delivered, how educators are prepared, and how social and institutional factors shape classroom instruction.

The findings identify four central themes: substantial variation in implementation across school districts, inconsistent and often insufficient teacher …

Exploring The Stress Coping Strategies Of Indonesian Elementary School Teachers: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Anak Agung Gede Agung, I Ketut Gading, Basilius Redan Werang, Ni Luh Putu Agetania

The Qualitative Report

Teachers play a pivotal role in delivering quality education and shaping students’ future lives. The growing demands and responsibilities on teachers can lead to physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion, which threatens their well-being—a condition commonly referred to as work stress. Our study aimed to explore the strategies used by elementary school teachers in Bali Province to cope with work-related stress. This study adopts a qualitative research approach with elementary schools in Bali Province, Indonesia, serving as the research setting. A phenomenological research design was employed, involving 25 purposively selected teachers as participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed …

Resilience In Place Names: German-Hehe War Memories And Cultural Identity In Iringa Toponyms, Claudio G. Kisake, Sophilini M. Yisega, Spemba E. Spemba

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Toponyms, or place names, act as vital markers of historical memory, cultural identity and resilience. In Iringa, Tanzania, toponymy offers valuable insights into the enduring impacts associated with the German-Hehe War (1890–1898), and colonial encounters on indigenous communities. This study explores how place names—such as Kitanzini (‘a place with a noose for hanging people’), Ilundamatwe or Lundamatwe (‘a collection of slaughtered heads’), and Gangilonga (‘the speaking stone’)—convey narratives of Hehe war superiority, resistance, and survival. Using a qualitative approach, the research incorporates archival sources, oral histories, and linguistic analysis to investigate the stories behind naming and renaming, the role of …

Historical Markers: Making History Relevant, Dr. Abigail Dutcher

The Great Lakes Social Studies Journal

Pre-service teachers often view the Civil War as a distant, regionally isolated event with little relevance to their own lives, particularly in northern states. This perception presents a challenge in social studies methods courses, where engagement with complex historical issues is essential. This paper explores how local historical markers can reposition the Civil War as a lived and local history rather than a remote national narrative. Drawing on instructional practice in a Methods of Teaching Social Studies course aligned with InTASC and Indiana REPA standards, the article examines the integration of a Frederick Douglass-related historical marker in Indiana to foster …

In Response To Children’S Literature, Fourth-Grade Students Interview A Vietnam War Veteran Through Distance Learning, Danielle L. Defauw, Gordon Bourland

The Great Lakes Social Studies Journal

This study explores virtual, student–author interviews fourth-grade students led with Vietnam Veteran, [VETERAN] in response to the following three picture books: Eve Bunting’s (1992) The Wall, Walter Dean Myer’s (2005) Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam, and Jeanne Walker Harvey’s (2017) Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines. The opportunity to interview a Vietnam veteran motivated students to read the picture books, craft questions for [VETERAN], and engage in the interview process. Ultimately, this article supports reader-response pedagogy to include virtual or in-person student–specialist interviews with guest speakers to motivate literacy engagement.

Evaluating Sources In The Age Of Ai And Misinformation: Practical Routines For Social Studies Classrooms, Viloshinee Murugan Ph.D

The Great Lakes Social Studies Journal

As students encounter information through search engines, social media, and AI-generated content, evaluating sources has become more complex and essential in social studies classrooms. Research shows that students struggle to judge credibility, trace claims to evidence, and recognize how context, authorship, and purpose shape information. This article argues that these challenges are not the result of student apathy or inability, but of limited opportunities to practice evaluative reasoning as a routine disciplinary habit. Drawing on scholarship in disciplinary literacy and civic reasoning, as well as nearly three decades of practitioner experience, the article presents practical instructional routines, sample mini-lessons, and …

Ai-Enhanced Digital Exhibits As Inquiry-Driven Civic Practice In The Great Lakes Region, Erik Kormos

The Great Lakes Social Studies Journal

This article presents a pedagogical framework for using AI-enhanced digital exhibits to support inquiry-based civic learning in the Great Lakes region. Students investigate meaningful community questions, use AI tools strategically for research and analysis, and create public-facing exhibits that develop civic reasoning and agency. The framework addresses grade-band applications (K–12) and emphasizes equity, ensuring all students, regardless of school funding, develop AI literacy and access authentic civic inquiry opportunities. The article articulates essential ethical considerations including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and teacher mediation, and provides a practical implementation framework for educators. Drawing on research in place-based education and inquiry learning, …

Examining The Learns Act And Its Effect On Teachers' Pursuit Of Advanced Degrees In Arkansas, Demetre Calhoun

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

The focus of this study was to examine the relationship between the Arkansas LEARNS Act and public-school teachers’ choices on their intent to pursue an advanced degree. The results provide insight into the potential impact of changes to the salary structure and financial incentives for completion of an advanced degree and the implications for teachers, school districts, and higher education programs.

The results indicated that while salary considerations were significant factors for teachers in their thinking about advanced degree completion, professional goals and career plans for teachers were ultimately the guiding factors. This suggests that compensation reform will not sufficiently …

Perceptions And Experiences Of The Mentees And Mentors Of The Arkansas Superintendents Mentoring Program From 2020-2025, Joshua R. Shepherd

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

This qualitative phenomenological study examines the perceptions and experiences of mentees and mentors participating in the Arkansas Superintendent Mentoring and Induction Program from 2020 to 2025. As the role of the school superintendent has evolved into a complex orchestration of political, managerial, and instructional leadership, new administrators stepping into the role of the superintendent face significant challenges. This study explored the effectiveness of the program’s curriculum and the impact of the mentoring relationship.

Data analysis revealed six major themes, highlighting that the program serves as a critical emotional and professional lifeline that bridges the gap between theoretical preparation and the …

The Legacy Of Lead: Lead Exposure's Harmful Effects And Its Concentration In Poc Communities, Layla Sophronia Barber

Student Theses 2015-Present

This thesis examines the disproportionate burden of lead exposure carried by low income, POC communities. The systemic nature of this problem is a symptom of a longstanding legacy of environmental injustice in the United States. Decades of federal neglect are reflected in the higher statistics of lead exposure and poisoning in predominantly black communities. While it is understood that lead exposure poses a serious threat to physical health and early cognitive development, there is a discouraging lack of urgency to remove the toxin from non-wealthy communities. The material covered by this thesis aims to identify and correct the discriminatory social …

Exploring Student And Teacher Perceptions Of Building Thinking Classrooms In Secondary Mathematics, Savanna Wolff

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

This action research study examined the perceived impact of a Building Thinking Classrooms framework on student engagement and participation in small-group discussion. The guiding research question explored both student and teacher perceptions of how the framework influenced classroom engagement. Data was collected through surveys, one-on-one interviews, focus group interviews, and classroom observations over a four-week period. Qualitative analysis identified four key themes: student agency and mathematical identity; mathematical communication and thinking; collaboration and group dynamics; and learning environment, structure, and engagement. Findings suggest that both students and the teacher perceived an increase through Building Thinking Classrooms in student engagement by …

Understanding Our Emotional Gatekeepers: A Qualitative Study Of Teacher Attrition In Diverse Catholic Schools, Lionel Garcia

LMU Theses and Dissertations

In the post-pandemic era, educators in Catholic schools in diverse communities serve as emotional gatekeepers, vital social justice agents who act as the final filter between vulnerable students and a landscape of poverty, immigration fears, and digital disinformation. This study centers the voices of these highly capable educators to investigate the factors that led to their departure from the profession despite a strong vocational commitment. By listening to the stories of eight former teachers through narrative inquiry, the researcher identifies the specific factors that led to the teachers’ departures. The findings reveal that the decision to leave is driven by …