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Educating With Chronic Health Conditions During And After A Pandemic: A Narrative Study Of Experiences, Job-Related Stressors, Mental Health, Wellbeing And Coping Strategies Among Black Female Educators, Shawnee Stanfield Blake Jan 2026

Educating With Chronic Health Conditions During And After A Pandemic: A Narrative Study Of Experiences, Job-Related Stressors, Mental Health, Wellbeing And Coping Strategies Among Black Female Educators, Shawnee Stanfield Blake

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, narrative research study explored the experiences lived by black female educators with chronic health conditions during and after the Covid-19 pandemic in the Southeastern region of the United States. These educators provided continued instruction in a central Jackson, Mississippi school district and a Georgia school district in the central Atlanta metropolitan area. The investigation during this body of work focused on how black female educators with chronic health conditions were impacted both personally and professionally. The research also centered on how these educators employed coping strategies. Candidates endured fear, stress and continued impact on their health. To subject …

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A Case Study Of Why Mid-Career Teachers Stay In Education, Rachael E. Wilcox Jan 2026

A Case Study Of Why Mid-Career Teachers Stay In Education, Rachael E. Wilcox

Student Theses and Dissertations

The qualitative case study examined the lack of knowledge about a teacher's decision to stay in the profession, during a post-COVID time period, within St. Louis, MO metropolitan public schools, by answering three research questions: RQ1: What are the factors that mid-career teachers describe that influence their decisions to stay in the education profession despite the threats of burnout and other challenges? RQ2: How have individual retention factors impacted mid-career teachers’ decisions to stay in the profession despite difficulties? RQ3: How do mid-career teachers respond to working conditions in the education field? The study discovered four findings related to why …

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The Educational Leadership Trajectories Of Black Gay Males: A Narrative Inquiry, Abidemi Omowale Kayode Jan 2026

The Educational Leadership Trajectories Of Black Gay Males: A Narrative Inquiry, Abidemi Omowale Kayode

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the educational leadership trajectories of Black gay men (BGM) working in K-12 public schools. These BGM navigate identity-centered marginalization from school systems. Their leadership development is shaped by structural barriers, exclusive frameworks, and cultural expectations whether visible or invisible. This study addresses the scant literature in educational leadership around intersecting racial and sexual identities, and how this omission contributes to exclusionary and discriminatory trauma for BGM. These inequities are supported by heteronormative adult cultures, interpersonal dynamics, and policy. The consequences of these inequities are both political and professional as well as psychologically harmful and deeply personal. …

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Minding The Gap – Exploring Predictors Of Retention And Success For Minority Students In Online Classes At A Pbi, Erin Kathleen Gordon Jan 2026

Minding The Gap – Exploring Predictors Of Retention And Success For Minority Students In Online Classes At A Pbi, Erin Kathleen Gordon

Student Theses and Dissertations

Minority students at community colleges often face lower retention and success rates in online courses, a concern that is particularly critical at Predominantly Black Institutions. This study examines the issue of low retention and success among minority students enrolled in online courses at a two-year Predominantly Black Institution in Arkansas. These outcomes impact equity, institutional effectiveness, and funding, therefore making these issues a concern for students, faculty, and administrators. The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative study was to examine the predictive relationships between high school GPA and online percentage semester load with both retention and success in online classes for …

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Teacher Retention In West Tennessee: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study, Valeria Louise Walters Jan 2026

Teacher Retention In West Tennessee: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study, Valeria Louise Walters

Student Theses and Dissertations

Teacher attrition is a problem that results in inequities for students in urban contexts. This study investigated factors associated with teacher retention and compared these relationships between urban and suburban school districts using Mason and Matas’s Four Capital Theoretical Model of Teacher Retention. Using a cross-sectional, quantitative research design, data was collected through a survey distributed to 124 teachers in urban and suburban school districts in West Tennessee. Descriptive, correlational, comparative, and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between retention outcomes, teacher mindset, and four subdomains of school climate: collegial leadership, achievement press, institutional vulnerability, and professional …

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Teacher Perceptions Of The Motivational And Influential Strategies Of Their Principals, And That Effect On Teacher Retention, Carl Henry Semler Jan 2026

Teacher Perceptions Of The Motivational And Influential Strategies Of Their Principals, And That Effect On Teacher Retention, Carl Henry Semler

Student Theses and Dissertations

Teacher Perceptions of the Motivational and Influential Strategies of Their Principals, and that Effect on Teacher Retention This study explored the connections between perceived principal motivational and influential leadership strategies and their impact on teacher retention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 highly-qualified grades 9-12 teachers to gain insight through their perspectives of the experiences of principal leadership and how it influenced job satisfaction and teacher retention in culturally-diverse schools. Transformational Leadership Theory and Critical Race Theory were selected as the guiding framework for this study, which was best applied to comprehend the nature of the alignment between perceived principal …

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Preparation Of Novice Teachers In Special Education, Shayna Miles Jan 2026

Preparation Of Novice Teachers In Special Education, Shayna Miles

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the perceptions of ten novice special education teachers regarding their preparation for teaching in public school classrooms. Using Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) theory as a lens, the research reveals a mixed sense of preparedness among participants, who generally felt knowledgeable about core subject areas yet struggled to apply this knowledge effectively in practice. Key gaps were identified in their training, particularly concerning technical skills related to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and communication and collaboration with other educational stakeholders. Participants expressed challenges in accessing practical assessments and highlighted the need for further training in managing classroom …

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Perceptions Of Mentoring Relationships And Novice Teacher Self-Efficacy And Attrition, Renee Dunwoody Jan 2026

Perceptions Of Mentoring Relationships And Novice Teacher Self-Efficacy And Attrition, Renee Dunwoody

Student Theses and Dissertations

A study of over 400 new Level 1 licensed teachers in New Mexico found that mentorship relationships directly correlate to a teacher's self-efficacy and their likelihood of leaving the profession. The study surveyed traditionally trained and alternative licensure teachers employed in New Mexico and in their first 3 years of teaching. The results revealed that teachers who had high-quality relationships with their mentors, as scored on the Leader- Member Exchange 7 Questionnaire, had a stronger belief in their own self-efficacy and were less likely to consider leaving the teaching profession. In contrast, teachers who rated their mentors highly on the …

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Relationship Between High School Science Olympiad Participation And Declaration Of A College Stem Major, Gregory Lee Spiegel Jan 2026

Relationship Between High School Science Olympiad Participation And Declaration Of A College Stem Major, Gregory Lee Spiegel

Student Theses and Dissertations

Science Olympiad is a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competition open to middle school and high school students across the United States. Students that participate in Science Olympiad have the opportunity to explore and learn about cutting edge STEM topics in an atmosphere that promotes teamwork and opportunities to challenge themselves as they compete against other schools. This quantitative correlational study examined the relationship between participation in the Science Olympiad program and the decision to pursue a STEM-related major in college. Prior Science Olympiad participants were asked about their participation in Science Olympiad in secondary school and their current …

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A Qualitative Exploration Of The Factors Influencing The Academic Experiences Of African American Division I Collegiate Athletes In Mississippi, Deshannon Smith Jan 2026

A Qualitative Exploration Of The Factors Influencing The Academic Experiences Of African American Division I Collegiate Athletes In Mississippi, Deshannon Smith

Student Theses and Dissertations

African American collegiate athletes make up a large percentage of Division I athletic programs in Mississippi, particularly in high-revenue sports such as football and basketball. Despite access to strong coaching, facilities, and support services, African American collegiate athletes graduate at lower rates than their peers. The problem addressed in this study was the consistently low academic achievement among African American collegiate athletes in Division I athletic programs in Mississippi. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to investigate the lived experiences that contributed to the academic achievement of African American collegiate athletes in Division I athletic programs in …

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College Preparedness: Exploring Faculty Perceptions Of First-Year Students’ Literacy Skills Transitioning From High School, Shanell Glass Bailey Jan 2026

College Preparedness: Exploring Faculty Perceptions Of First-Year Students’ Literacy Skills Transitioning From High School, Shanell Glass Bailey

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study explores faculty perspectives on the literacy skills of incoming freshmen at small community colleges in southern Mississippi, where literacy challenges affect student success. The problem addressed is the preparedness of freshmen in reading and writing, which impacts their academic performance and development through college. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of faculty who teach entry-level English courses and to identify the support students need to succeed in literacy. Constructivist learning theory served as the guiding framework, emphasizing the ways prior knowledge, active engagement, and social interaction influence how students construct meaning …

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Planning And Implementing A Doctor Of Physical Therapy Degree Program: A Case Study, Allison Nicole Young Jan 2026

Planning And Implementing A Doctor Of Physical Therapy Degree Program: A Case Study, Allison Nicole Young

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions, challenges, and lessons learned by administrators, faculty, and staff who were involved in the development of a new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. This study was conducted at a private, non-profit institution in the southern United States. Faculty and administrators who are often tasked with planning and developing new programs demonstrate excellent clinical expertise and experience; however, they sometimes lack experience in higher education leadership. This leaves faculty with limited guidance and support for navigating accreditation, curriculum design, and assessment practices. This gap in the literature highlights …

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The Adverse Mental Health Effects Caused By Acculturative Stress And Its Influence On First- And Second-Year Immigrant Students In The United States, Sara Sparks Jan 2026

The Adverse Mental Health Effects Caused By Acculturative Stress And Its Influence On First- And Second-Year Immigrant Students In The United States, Sara Sparks

Student Theses and Dissertations

Relevant literature points out the adverse effects of acculturative stress, particularly on the mental health of immigrants. Recent studies also emphasize that immigrant students are academically behind their U.S.-born, native English-speaking peers. However, few studies explore how the adverse mental health effects of acculturative stress influence immigrants’ academic performance. This gap in literature is significant given the academic disparities. Applying Berry et al.’s (1987) acculturative stress conceptual framework, as well as Sirin et al.’s (2019) framework on the mental health outcomes caused by acculturative stress, research was conducted focusing on factors that cause acculturative stress, its mental health implications, and …

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Vertically Aligned Curriculum In The Rural Education Setting And Its Effect On Student Achievement, Jordan Palmer Jan 2026

Vertically Aligned Curriculum In The Rural Education Setting And Its Effect On Student Achievement, Jordan Palmer

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study examined vertical curriculum alignment in rural education settings and its impact on student achievement. Rural school districts in Missouri often lack cohesive curricula, leading to students’ lower performance on standardized tests compared to suburban areas. This situation hinders students' postsecondary readiness and sustains achievement gaps, especially affecting underserved rural populations. The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine whether a relationship exists between vertically aligned math curricula and student achievement in rural public schools. The study was guided by vertical curriculum alignment theory, which stresses a systematic content progression across grades, and critical theory, which highlights …

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Mississippi Teachers' Perspective Of Professional Learning Supports And Their Effects On Student Learning Outcomes When Implementing High-Quality Instructional Materials, Mandy Michael Johnson Jan 2026

Mississippi Teachers' Perspective Of Professional Learning Supports And Their Effects On Student Learning Outcomes When Implementing High-Quality Instructional Materials, Mandy Michael Johnson

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and describe the perspectives of Mississippi teachers on the professional learning support and outcomes associated with implementing high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) in their classrooms. Grounded in Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of cognitive development, this study surveyed eleven elementary teachers from a Mississippi school district to determine their perspectives on the professional learning support provided for an HQIM, based on their experiences, and its effects on student learning outcomes. After analyzing the data using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis method, it was concluded that teachers rely heavily on state-level literacy coaches for …

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Change Management In Higher Education: The Role Of Non-Academic Staff In The Change Process., Scott Robert Kuttenkuler Jan 2026

Change Management In Higher Education: The Role Of Non-Academic Staff In The Change Process., Scott Robert Kuttenkuler

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of non-academic staff regarding preparedness and response to significant institutional change within higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by Kotter’s (1995, 2012B) Change Model, the study examined how non-academic personnel perceived leadership effectiveness, readiness for change, and resistance to change amid an unprecedented disruption that reshaped higher education operations worldwide. Fifteen non-academic staff members employed at two-year colleges in the South-Central United States participated in semi-structured interviews designed to elicit in-depth, descriptive accounts of their experiences. Participants represented four primary functional areas—front-facing support, information technology, facilities …

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Why Black Teachers Decide To Stay: A Phenomenological Study To Understand Retention Of Black Teachers In The Suburban School Setting, Chere Swearingen Jan 2026

Why Black Teachers Decide To Stay: A Phenomenological Study To Understand Retention Of Black Teachers In The Suburban School Setting, Chere Swearingen

Student Theses and Dissertations

Retention rates of Black teachers in suburban schools are significantly lower than their White teacher counterparts. For Black teachers the assumption has always been that Black teachers wanted to teach in Urban schools who have a majority Black student makeup. This phenomenological study offers a counter-story to the commonly told narrative of Black teachers. Black teacher retention in the suburban locale was addressed with the intent to support a school system that is more reflective of student demographics. Utilizing aspects from both Job Embeddedness and Critical Race Theory, this study examined the lived experience of 8 Black teachers working in …

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The Role Of Athletic Department Staff And The Effects On Student-Athlete Persistence, Makenzie Brooke Mcgaha Jan 2026

The Role Of Athletic Department Staff And The Effects On Student-Athlete Persistence, Makenzie Brooke Mcgaha

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study is to determine what collegiate student-athletes believe contributes to their motivation to persist and achieve their goals as a student-athlete. In-person and virtual interviews were conducted using four student-athlete participants and four athletic staff participants. The data was then transcribed and evaluated using McClelland’s Need Theory (1961) for theme development. For student-athletes this included the importance of community, supports, and student-athlete identity. For athletic staff members this also included student-athlete community, supports, and unpreparedness. Overall, the findings of this study depict that there are supports, services, and athletic staff members that can impact student-athletes’ …

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K-3 Southern, Rural, Public-School Teachers’ Perspectives On Literacy Post Covid, Venesia Dreon Griffin Brown Jan 2026

K-3 Southern, Rural, Public-School Teachers’ Perspectives On Literacy Post Covid, Venesia Dreon Griffin Brown

Student Theses and Dissertations

Over the years, research has been undertaken to find what works to improve proficiency in literacy skills. However, most of the research has been done in urban areas. Therefore, the problem addressed in this study is K-3 literacy in southern, rural areas where students are below grade level and falling further behind, increasing the risk of student-drop out in their later years. The research is rooted in the interviews of 11 teachers in four states, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisianna, and Mississippi. They gave their perspectives and experiences on literacy education post Covid. Consequently, the purpose of the qualitative phenomenology study was …

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Examining The Influence Of Cultural Sameness Or Difference Of Principals And Teachers On Students Perceived Connectedness, Asmaa Fahmy Kabel Jan 2026

Examining The Influence Of Cultural Sameness Or Difference Of Principals And Teachers On Students Perceived Connectedness, Asmaa Fahmy Kabel

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study explores how cultural sameness or difference between students and their teachers and principals influences students’ perceived sense of belonging and connectedness to their school community. Drawing on Cultural Intelligence Theory (Earley & Ang, 2003) and Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1977), this study investigates the nuanced ways in which students internalize and interpret their relationships with school personnel, with attention to shared and differing cultural attributes beyond race alone. Twelve participants, all one to five years post–high school graduation from traditional public schools, were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire followed by …

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The Impact Of Applying For A Post-Secondary Opportunity When Coming From A Low Socioeconomic Status, David Marlow Price Jan 2026

The Impact Of Applying For A Post-Secondary Opportunity When Coming From A Low Socioeconomic Status, David Marlow Price

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of high school seniors attending a socioeconomically disadvantaged high school as they navigated the process of applying for postsecondary education. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 2001) and Achievement Motivation Theory (McClelland, 1968), the study examined the barriers and motivators influencing students’ pursuit of higher education. Despite national efforts to improve college access, significant gaps persist for students from low-income households due to limited financial resources, inadequate guidance, and minimal exposure to postsecondary options. The study was conducted at a rural high school in western Tennessee where …

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Stories From Former Foster Youth College Graduates: The Positive Impact Of K-12 Schooling And Related Educational Policy, Amanda Moon, Kristen D. Seay Jan 2026

Stories From Former Foster Youth College Graduates: The Positive Impact Of K-12 Schooling And Related Educational Policy, Amanda Moon, Kristen D. Seay

Faculty and Staff Publications

Youth in foster care face disproportionate challenges when it comes to education and personal well-being. Many studies use a deficit lens when evaluating these challenges. In contrast, this study is asset-based, centering first-person accounts from five former foster youth college graduates. Using a counter-narrative framework, we conducted semi-structured interviews with participants to reveal key supports in K-12 schooling participants believed helped them achieve academic and life milestones. These were relationships with teachers and coaches, access to extracurricular activities, and literacy-rich environments. We also reviewed 11 relevant federal educational policies to identify provisions and implementation needs that aligned with participant experiences. …

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Volume Cxlv, Number 10, January 23, 2026, Lawrence University Jan 2026

Volume Cxlv, Number 10, January 23, 2026, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

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The Impact Of Alternative Education Campuses Of Choice On A District’S Graduation Rate, Joshua Paul Gossett Jan 2026

The Impact Of Alternative Education Campuses Of Choice On A District’S Graduation Rate, Joshua Paul Gossett

Student Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study investigated how Alternative Education Campuses (AECs) are associated with high school graduation rates in Texas. Two research questions guided the study: (a) whether districts' five-year extended graduation rates differ five years before versus five years after establishing an AEC, and (b) whether four-year graduation rates differ between districts that offer AECs and those that do not. District-level, TEA-reported graduation rates were analyzed for five AEC-adopting districts for Research Question 1 and for eleven districts (five with AECs, six without) for Research Question 2. Analyses included paired-samples and independent-samples t tests, with multiple linear regression to corroborate group …

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The Influx Of Public-School Students In Private Schools And The Effects On The Classroom Management Strategies Used By Private School Teachers, James Moore Jan 2026

The Influx Of Public-School Students In Private Schools And The Effects On The Classroom Management Strategies Used By Private School Teachers, James Moore

Student Theses and Dissertations

In the current climate of expanding school choice, epitomized by Arkansas’s LEARNS Act, a significant number of students are transitioning from public to private schools. With policy debates centering on access and funding streams, the impact of this demographic shift remains critically underexplored by researchers. This interpretive phenomenological study addresses the significant gap that exists in examining the classroom management strategies and lived experiences of 12 private school teachers in Central Arkansas. The common misconception is that behavior may be the biggest challenge for teachers; however, findings indicate that the most significant challenge for students transitioning is the academic rigor. …

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Examining The Influence Of Principals’ Perceived Authentic Leadership And Teachers’ Psychological Capital On Teachers’ Burnout Syndrome And Turnover Intentions In Catalan Schools, Eduardo Torrecillas Sanchez Jan 2026

Examining The Influence Of Principals’ Perceived Authentic Leadership And Teachers’ Psychological Capital On Teachers’ Burnout Syndrome And Turnover Intentions In Catalan Schools, Eduardo Torrecillas Sanchez

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study was performed in the Spanish region of Catalonia. The purposes of the current study were fourfold: Firstly, the study explored whether authentic leadership, psychological capital, or burnout syndrome differed between teachers' genders or experiences. Secondly, the current study investigated whether aggregate measures and/or the dimensions of authentic leadership and psychological capital were associated with burnout syndrome. Third, this study examined whether burnout syndrome predicted turnover intentions. Lastly, this study examined whether authentic leadership moderates the relationship between psychological capital and burnout syndrome, as well as turnover intentions. The multidimensional Maslach’s theory of burnout was selected as the guiding …

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Investigating The Challenges That Black Female Superintendents Face While Navigating Local School Boards, Eric Dailey Jan 2026

Investigating The Challenges That Black Female Superintendents Face While Navigating Local School Boards, Eric Dailey

Student Theses and Dissertations

For the past twenty years, Black women have increasingly ascended to the role of school district superintendent. Black female superintendents navigate education systems that were not built with them in mind creating unique challenges. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate the challenges that Black female superintendents face while navigating local school boards. This study was informed by glass ceiling theory, gendered organizations theory, and a black feminist framework establishing a research base for this study’s focus. Eight Black female superintendents were interviewed using an interview protocol. This study reveals that Black female superintendents experience similar challenges …

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Exclusionary Discipline’S Impact On Minority And Low Social Status Student Achievement, Ulanda Latreace Branch Jan 2026

Exclusionary Discipline’S Impact On Minority And Low Social Status Student Achievement, Ulanda Latreace Branch

Student Theses and Dissertations

School discipline was intended to keep students safe in schools, but exclusionary discipline methods fail to meet this goal. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the impact of exclusionary discipline methods on student achievement, with an emphasis on ethnic and socioeconomic differences. The problem addressed how subjective referrals, cultural differences, unequal disciplinary tactics, and ineffective reprimands contribute to inequalities in disciplinary outcomes. Drawing on Glasser and Gordon's behavioral theoretical frameworks, this study emphasized proactive educational settings, effective classroom management, student accountability, and positive relationships as paramount to managing misbehavior. The study used a correlational research design, which …

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A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Kindergarten Teacher Perceptions Of Literacy Skills, Angela Shelton Jan 2026

A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Kindergarten Teacher Perceptions Of Literacy Skills, Angela Shelton

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored kindergarten teachers’ perceptions of the literacy skills of students from households with limited financial resources, compared to students who attended the universal preschool program located in District A with those who did not. The study addressed three research questions: 1. How do teachers perceive the literacy skills of these students? 2. How do teachers describe their experiences teaching literacy to these students? and 3. What resources or professional development do teachers identify as helpful in supporting literacy instruction? Semi-structured interviews with kindergarten teachers were conducted and analyzed to identify common themes. Participants reported that children …

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Factors Affecting Teacher Satisfaction At Two School Districts In North Carolina Post Covid-19 Pandemic, Thomas Young Jan 2026

Factors Affecting Teacher Satisfaction At Two School Districts In North Carolina Post Covid-19 Pandemic, Thomas Young

Student Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic caused an interruption to instruction for teachers and students across the United States and left educators unsure of the future as they returned to in-person classes. This phenomenological qualitative study concluded on the lived experiences of middle school teachers in two North Carolina districts to help uncover the reasons why they are satisfied or dissatisfied with their jobs after returning to the classroom since the pandemic. Inspired by Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory, this research investigated the extent to which working conditions influence teacher morale, retention, and job satisfaction. Fourteen teachers of various subject areas, years of experience and …

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