Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Kindergarten Readiness, Aileen Z. Chavarin-Beleche

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many parents of young children are unaware of successful ways to prepare their child for Kindergarten. Without preparation, children might struggle in their daily academics and fall behind their peers. Parents who learn more about Kindergarten readiness are more likely to create structured learning environments and help their child build skills to successfully transition to Kindergarten. In order to address this need, I have created a one-hour presentation for parents of children attending the Cabrillo College Children Center and Lab School in Aptos, California.

What We Want The Decision Makers To Know About First-Generation College Student Success: Insights From Students’ Perspectives, Monique N. Legendre

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

One-third of all undergraduates in the U.S. are first-generation college students (FGCS) (Center for First-Generation Student Success, 2020). Due to barriers such as inequitable access to rigorous college preparatory programs and coursework, limited resources and access to college and career counseling, financial constraints, and a lack of college knowledge such as the expectations, norms, and language of higher education, FGCS often arrive less prepared for college than continuing-generation students, impacting first-generation student success and persistence in post-secondary education (Broadhurst et al., 2023; Campoverdi, 2023; Cataldi et al., 2018; Hamilton et al., 2016; Katrevich & Aruguete, 2017; Osborne, 2023; Pratt et …

Dungeons And Dragons As Game-Based Learning, Moses Allen

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

This phenomenological qualitative study explored the use of the Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) Role-Playing Game as a Game-Based Learning (GBL) model, measuring middle school student perceptions of engagement, motivation, and skill development through interactive storytelling. The study used a Practitioner Research theoretical framework and Thematic Analysis to identify emergent themes from the collected data. The study included gameplay of D&D after school with a small group of participants grades 6-8. Results indicated that participants reported consistently high levels of motivation and engagement. Participants perceived that D&D gameplay promoted the development of 21st Century Skills and middle school curricula skills, specifically …

Technology-Supported Literacy Instruction In Elementary Classrooms (K-5): Perspectives Of Student Teachers In Western Kentucky, Ila B. Shirrell

Honors College Theses

The use of technology in elementary classrooms (kindergarten–fifth grade) has increased significantly with the goal of enhancing instruction. Additionally, educational technology is being used to improve literacy skills, reading recovery, and comprehension. This study examined how technology supports literacy development and instruction in elementary classrooms by drawing upon the perspectives of current student teachers. Student teachers from Murray State University, placed in third through fifth grade classrooms in Western Kentucky, were interviewed. The interviews assessed how technology was used for literacy instruction, including the extent of its effectiveness and potential challenges. Responses were transcribed and analyzed. The themes of evidence-based …

Mississippi Early Childhood Math Resource Guide: Supporting Mathematical Development From Birth Through Age Eight, Melissa Luckett, Systems Change Lab, Mississippi State University, Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University

Books

The Mississippi Early Childhood Math Resource Guide is a comprehensive, research-informed digital publication designed to support the development of foundational mathematical skills in children from birth through age eight. Developed by the Systems Change Lab at Mississippi State University's Social Science Research Center, the guide translates evidence-based early mathematics concepts into practical, accessible strategies for educators, families, and caregivers. 

Organized by developmental stages, the guide integrates learning domains, age-appropriate math skills, and everyday instructional practices to promote the use of "math talk" and embedded learning opportunities across settings. It incorporates activities, instructional strategies, and resources aligned to support both formal …

Educator Perception Of Principal Leadership For Developing Teacher Self-Efficacy In Inclusive Education, Jessica L. Jones

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study explored general education teacher perceptions of the most impactful principal leadership actions for developing teacher self-efficacy for the education of students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms and schools. An Inclusive Leadership Practices survey was developed by the researcher using qualitative research from Whybrew (2018), the Essential Best Practices in Inclusive Schools Tool (Jorgensen et al., 2012), and leadership research by Hitt and Tucker (2016). General education teachers with experience teaching students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms who chose to participate in this study completed the survey as a measure of their perceptions on inclusive leadership practices. They …

We Are Still Here: A Narrative Inquiry Examining The Experiences Of Black Women Chief Diversity Officers At Historically White Institutions, Jasmin M. Robinson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of Black women serving as CDOs in higher education institutions to understand their unique challenges, opportunities, and contributions as diversity leaders. The study uses a narrative inquiry approach, comprising of in-depth, semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis to understand how six Black women CDOs lead DEI efforts at historically White institutions, what their identities mean to them, and the lessons learned along the way. Eight core themes emerged from the findings addressing institutional commitment to DEI, institutional perceptions of CDOs, chief diversity officer responsibilities, how Black women understand their race and gender, how …

Application Of The Mattering Model By Generation In The Context Of Teacher Retention In Indiana K-12 Schools, Byron C. Sanders Ii

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

When teachers see their actions as significant and recognize they would be missed if they were gone, they realize the significance of their individual impact (Wilfong & Donlan, 2024). Understanding what matters to teachers is an important factor in the process of teacher retention. This study examined the difference in four generations of Indiana K-12 teachers against the eight elements of mattering identified by Dr. Shelly Wilfong (2021). A survey instrument utilized the Foundational Elements of Mattering Survey for K-12 Teachers (Wilfong & Donlan, 2024) and the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale survey (1966a), and it was taken by …

The Impact Of Community On Professional Identity In Computer Science Education, Ian A. Kollipara

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis explores the application of Communities of Practice (CoPs) in Computer Science Education. The work consists of two qualitative studies examining related but distinct populations: (1) K–12 CS teachers and (2) undergraduate CS students. The first study presents a retrospective analysis of conneCTION, an online CoP for K–12 CS educators, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and design considerations that inform future platform development. The second study investigates how participation in a CoP can mitigate negative and exclusionary stereotypes in CS. This study was conducted in an under-explored context: a small, private, religious, Midwestern university, and examines an existing community, the Programming …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Second-Career Educators, Kyle Avink

Dissertations

School districts across the United States face a persistent teacher shortage driven by high attrition rates, declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs, and increasing demands on educators (Carver-Thomas & Darling-Hammond, 2017). Teacher attrition is especially high within the first three to five years, with nearly 40-50% of new teachers exiting within their first five years (Carver-Thomas & Darling-Hammond, 2017; Cells et al., 2023; Gray et al., 2015; Ingersoll et al., 2025). In response, many states have expanded alternative certification pathways that allow professionals from other fields to enter teaching, making second-career educators a potential solution to workforce challenges (Afacan, 2022; …

Agents Of Agency: Identifying Teacher Traits And Trainings Associated With Promoting Student Agency, Clara Mateo

Dissertations

This study shifts the focus of mathematics teacher quality from the traditional metric of test scores to “student agency,” defined as a learner's capacity to access power, make decisions, and take ownership of their learning process. While the literature on student agency provides ample qualitative insights, it is largely composed of small-scale studies. This research addresses this gap by conducting a large-scale, nationwide quantitative analysis to identify teacher factors associated with the promotion of student agency. The central research question is: What teacher demographics, dispositions, and professional development experiences are associated with increased student agency?

This study used a cross-sectional …

Listening To Those Who Stay: Support Systems Influencing Special Education Teacher Retention, Carol Jean Dawson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Retention among special education teachers is a constant challenge across the country. Educators in these positions often have heavy workloads, emotionally demanding responsibilities, and complex caseloads leading to burnout and high turnover rates. Despite these challenges, most of them persevere in the field for extended periods, which indicate that robust and effective support systems are essential to aiding their commitment. In examining this phenomenon, this qualitative study focused on the lived experiences of six special education teachers who worked in the same school setting for a minimum of five years with the aim of identifying support structures that affect motivation, …

The Impact Of Career And Technical Education Teacher Certification Preparation Programs On Student Industry-Based Certification Examinations, Kaneesha Chameka Celestin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are designed to prepare students for high-wage, high-demand industry jobs. However, there is limited research on Career and Technical Education teacher preparation programs (traditional, alternative, and industry-based) and the impact on student outcomes on industry-based examinations, such as ACT WorkKeys. This quantitative study analyzed Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher preparation programs (traditional, alternative, and industry-based) and 12th -grade students’ outcomes on the 2023-2024 ACT WorkKeys examination and whether relationships exist between the two. Additionally, the research examined each Career and Technical Education teacher certification preparation program individually to determine the differences among traditional, …

Why Do Teachers Leave? Investigating Teacher Attrition In A New Orleans Charter School: A Qualitative Phenomenological Case Study, Carlos J. Machuca Rivera

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological case study was to investigate the lived experiences of former teachers who worked at Goodlife Academy (GLA), a charter school in New Orleans, Louisiana, between 2019 and 2025, with particular attention to how teachers experienced job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction and how those experiences influenced their decisions to leave Teacher attrition—defined as educators leaving their school or the profession—has been associated with factors such as burnout, inadequate support, low compensation, and persistent challenges in addressing achievement gaps. Although these factors are well documented in the literature, many existing studies rely on quantitative methods and focus …

The Influence Of Intervention Strategies On Students With Disabilities Who Exhibit Challenging Behaviors In Rural Public Schools: Teacher Perceptions, Ben B. Robertson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological qualitative study addressed rural teachers' perceptions of the influence of intervention strategies on students with disabilities who exhibit challenging behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ perceptions of the effect of intervention strategies on academic achievement, student behavior outcomes, and teacher self-efficacy through the lens of Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. This theory is a complex, dynamic interaction among people, their behaviors, and their environments. Data collection included 14 individual interviews, conducted on Zoom with educators from one school district in Southern Virginia, including seven general education teachers and seven special education teachers. Data analysis strategies …

“Do We Belong?”: Supporting Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Students Through Teacher Education, Morohunkeji Orija

All Dissertations

The population of students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds in K-12 education continues to increase, yet the teacher workforce remains largely homogeneous, predominantly White. This imbalance creates a cultural mismatch in educational settings. In teacher education, predominantly White teacher educators prepare predominantly White preservice teachers, further increasing this mismatch. In early childhood education (ECE), which spans birth to 8 years, racial mismatch can lead to misunderstandings and misconceptions, contributing to bias and manifesting as Racial Microaggressions (RMAs). RMAs are mostly unintentional, and research is needed to examine how preservice teachers can identify and address them, given their impact on …

Cultivating Digital Belonging: A Phenomenological Study Of Black Male Students’ Experiences In A Title Three Online Student Support Hub, June Paulette Rogers

Education Doctorate Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study examined how Black male students at a public community college experienced digital belonging through a Title Three–funded Online Student Support Hub. Instead of focusing on broad institutional outcomes, the study centered on students' personal experiences. It investigated how students felt seen by staff, how relevant cultural references were integrated, and how quickly and thoughtfully the institution responded. Data came from nine participants through semi-structured interviews, reflective journals, and review of key documents. Through analysis, the study identified four key themes: building personal relationships, obstacles and feelings of separation, efforts to make digital support more personal, and …

Teaching Through A Cultural Lens: A Practitioner’S Self-Study On Fostering Science Engagement Among Latina/O And African American Middle School Students, Michelle R. Estrada-Quezada

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Latina/os and African American students are underrepresented in STEM fields and STEM majors. Participation in STEM related activities and course work dwindles over the course of K-16 schooling, a phenomenon known as the leaky pipeline. Culturally relevant teaching is one practice that has been found to increase engagement and academic success among underrepresented student populations. This research project aims to study the impact of culturally relevant science teaching on the teacher and the students through a semester-long self- study in an eighth-grade middle school classroom. Data sources included daily reflection journals, critical friend debrief sessions with an advisor, student pre- …

Teacher's Efficacy In Fostering A Sense Of Belonging In Newcomer Adolescent Students, Brenda Melendrez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Schools are continuously serving a growing population of newcomer students that face unique social, cultural, and linguistic barriers (McCabe et al., 2024). Newcomer adolescent students experience additional challenges in high school contexts, due to the academic pressures, developmental changes, and social isolation hindering their sense of belonging (Fabris et al., 2024). Teachers play a central role in fostering belonging through teacher-student relationships, daily interactions, and academic and emotional support (Ozdemir & Ozdemir, 2020). However, teachers have reported limited teacher preparation on fostering belonging among newcomer students, impacting their confidence and ability to support their students (Motitswe, 2025). Teachers have specifically …

Why So Few? Sense-Making The Latino Librarian’S Place In The Hispanic-Serving Institution: A Phenomenological Approach, Valentin Macias Jr.

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Despite record Latinx student enrollment across California's higher education systems, Latino men remain severely underrepresented in academic librarianship, comprising less than 0.5% of librarians nationally. This persistent gap represents a critical equity issue within a profession that increasingly serves diverse student populations. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of twelve Latino male academic library professionals at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) through in-depth interviews to understand the factors shaping their professional identity, the barriers they encounter, and what sustains their persistence in the profession. Using transcendental phenomenology as the methodological approach and Critical Race Theory as the theoretical framework, the study …

Building Bridges: Evaluating Teacher Preparation And Program Activation Of Ethnic Studies In California’S K-12 High Schools Through An Autoethnography, Jose Aguilera-Lopez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study examines the lived experiences of secondary Social Science educators teaching Ethnic Studies in the early stages of program activation, with particular attention to the challenges that are often invisible to policymakers, institutions of higher education, and K-12 school districts. Using an autoethnographic approach, the research examines key elements of Ethnic Studies Program Activation, including infrastructure support, capacity building, professional development led by experienced Ethnic Studies practitioners, and teaching with fidelity. The findings aim to provide actionable guidance for educators and district leaders to support new Ethnic Studies teachers at the secondary level and to inform leadership teams at …

At The Intersection Of Policy, Mission, And Student Needs: How New Mexico Higher Education Professionals Make Transfer Decisions, Roberto P. Vasquez

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

Transfer is a critical step for community college students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, yet it remains a complex and inconsistent process. Transfer research highlights tensions related to student experience, institutional mission, and state transfer policy that higher education decision-makers must navigate.

This qualitative study examined how New Mexico higher education decision-makers experience these tensions in practice. Using narrative inquiry, thematic analysis was conducted on interviews with purposively selected decision-makers. Decision-maker stories were interpreted through a Critical Leadership Theory lens, examining how power, discretion, and institutional context shape transfer practices.

Findings indicate that policy is unevenly enacted, with institutional discretion significantly …

Interprofessional Education For Teachers: Exploring Adult Learning Of Collaboration Through Cultural-Historical Activity Theory, Berenice Peralta Matus

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study examines how participation in an Interprofessional Education (IPE) simulation event influenced participants' understanding of collaboration. Grounded in Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), the study examined how participants made meaning of collaboration, and the barriers to collaboration and interdisciplinary work both at their graduate program and their work environment. Data was collected in three phases and included semi-structured interviews with teachers before and after the event, observation fieldnotes and video of the event. I analyzed the data using CHAT as the interpretative conceptual framework for thematic interpretation of concepts such as mediation, contradictions, division of labor, and activity systems. …

Teaching In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Teachers' Lived Experiences, Nicholas Ricks Harris

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing education, creating new opportunities for teaching and learning while also raising challenges for teachers. Although schools are encouraging the use of AI, little is known about how teachers experience this transition or how it affects their professional roles. This study explored teachers’ lived experiences as they begin working with AI, using a phenomenological research approach to understand both what they encounter and how they make sense of those experiences. Through interviews with teachers who have recently engaged with AI in their practice, the research identifies themes that reveal opportunities, challenges, and shifts in professional …

Analyzing The Influence Of Stem Project-Based Learning On Students' Perceptions And Career Interest In Stem, Melissa S. Barker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Although science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) enrichment programs aim to increase participation in STEM, the design features that meaningfully influence adolescents’ task values and career-related beliefs remain insufficiently specified. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether STEM PBL activities designed with an interest-focused theoretical lens of Subjective Task Value (STV) and Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) influence students’ perceptions of STEM courses, majors, and careers. Additionally, I sought to understand what elements of the STEM PBL experience were most impactful. I designed and taught STEM PBL activities for students from the Native American lands in southeastern Utah …

A Mixed Methods Analysis On The Effect Of Active Learning On Extraneous Cognitive Load Within Undergraduate Statistics Courses, Michelle Brady Rich

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Students enrolled in college-level statistics courses often lack the foundational skills of statistical concepts which can potentially lead to increased mental load. Additionally, the curricula within undergraduate classes often focus on traditional theory with little student exploration or participation. This combination of increased mental load and passive lectures can be explored through the Cognitive Load Theory (CLT). CLT examines how new information enters the limited capacity of an individual’s working memory and how exceeding this capacity affects the ability to transfer the information to long-term memory. This research focused on the extraneous cognitive load, or the load imposed by the …

Unlearning Patriarchy And Reframing Gender Politics: Challenging White Feminist Identity And Men's Negotiated Resistance Toward Social Justice, Laura Erickson Alvarado

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study examines gender politics and the unlearning of patriarchy in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, centering lived experiences of Latinas and Black women while critically engaging men's roles in both reproducing and challenging gender inequality. Grounded in Critical Pedagogy, intersectionality, Critical Race Theory (CRT)/LatCrit, and whiteness studies, the research employs a mixed-methods design, including metadata analysis, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and critical discourse analysis. Intersectionality serves as the analytical framework, highlighting how patriarchy, white supremacy, predatory capitalism, race, class, and geopolitics intersect to shape differentiated experiences of marginalization and agency. Critical consciousness is conceptualized as the capacity to link lived experiences …

What Are You Doing In My Classroom? -- Elementary Teacher Perspectives Of Instructional Coaches, Maria Erika Avalos-Fernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study uses a constructivist grounded theory approach to explore elementary teachers' perspectives as they work with instructional coaches on their campuses. The primary purpose of the study is to examine teachers' perspectives and gain insight into how these interactions influence their professional practice. Participants included elementary teachers from a single campus in El Paso, Texas, all of whom have had experience working and collaborating with instructional coaches. The constructivist grounded theory provides a lens for examining participating teachers' lived experiences. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Convenience sampling was used, allowing flexibility in selecting participants for the …

Bridging Industry And Academia In Engineering Leadership Education: Using Q Methodology To Identify The Viewpoints Of Engineering Professionals On Effective Engineering Leadership, Pamela Edith Campos Valles

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Engineering leadership has been recognized as a key professional skill by the U.S National Academy of Engineering, leading to increased attention and integration in engineering education research and development. The perception and recognition of leadership within the engineering field remains limited by the widespread definitions of leadership and limited characterization of engineering leaders. The Contextual Engineering Leadership Development framework is grounded on a discipline specific definition of engineering leadership and approaches to leadership development derived from engineering undergraduate programs. The use of this framework provides the opportunity to describe what engineering leaders prioritize, enabling the identification and characterization of …

Exploring Teachers’ Lived Experiences: The Impact Of Wellness On Student Engagement And Behavior In Third-Grade Classrooms, Tiffany L. Jackson

Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored teachers' lived experiences implementing student wellness initiatives in the classroom and examined their views on how these initiatives affected student engagement and behavior. In this study, participants had the opportunity to express their views on implementing wellness practices in the classroom and on how these initiatives impacted student engagement and behavior. The research was guided by theoretical frameworks related to wellness, emotional and social intelligence, and relational perspectives. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were the primary data source, and interview notes will serve as secondary data. This study addressed three research questions: (1) What are teachers' lived …