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An Impact Study Of Young Women's Leadership Development: A Case Study Of Kosovo, Linda Gjergji

Theses & Dissertations

This study explores the leadership development trajectories of young women in Kosovo engaged in a global leadership program, offering significant insights into their capabilities, aspirations, and the barriers they face in pursuit of leadership roles. Using a qualitative instrumental case study approach, this study examines how participation in global leadership initiatives fosters skill development, self-awareness, and civic engagement among young women in a traditionally male-dominated society. The conceptual framework of the study is comprised of Erikson's theory of Psychosocial Development (Erikson, 1968) and Positive Youth Development (Lerner, 2005). Data was collected through online semi-structured interviews and an arts-based method, revealing …

Review: Poetter, Thomas S. Curriculum Fragments: A Currere Journey Through Life Processes., Joseph Wiederhold

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Poetter’s book Curriculum Fragments—and the stories shared within— have changed the way I think about education. Redefined it. Recentered it on what matters most—the human experience, the life processes at the center of Poetter’s book: losing, knowing, forgiving, relating, hoping, growing, loving. Each of Poetter’s fragments—reflective narratives written following the Currere methodology (Pinar)—caused me to reevaluate my practice.

Early Childhood Educators' Perception Of Burnout: Impact On Educator Self-Efficacy, Teacher-Child Relationships, And Children's Emotional Regulation, Isaac M.D. Bowman

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Early childhood educators (ECE) play a critical role in the academic advancement and nurturing care provided to children in their care, a distinct difference in role and responsibilities compared to traditional K-12 schooling. Published by the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, a report pertaining to ECE turnover revealed a nearly 40% annual turnover rate. Factors ECEs previously attributed to their exit of the early childhood education field involve low wage, low self-efficacy, and dealing with challenging behaviors. While not an exhaustive list, in a field relying predominantly on routine and consistency, ECE turnover rate highlights a necessity in exploring potential indirect …

A Phenomenological Study Into The Experiences Of Introverted Teachers, Bambi A. Hamel

All NMU Master's Theses

Behavior management has long been a challenge for teachers in general, but there has been a lack of research on behavior management through the lens of personality type, such as introversion. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the strengths and skills of introverted teachers to facilitate positive behaviors in their classrooms, as well as challenges they encountered. In a semi-structured interview, five teachers from a school district in the Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan were presented with a specific set of questions (See Appendix C) targeting their experiences in behavior management as introverted teachers. The results highlighted the teachers’ unique traits …

The Butterfly Effect: Cognitive Coachingsm As A Catalyst For Educator Learning And Lasting Change, Katie B. Givens-Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) research study explores instructional coaches’ perceptions of the impact of Cognitive Coaching℠ on teacher instruction, efficacy, and professional learning implementation. Findings across the four research questions reveal a cohesive perception among instructional coaches that Cognitive Coaching℠ functions as a catalyst for teacher growth, agency, and efficacy.

Coaches described their roles primarily as facilitators who guide rather than direct, emphasizing trust-building, reflection, and empowerment as essential. The findings highlight that Cognitive Coaching℠ strengthens teacher self-efficacy, which aligns with the six core principles of andragogy, with coaches observing increases in confidence, risk-taking, and professional agency. The …

Behavioral Manifestations Of Childhood Abandonment: African-American Men's Reflections And Strategies To Support Teenage Boys In K-12 Education, Jarmel Bell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the behavioral manifestations of childhood abandonment as reflected in the lived experiences of African-American men and to identify strategies that may support African-American boys in K–12 educational settings. Although there has been limited documentation regarding the direct connection between childhood abandonment and behavioral challenges in school environments, this study seeks to address that gap by capturing the reflections of African-American men who experienced abandonment during their formative years. These reflections provide insight into how abandonment may shape behavior in educational spaces and what types of interventions or supports might have made a …

Educator Perceptions Of Mindfulness Education In Rural Elementary Schools In Tennessee, Mary C. Shepherd-Mcgown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine educator perceptions of mindfulness instruction and the alignment of school policies in rural elementary schools in Tennessee. Despite growing interest in mindfulness in education, few studies have investigated how these practices are experienced and implemented within under-resourced, rural contexts.

Guided by Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (SLT) and framed conceptually by the Whole-School Mindfulness (WSM) model, the study explored how social, organizational, and policy factors influence the adoption of mindfulness practices. SLT provided a theoretical lens for understanding how educator behaviors are shaped through observation, modeling, and reinforcement, while the WSM framework …

Employers’ Perceptions Of Workplace Readiness Skills, Tabitha S. Young, Natalie K. Ferand

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Employability skills are continually changing, and the workforce provides the transparency needed for the success of business employment. Workplace readiness skills and human capital theory form the backbone for organizational success and sustainability. This study examined employers’ perceptions of workplace readiness skills at the expected proficiency level of an entry-level employee, the average level of skill for an entry-level employee, and the level of importance of the skill to their industry. The Virginia Workplace Readiness Skills have impacted employers and prepared students for the workplace. The results indicated that the workplace readiness skills mentioned in the literature align with the …

Reported Value Of Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices Of Virginia Agricultural Education Teachers, Natalie K. Ferand, Kendrick Spencer, Bradley Bowen

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

To address the increasing diversity in schools and the monolithic culture of teachers, researchers have called for pedagogies that reflect the diverse and pluralistic identities of students. While core academic areas have long adopted culturally relevant pedagogy, school-based agricultural education (SBAE) has lagged behind. This study aimed to determine the views of agricultural education teachers in Virginia on culturally responsive pedagogy dispositions and identify areas of professional development need. Teachers valued the differences among students and the communities in which their schools are located. However, results revealed a need for professional development in using the local community as a resource …

Adoption Of The 4-H Thriving Model Of Positive Youth Development:A Case-Centered Examination Of 4-H Agents, Patricia Whitener

All Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Youth development professionals working in non-formal educational settings face the persistent challenge of translating evidence-based frameworks into effective practice. This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study examines how South Carolina 4-H agent/educators perceive and adopt the 4-H Thriving Model following mandatory statewide training. The study investigates the roles of professional identity, change readiness, and organizational factors in shaping innovation adoption decisions among Extension professionals who work with considerable autonomy within diverse community contexts.

The 4-H Thriving Model represents a comprehensive theory of change that connects program practices to the developmental processes that influence youth outcomes (Arnold and Gagnon, 2019). The model …

Perceptions Of Practitioners: An Examination Of Practices For Retention And Support Of Special Education Teachers, Megan L. O'Dell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher attrition remains a critical challenge in public education, particularly among special education teachers who face unique legal, instructional, and emotional demands. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of current and former K–5 special education teachers to better understand the practices and resources that influence their decision to remain in or leave the profession. The central research question investigated how leadership, professional learning, and working conditions shape teacher sustainability in special education roles. Twelve participants, including six currently employed special education teachers and six who had exited the profession, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data analysis revealed five major themes: …

Civics Teachers’ Perceptions Of Disciplinary Literacy Strategies That Use Primary Sources: A Case Study, Whitney Williams

Dissertations

This study has been designed as a case study to examine teachers’ perceptions of document-based strategies when combined with primary sources as pedagogical tools. The participants were ninth grade civics teachers. Semi-structured interviews, focused observations, and artifact collection were the sources of collected data. As the researcher, my constructivism guided this study through the lens of Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory (SCT). Therefore, the participants’ perception will be interpreted through SCT concepts such as personal influences, behavioral influences, and environmental influences. Findings show a handful of disciplinary literacy strategies that occurred most often across all participants. Teachers valued an emphasis …

Discourses Embedded In The Adams V. School Board Of St. Johns County Decision And The Rights Of Transgender Students In Schools, Douglas Larson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study was critical analysis of the language of the court case Adams v. School Board of St. Johns County (2022). This case was brough by a student against the School District challenging a policy that prevented him, a transgender boy, from using the boys’ restroom. The analysis was not intended to determine the merits of the case or the correctness of the legal reasoning. Rather, the analysis was performed on the text of the case—the language used by the judges—to learn about the beliefs, attitudes, and values of the judges.

The reason this analysis is important is because judges …

Borderlines Of Becoming: Transfronterizx College Students Navigating Surveillance, Hybridity And Belonging Along The Us-México Border, Aylin Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This narrative literature review examines the educational experiences of transfronterizx college students along the U.S.– México border, a population largely absent from higher education scholarship. Drawing on Borderlands Theory, Anzaldúa’s frameworks, and critical perspectives on neoliberalism and militarization, this thesis highlights the border as a site of both constraint and possibility. Structural violence, surveillance, and militarization intersect with linguistic, racial, and class hierarchies to shape students’ mobility, identities, and sense of belonging. At the same time, students mobilize hybrid identities, cultural wealth, and transborder networks to assert agency, cultivate belonging, and resist deficit narratives. It also identifies persistent gaps, particularly …

Exploring The Impact Of Stem Degree Attainment On Intragenerational Social Mobility Among Hispanic Students And Graduates In Two Texas-Mexico Border Universities, Pilar Gonzalez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This research employed a two-phase, sequential, explanatory, mixed-methods design to answer the research questions. The first research question examined how obtaining a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) higher education degree affects the socioeconomic advancement of current Hispanic students and alumni of the Louise Stokes Alliance for Minorities in Participation (LSAMP) within the context of two higher education institutions located along the Texas-Mexico border. The second research question explored the determinants shaping the professional pathways of Hispanic STEM students and graduates in the geographic vicinity of the Texas-Mexico border. For this study, STEM degrees refer to those recognized by the …

Peer Mentoring And Teacher Collaboration: A Case Study Of Practices And Self-Efficacy In A Rural Title I School, Whitney Ensley

Dissertations

This qualitative case study examined how peer mentoring influences teacher self-efficacy at a rural elementary school in southeastern Georgia. Using Bandura's self-efficacy theory and Wenger's communities of practice framework, the research investigated how teachers engage in mentoring relationships and how these practices contribute to professional growth.

Semi-structured interviews and reflection journals were conducted with ten elementary teachers representing diverse experience levels (1-21+ years) and grade levels. Findings revealed that meaningful peer mentoring occurred primarily through informal, trust-based relationships within grade-level teams rather than formal programs. Teachers engaged collaboratively in lesson planning, data analysis, and problem-solving.

Results demonstrated that peer mentoring …

Exploring Transformative Learning Experiences In Engineering Doctoral And Post-Doctoral Education: Developing Non-Technical Competencies For Early-Career Academic Roles, Ibukunoluwa Eunice Salami

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation explores the transformative learning experiences that early-career engineering faculty recounted from their doctoral and postdoctoral training and how these experiences shaped the development of non-technical competencies essential for academic success. Grounded in Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory (TLT) and the Competency-Based Professional Development Framework (CBPDF), the study examines how reflection and shifts in frames of reference supported competency growth and faculty readiness. A qualitative holistic single-case study design was employed. Data sources included semi-structured interviews with early-career engineering faculty and program learning objectives drawn from graduate handbooks. Data analysis was both deductive and inductive guided by Mezirow’s ten phases …

Reflections In The Mirror: An Examination Of Racially Congruent Mentoring Of Black Teacher Candidates In A Teacher Education Program, Mary Louise Gregory

Teaching & Learning Theses & Dissertations

The high demand for Black educators in K-12 schools across the United States has caused several teacher training programs to rethink how they prepare Black teacher candidates for the teaching workforce (Andrews et al., 2019; Blazar, 2024; Milner & Howard, 2004). Improving teacher candidate training, especially for Black teacher candidates can boost K-12 Black teacher representation. Literature on Black teacher candidate’s experiences while being mentored identifies several challenges that include issues with implicit bias, microaggressions, stereotyping and other occurrences of racial discrimination (Daly et al., 2024; Hampton et al., 2008; Kardos & Johnson-Moore, 2010; Rodriguez et al., 2020). The process …

Marginalized Pre-Service Teachers’ Digital Competence: An Exploration Of Epistemic Beliefs And Lived Experiences, Jerolyn Rose Brown

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

Amid growing calls for equity in teacher education, this dissertation investigates how digital competence and epistemological beliefs interact within the lived experiences of marginalized pre-service teachers (mPSTs), also referenced as teacher candidates, whose racial and ethnic identities often position them at the periphery of dominant educational narratives. Anchored in critical narrative inquiry (Pino Gavidia & Adu, 2022) and framed by the DigCompEdu digital competence model (Redecker & Punie, 2017), the study employs a multimethod approach, integrating quantitative data from the SELFIEforTEACHERS self-assessment tool (Economou, 2023) with qualitative insights drawn from in-depth narrative interviews. The participant cohort consists of 50 marginalized …

The Influence Of Individual And Collective Social Capital On Teachers’ Decisions To Move Districts, Melinda Dawn Hodgkiss

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Understanding what contributes to teachers’ decisions to stay or leave in a school district is complex. There is a need to further investigate factors that influence teacher retention and attrition so that policy makers and school leaders can be informed about practices that may replenish and sustain the educator workforce. In an effort to understand the essence of the lived experience of teachers who previously made a decision to move districts, this study used phenomenological methods for the purpose of discovering the role that access to individual and collective social capital played in teachers’ decision making. Semi-structured interviews were conducted …

Leading With All The Feels: Exploring The Perceptions Of Middle School Administrators' Implementation Of School-Wide Social-Emotional Learning Programming, Sabrina Smith Richardson

Teaching & Learning Theses & Dissertations

Middle school administrators have multiple responsibilities that range from ensuring the safety and security of staff and students to overseeing the curriculum and instructional foci of their buildings. At the same time, middle school students are experiencing the early stages of adolescence. Because it is a complex time for students to navigate, it creates anxiety, a decline in academic achievement and motivation, and peer and academic pressures (London, 2022; Schlund, 2021). Middle school students have social-emotional needs that are not typically met in secondary schools, which means programming is not typically a part of the instructional day. This study examined …

The Impact Of Career Development Education In Rural Communities: A Program Evaluation, Hayden S. Austin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of a regional career development education program using a post-test-only, exploratory descriptive design with middle and high school students from rural and urban school districts in West Central Texas. Students who participated in the Career and Education Outreach (CEO) program received four classroom sessions focused on labor market information, high-demand industries, employability skills, and career pathways. The purpose of this research was to explore whether students’ perceptions of the value of career development education differed based on geographic region, economic level, educational level, ethnic composition of the district, and the students’ own demographic characteristics. A …

Response To Intervention Implementation With Culturally Diverse Students, Alysia R. Chatman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative descriptive study examined how elementary educators implement response to intervention (RTI) and multitiered systems of support with culturally and linguistically diverse students. Drawing on self-determination theory and culturally relevant pedagogy, the researcher conducted semistructured interviews with five participants, three classroom teachers, one interventionist, and one campus administrator from three Title I elementary schools in a large suburban Texas district. Transcripts were analyzed through thematic coding. Four themes emerged: (1) training and preparedness for RTI implementation, (2) administrator support and follow-through, (3) understanding and application of culturally responsive teaching, and (4) RTI meeting structure and process. Participants reported a …

Leading With Strength: The Relationship Between Character Strength Awareness And Teacher Self-Efficacy, Ashton Lynn Knox

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traditional educational leadership practices have historically emphasized weakness-based approaches to leadership regarding teacher interventions. Emerging research grounded in positive psychology suggests that strength-based interventions may offer a more effective pathway for supporting educators. The purpose of this action research study was to examine the influence of character strength awareness on teacher self-efficacy. Guided by a strength-based leadership framework, the researcher investigated whether intentional character strength interventions could positively impact teachers’ perceptions of their instructional effectiveness. The study employed an action research design with 14 K–12 teachers from a rural public school district in Texas. Participants completed the Values in Action …

Examining The Perceptions Of Economics And Personal Finance Teachers' Preparedness To Teach Financial Literacy, Tasha L. Wearren

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Financial literacy has become an important topic in our society. Despite an increased focus in financial literacy education, there is limited research assessing teachers’ ability to teach financial literacy by examining their endorsement area. According to Soroko (2021), research is limited regarding teachers’ beliefs and practices as it relates to financial literacy. As O’Neill and Hensley (2016) indicated, “Teachers cannot teach personal finance well if they do not understand it themselves and/or cannot engage their students” (p. 639). This qualitative multiple case study examined how Economics and Personal Finance teachers perceive their preparedness to teach financial literacy with different endorsements. …

A Model For Training Management System Implementation In Higher Education, David J. Rowe

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In an era where innovation and adaptability are critical to institutional success, the practical training and development of employees in higher education organizations have become essential. This study examined stakeholders’ perceptions of cloud-based Training Management System (TMS) implementation within California Higher Education systems, including both the California Community College (CCC) and the California State University (CSU). Although a TMS offers substantial benefits for administering training programs, large systems face challenges due to uneven adoption across campuses, leading to inefficiencies, regulatory non-compliance, and hindered workforce development. This research identified and evaluated technology, organizational, and environmental critical success factors influencing TMS implementation …

Sustaining Momentum While Dissertating: The Journey Of Two Women Scholars, Tasha Egalite, Kristin L. Kew

Intersections: Critical Issues in Education

This paper is a narrative reflection on some reasons for earning a doctorate and writing a dissertation. We are two scholars interested in sustaining educational change and dedicated to better understanding and supporting the process and growth of students in doctoral programs. In our pláticas, we share and reflect on our own doctoral journeys, the critical issues we encountered, and the hoops we jumped through while completing our dissertations.

"No Closed Door": How A Peer-Led Wellness Café Model Facilitated & Supported Staff-Student Partnerships, Sharon Ferguson, Aimee O. Byrne

Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Bridging Worlds: Cultivating Cultural Intelligence For Transformative English Classrooms, Alvaro R. Larrea Salazar

Senior Honors Theses

This project explores the integration of the Cultural Intelligence (CQ) framework in the secondary English classroom to enhance inclusivity and classroom dynamics. It argues that by understanding and adapting to diverse cultural contexts, teachers can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment, improve teacher-student relationships, and facilitate more effective classroom management. Through a focus on lesson planning, discussion, and overall instruction, this thesis aims to show how CQ can enrich literature studies and foster cultural awareness among students. Drawing on existing research, it demonstrates that a high CQ in educators is linked to transformational leadership and positive student outcomes, ultimately …

Development Of Pack-Based Learning Outcome Tests For The Mechanical Engineering Education Study Program Of Teacher Professional Education, Dwi Agus Sudjimat, Darmawan Satyananda

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This study aims to develop a learning outcome test instrument based on Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (PACK) for students of the Teacher Professional Education Program (PPG) in the Mechanical Engineering Education Study Program (Pendidikan Teknik Mesin, PTM) at Universitas Negeri Malang. The background of this study is based on the need for an assessment that can measure the integration of content knowledge, pedagogy, and technology in accordance with the demands of the Industry 4.0 era. The test development method follows psychometric procedures, including planning, writing, and validating test items, field testing, analyzing test items, and finalizing the instrument. …