Imagining The Possibilities: Co-Creating School-Wide Equity, Belonging, And Success, Suzanne L. Martin

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Abstract

This Dissertation in Practice (DiP) seeks to address the growing opportunity gap adversely impacting marginalized students at an Albertan elementary school. Through a critical theoretical lens, this DiP interrogates the various systemic barriers, contextual factors, and educator biases that perpetuate and reinforce socially and academically stratified learning opportunities that restrict holistic student engagement, belonging, and success. Despite teachers’ desire to meet the needs of all students, increasing levels of student diversity and complexity are decreasing the effectiveness of the school’s traditional pedagogical practices and structures. Employing a blended transformative and compassionate leadership approach, critically educative possibilities towards deep cultural …

When Good Intentions Aren't Good Enough: Dismantling Colonial Praxis In Educational Leadership, Peter Francis Barron

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Addressing the inequitable educational outcomes of Indigenous students in K-12 education in Alberta is a moral imperative, a mandate of the provincial government and a response to Call to Action #10 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This dissertation-in-practice, viewed through the lens of critical theory, interrogates systemic barriers within Three Bear Hills School Division (a pseudonym) that hinder Indigenous students' graduation and post-secondary transition rates. Indigenous students in K-12 education are adversely impacted by the influence of settler colonialism on leadership praxis, as evidenced by the achievement gap discourse, deficit thinking, and unconscious bias. These factors lead to the …

Improving Educational Opportunities For Indigenous Students In Alberta, Don J. Hinks Mr.

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP) seeks to address the underachievement of Indigenous students in a K-9 school in the province of Alberta. Using critical theory and Indigenous knowledge as guidelines, the DiP recognizes a number of significant barriers (the perpetuation of the status quo, racism, colonization, limited relevant pedagogy in classrooms, teacher biases, and a general lack of connection to Indigenous people and culture) that create an achievement-gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Creating equitable learning opportunities for Indigenous students in a faith-based environment, that protects the institution of the Catholic church as its first priority, presents a significant challenge for educators …

Equity And Consistency: Resettlement Needs Assessment And Referral Service Standards For Government-Assisted Refugees, Umashanie Reddy

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

The dissertation-in-practice (DiP) addresses the equity and consistency of the resettlement needs assessment and referral service standards for government-assisted refugees (GARs) within the confines of defined autonomy and equity, diversity, and inclusion at Safe Haven Refugee Resettlement Sector, a midsize national resettlement sector in Canada. The current service standards are inequitable and inconsistent, and their application marginalizes GARs. In the DiP, I adopt and adapt an integrated Euro-Afro-Indigenous Ubuntu transformative leadership approach rooted in a decolonizing lens and embedded in equity by addressing inequitable social conditions of a community-in-practice service that causes injustices. The change implementation plan, enacted on the …

Empowering Women Principals To Find Joy: Nurturing Mental Health And Wellbeing, Sherry Ann Macdonald

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Women are overrepresented as education workers (education assistants, early childhood educators, and teachers) and underrepresented as educational leaders (administrators, superintendents). A problem of practice exists where unrealistic demands, increased workload, diminished support, and a lack of recognition of gender differences have contributed to a decline in mental health and wellness of administrators.

This Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP) considers conceptual and theoretical frameworks, literature review, change frameworks, and evaluation mechanisms to arrive at an equity-focused solution that supports mental health and wellbeing while promoting joy. A blended transformative and authentic leadership approach is applied to a critical feminist stance that is underpinned with …

Strengthening Administrative Structures To Enhance Community-Partnered Research, Pippa Seccombe-Hett

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Post-secondary institutions across Canada are grappling with how to advance reconciliation and equity in education and research. This challenge is amplified in northern Canada, where northern residents have long sought equity in the Arctic and northern research ecosystems, yet the population has historically been excluded from research programs and research leadership. This paper is focused on exploring how a community college in northern Canada should invest in developing institutional support for research and expanded research capacity as it transforms into a polytechnic university. The community college serves a remote population where the majority of residents are Indigenous, and the institution …

Balancing The Equation: Trauma-Informed Practices For Equity In Student Academic Achievement And Well-Being Outcomes, Erin M. Mcneilage-Van De Wiele

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Adverse childhood experiences and trauma can have detrimental effects on students' academic performance and overall well-being, often resulting in inequitable academic and social outcomes. The problem of practice addresses how to build capacity for trauma awareness and trauma-informed practices in educators to support students impacted by trauma and their classmates. The organization involved in this change process is a large, suburban elementary school in Ontario, serving students in kindergarten through to grade eight. The Dissertation-in-Practice provides a framework for educators to better support students impacted by adverse experiences and/or trauma, through the development of socio-emotional learning competencies and the provision …

Turning The Dial Towards Belonging: How Leadership Teams Can Support And Sustain Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In An International School Context, Ryan Persaud

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Studies indicate that students who feel a strong sense of belonging - a connection with their school, peers, and teachers - tend to perform better academically. This sense of belonging is particularly influential in boosting the academic outcomes of students from historically marginalized, oppressed, and racially and culturally diverse backgrounds. This Dissertation-in-Practice examines the pivotal roles of culturally responsive and transformative leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within international schools. The problem of practice examines leadership confidence, ability, awareness, and knowledge with DEI. It leverages culturally responsive leadership and transformative leadership to argue for a systemic approach to …

Shakamohtaa: Connecting And Coming Together To Support International Student Career Readiness, Sabreena Macelheron

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Abstract

In the evolving Canadian landscape, permanent residency acquisition has undergone a transformative shift from land sales to educational credential procurement. Canadian higher education markets post-secondary qualifications to international students (IS) seeking migration routes, posing nuanced challenges. IS, despite holding higher education credentials, often find themselves relegated to non-field specific jobs due to existing disparities in the Canadian job market. Amid this equation, IS grapple with the essential need for pre-and-post graduate career experiences to fulfill eligibility criteria for permanent residency application. This pursuit extends beyond merely aligning with their credentials, requiring conformity to approved national occupation codes aligned with …