Digital Commons Network^™

Incorporating Cbt And Mindfulness Into Teacher Training To Improve The Relationship Between Teachers And Autistic Students, Sarah Lauren Swerdin

Theses and Dissertations

Given the substantial amount of time that children spend in the classroom each day, student-teacher relationships (STRs) play a critical role in students’ social-emotional development and academic achievement (Breeman et al., 2015). Research indicates, however, that students on the autism spectrum tend to have STRs characterized by less closeness and greater conflict, often due to their social-communication differences and behavioral challenges (Losh et al., 2022). Teacher-level factors, including job stress and burnout, also shape teachers’ appraisals of students and their subsequent coping strategies (Obiweluozo et al., 2021), thereby influencing STRs. Although STRs have been widely examined among neurotypical students and …

The Impact Of Third-Grade Literacy Retention Policies On Low-Income Students: A Case Study Approach, Kaycee Cody

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative multi-site case study examines the implementation and perceived impact of Tennessee’s third-grade retention mandate under the Tennessee Learning Loss Remediation and Student Acceleration Act, with a focus on low-income students in two public school districts in East Tennessee. The legislation requires retention of third-grade students who do not demonstrate reading proficiency and mandates literacy interventions as promotion pathways. Although intended to strengthen early literacy outcomes, concerns remain regarding its equity implications. Guided by five research questions, this study explored perceived academic outcomes for low-income students, stakeholder perceptions of policy effectiveness, barriers to accessing required interventions, perceived implications for …

Human Being And Being Human In Frankenstein Through The Lens Of Catholic Social Teaching, Faria S. Sookdeo

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation argues that looking at social issues, such as racism, adverse effects of advancement in and use of science and technology, and environmental concerns, in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein through a Catholic Social Teaching (CST) lens enables an understanding of the nature of humans that brings marginalized and non-marginalized creatures, both human and non-human in a common community and emphasizes and that our behaviors towards such creations are what define our humanity and are vital to the preservation of our environment, subjects that are as relevant today as they were when Shelley first published Frankenstein in 1818 and when the …

High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of Care In The Classroom, Laura Thérèse Freeze

Theses and Dissertations

This narrative inquiry study explored high school teachers’ perceptions of care in the classroom. The researcher gained insight into teachers’ perceptions of care by collecting data from semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, surveys, and participant discussions. The researcher used Noddings’s (1984) ethic of care as a heuristic for analysis to explore how teachers perceive and enact care for students. Participants engaged in collaborative discussion as members of a professional learning community (PLC) to explore their own experiences with care. The interview, observation, and PLC discussion data presented the following unique approaches to care: (1) care as being responsive to student needs, …

Moderators Of Change In Parent Child Relationship Quality In Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emilie Paul

Theses and Dissertations

The parent-child relationship may protect children against negative mental health outcomes after trauma. One aim of evidence-based interventions for trauma-related symptoms in children is often to improve the parent-child relationship, as seen in trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy (TF-CBT). This study investigated changes in parent-child relationship quality during TF-CBT in child-parent dyads. Participants were families receiving TF-CBT through a community-based training clinic as part of an ongoing open trial of TF-CBT (N=287). Children reported on relationship quality at pre-, mid-, and post-treatment. Multilevel growth modeling examined changes in relationship quality across TF-CBT and moderating effects of caregiver symptoms, homework completion, and …

Do Friendship Features Moderate Associations Between Body-Related (Co)-Rumination And Disordered Eating Behaviors?, Annabel Grace Susanin

Theses and Dissertations

For young adults, the transition to college includes increased responsibility and academic pressures, as well as new living environments with same-age peers. The demands of this transition can contribute to increased stress and uncertainty in students, resulting in engagement of behaviors that negatively impact physical and mental well-being. Among these behaviors include disordered eating. In this project, we sought to better understand individual and social risk factors for developing disordered eating behaviors. We measured a cognitive process that can occur within the self (rumination) or between the self and others (co-rumination), two concepts previously linked to other internalizing disorders, including …

Middle Grades English Language Arts Teachers’Experiences Of Care: A Narrative Case Study, Kathleen Rose O’Farrell

Theses and Dissertations

This narrative case study examined how four middle grades English Language Arts (ELA) teachers enacted care in a suburban Northeastern U.S. middle school. Drawing on interviews, classroom observations, instructional artifacts, and notes, the study developed narrative portraits to examine how care was experienced and enacted within daily instructional practices. Guided by Nel Noddings’s (2013) care theory and Geneva Gay’s (2018) culturally responsive care framework, the study explored how teachers sustained meaningful and equitable instruction amid post-pandemic academic, social-emotional, and technological shifts. Findings revealed care as the instructional foundation, making equitable and meaningful literacy learning possible with three interrelated dimensions: trust, …

The Burden Of (Hand)Writing: The Lived Experiences Of Secondary Students With Dysgraphia, Eleesha S. Romasko

Theses and Dissertations

Developmental dysgraphia is a disability that impacts the writing of students and has long-term effects on their education. While past research has primarily focused on clinical aspects, there is scarce qualitative research. The purpose of this study was to give a voice to the experiences of secondary students (grades 6-12) with dysgraphia using a phenomenological approach. The study was grounded in Piaget’s cognitive constructivism and uses a Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenological approach to understand the lived experience of students with dysgraphia. The research utilized purposive sampling to find four participants with dysgraphia who were in grades 6-12. Data was collected through …

Nuestro Testimonio: The Experiences And Testimonios Of Early-Career World Language Educators In An Urban High School, Bonny Guadalupe

Theses and Dissertations

Research shows that teaching Spanish language and culture often reinforces biases, stereotypes, and suffers from limited economic and institutional support (Avendaño, 1979; Carter, 2014; Heredia & Altarriba, 2001; Potowski, 2002; Quan, 2021; Randolph Jr., 2017). These challenges restrict the social and academic mobility of Spanish-speaking students, especially in urban areas like New York City. This qualitative narrative inquiry addresses two questions: how do early-career high school World Language educators decolonize the AP Spanish Language and Culture curriculum, and how does engagement in Sealy-Ruiz’s Archeology of Self framework influence their teaching? The study examines the intersections of personal identity, professional growth, …

Multi-Tier Systems Of Support: A K–12 Case Study, Christopher Foster

Theses and Dissertations

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) has emerged as a widely adopted framework intended to address student academic and behavioral needs through tiered intervention systems and data-informed decision making. While many school districts have implemented MTSS frameworks, variability in implementation across grade levels and school contexts continues to affect the consistency and effectiveness of these systems. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine the implementation of MTSS across the K–12 continuum within a public school district in the northeastern United States. The study explored three central areas: the structural features supporting MTSS implementation, stakeholder perceptions of MTSS effectiveness, …

Using Authentic Material To Motivate Adult Low Literacy Learners, Toni M. Morales

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover through exploratory research if using authentic material; comics, newspapers and graphic novels would motivate and improve the reading skills of low literacy adults. This was an important study that demonstrated the need to enhance reading programs for adults. The outcomes supported the study’s aim of developing new curricula for adult reading programs. The study utilized a qualitative approach, utilizing three methods; personal narratives interviews, and self-surveys which provided descriptions of the results of lack of literacy skills in low-level literacy adults. The study sought to discover if using authentic material both holds …

Teacher And Administrator Perspectives On Participation In Professional Learning Communities And Their Impact On Collective Teacher Efficacy: A Multi Case Study, Maria Kambourakis

Theses and Dissertations

Urban educators face ongoing challenges in establishing collaborative cultures that effectively maximize student achievement. To address this research problem, this qualitative case study investigates how teachers and administrators perceive their participation in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and how these perceptions shape Collective Teacher Efficacy (CTE). Grounded in Bandura’s social cognitive theory of collective efficacy and DuFour’s PLC framework, the research explores how structured collaboration enhances educators' shared beliefs in their ability to positively impact student learning. The researcher employed a qualitative case study design involving eight teachers and two administrators across two non-public, urban K-8 schools in Brooklyn, New York. …

The Relation Between Referral Source And Completion Of Trauma-Specific Assessment And Therapy In A Community-Based Training Clinic, Olivia Fiallo

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, more than 60% of youth experience at least one trauma by age 16, and about one-third develop a trauma-related disorder. Evidence-based trauma-specific cognitive behavioral therapies (TS-CBTs) exist, yet fewer than 20% of trauma-exposed youth receive trauma-focused treatment, with dropout rates as high as 75% after treatment initiation. Referral sources are gatekeepers to TS-CBTs and may be a key system-level factor shaping barriers to starting and staying in treatment. This study examined whether referral source was associated with entry into and completion of a full TS-CBT service delivery pathway in a community-based trauma clinic. Participants were 346 …

Reframing Discipline Through A Justice Lens: Educator Perceptions Of Restorative Practices In Special Education Schools, Jenny V. Cook

Theses and Dissertations

Restorative practices have increasingly been adopted in schools as an alternative to traditional disciplinary approaches, emphasizing relationship building, accountability, and community repair rather than punishment. Research suggests that restorative approaches can contribute to improved school climate, stronger relationships among students and staff, and reductions in exclusionary discipline practices. Despite the growing implementation of restorative practices in educational settings, much of the existing literature focuses on general education environments. Comparatively little research has examined how restorative practices are perceived and experienced within special education schools that serve students with complex behavioral, social, and emotional needs. Understanding educator perceptions in these specialized …

Examining Community School Hubs In Creating Sustainable And Transformative Spaces For English Learners And Families: A Qualitative Study, Elizabeth Ortiz-Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Economically disadvantaged English learner students are at risk for poor academic outcomes. These challenges are exacerbated by inaccessibility to nutritious food, educational resources, healthcare, and stable housing. These cyclical and persistent issues require a community-based response. Community school hubs emerged as a response to the numerous academic and social challenges for English learner families who are living in vulnerable communities. This qualitative narrative study examined the perceptions of English learner parents and members of one community school hub regarding the available resources. Research questions examined the overall perceptions of one community school hub, including challenges and necessary changes to strengthen …

The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Higher Education Enrollment, Shonna L. Jones-Washington

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of AI-driven chatbot technology on the progression through the undergraduate admissions funnel, including application, admission, and enrollment, and to explore how AI outreach intensity predicts these outcomes while addressing potential disparities across student subgroups. The study involved 24,141 data records, including both domestic and international undergraduate applicants to St. John’s University for the Fall 2025 semester. The study found that AI interaction was associated with higher admission rates (83.0% vs. 75.7%) but revealed no significant relationship between AI usage and final enrollment rates. Quantitative analyses, including chi-square tests, binary logistic …

Analytics Framework For Cyberattack Risk, Severity, And Timing Prediction Using Survival - Aware Sequence Modeling, Mariia Voronina

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to develop an analytics framework for cyberattack risk, severity, and timing prediction using survival-aware sequence modeling. The primary objective was to analyze the temporal dynamics of cyberattacks by jointly considering attack type, severity, risk, and time-to-attack, and to evaluate whether these components can be effectively modeled within a probabilistic framework. The analysis was conducted using a synthetically generated cyberattack dataset designed for cybersecurity research purposes. The dataset included multiple attack categories, such as DDoS, Intrusion, Malware, severity levels, and engineered risk measures. Python was used as the primary programming language for data analysis and model development. The …

Exploring Perceived School Administrator Leadership Support And Teacher Burnout, Matthew H. Stifelman

Theses and Dissertations

Burnout is an issue that affects those in numerous occupational settings and comes with tremendous risks for physical and psychological consequences (Edú-Balsania et al., 2022). Burnout is defined as one’s psychological response to chronic work stressors that can cause cognitive, emotional, or physical health damage (Maslach & Leiter, 2016). Decades of research have identified numerous risk factors for burnout across occupations. Risk factors include job and personal values, workload, lack Burnout is an issue that affects those in numerous occupational settings and comes with tremendous risks for physical and psychological consequences (Edú-Balsania et al., 2022). Burnout is defined as one’s …

Beliefs And Recommendations Of Parents And Teachers For Internalizing Vs. Externalizing Disorders: A Thematic Analysis, Kyle Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of mental health disorders among school-aged children continues to rise, underscoring the importance of effective collaboration between families and schools. This qualitative study explored how parents (N=11) and teachers (N=11) perceive the causes, severity, and most appropriate interventions for internalizing (e.g., anxiety, depression) and externalizing (e.g., ADHD, conduct) disorders. Using vignette-based interviews and thematic analysis, six central themes emerged: (1) causal attributions (biological vs. environmental), (2) links between causes, symptom permanence, and intentionality, (3) intervention preferences, (4) importance of collaboration, (5) perceptions of severity, and (6) gendered interpretations of symptoms. 12 of the 22 participants (5 parents, 7 …

The Impact Of Music Education On Language Acquisition Of English Language Learners, Andrew David Frey-Gould

Theses and Dissertations

Schools continue to face increasing accountability pressures to improve English language proficiency outcomes for English Language Learners (ELLs), while access to arts education, particularly music, has declined in many districts. This study examines whether music education can serve as an effective and equitable support for language development among elementary ELL students. The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to determine whether participation in ensemble-based music programs (i.e., band, orchestra, and chorus) is associated with greater gains in English language proficiency than participation in compulsory general music instruction. This study is grounded in Krashen’s Second Language Acquisition theory and Patel’s resource-sharing …

Investigating The Lived Experiences Of Students In The Online Community College Learning Environment, Kevin Allen Fleming

Theses and Dissertations

The rapid expansion of online learning in higher education following the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed community colleges, positioning virtual education as both an access strategy and an institutional survival mechanism. Despite significant growth in online education programs, persistent gaps remain in understanding how students experience learning within fully online environments. This qualitative phenomenological study investigates the lived experiences of undergraduate students enrolled in asynchronous online courses at a public community college in upstate New York. Grounded in Constructivist learning theory and informed by User Experience design principles, the study explores how students engage with and through institutional learning technologies, construct …

Program Evaluation: A Study To Evaluate A Traditional Suspension Program Versus An Alternate Suspension Program, Ruth Desronvil

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, millions of students face out-of-school suspensions from public schools each year. Black and Hispanic students, in particular, are suspended at higher rates than their white peers (Cobb-Clark et al., 2015). Students miss class time and valuable learning, which widens the achievement gap between Black, Hispanic, and White students. Suspended students also face additional consequences, such as social alienation from schools and a higher likelihood of engagement in delinquency. Several programs seek to improve the effects of suspensions on students’ outcomes. In this dissertation response, I examine the effectiveness of one such program: an alternative suspension educational …

Don’T Hit Mommy! Associations Between Harsh Parenting And Aggression In Toddlerhood: The Moderating Role Of Temperament, Serah Betancourt

Theses and Dissertations

Physical aggression is known to be particularly common in toddlerhood. Further, harsh parenting practices and certain temperament traits in children have been found to be associated with aggressive behaviors. Recently, aggression has been demonstrated to be differentiated between provoked and unprovoked aggression. The current study examined early aggression and explored the mechanisms by which harsh parenting practices and temperament traits may predict different types of aggression and how that may also change depending on the stage of development in toddlerhood. That is, we proposed that harsh parenting would be more strongly associated with provoked aggression among toddlers with higher negative …

Mentoring Matters: A Phenomenological Study Of How Principals Support New Teacher Development And Retention In Inner-City Catholic Schools, Helena Castilla-Byrne

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine the lived experiences surrounding the phenomenon of being a new teacher in an inner-city Catholic school by looking at teachers’ professional learning and development to facilitate the new teacher’s retention, growth, well-being, and success in inner-city Catholic schools through the lens of the school principal leading them. According to the National Education Association, 55 percent of educators are thinking about leaving the profession earlier than they had planned (Walker, 2022). With many new teachers leaving the profession within the first few years, schools must find ways to support and retain them. …

Exploratory Research Into U.S.-Based College/University Population Perceptions And Security Responses To On-Campus Active Shooter Incidents, Donald E. Stanton

Theses and Dissertations

On-campus active shooter incidents challenge U.S.-based Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) as they are usually only identifiable after the first shot. My mixed-methods, exploratory study was conducted to fill gaps in the limited research regarding on-campus active shooter incidents. Using purposive sampling, I identified two IHL security directors for the initial qualitative phase of my research. I conducted separate virtual interviews to discuss active shooter-specific responses, policies, procedures, security measures, potential active shooter-specific security systems, and their views on the importance of open-campus learning and social environments. We also discussed their active shooter response postures and whether they believed their …

“I Love What I Do, I Just Don't Love Where I Do It,”: An Exploration Of Job-Related Tension And Well-Being Of Professional Academic Advisors, Cynthia Cruger

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the intersection of job-related tension and workplace well-being among professional academic advisors through the lens of the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model. The purpose of the study is to address a gap in advising scholarship by exploring job demands and resources in advisors’ experiences in different advising models and institution types. A scoping literature review addresses advising as a profession, positive organizational psychology frameworks such as the PERMA model, and job-related tension concepts like role overload and ambiguity. Existing research indicates advisors have high job satisfaction despite job tension, and the JD-R theory is used to set a …

Album Production: A Pedagogical Tool In Collegiate Brass Performance, Alex Doolittle

Theses and Dissertations

This graduate research project investigates the value of musical album production within collegiate brass performance training and pedagogy. Within the collegiate sphere, brass pedagogy has long centered on live performance, such as juries, recitals, and ensemble participation as a primary performance tool; however, the 21st-century musical landscape is deeply rooted in technological and digital artistic dissemination. This study is used to push the boundaries of how technology can be interpreted in brass pedagogy by asking: How does album production function as a pedagogical tool in collegiate brass performance training?

In this project, I used an auto-ethnographic case study design, serving …

Analysis Of Risk Factors And Current Programs For Addressing Injuries In Children And Adolescents, Jahfel Nial Jones Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children and adolescents in the United States. These injuries result from various causes, including motor vehicle crashes, falls, suffocation, and poisoning. This capstone project examines the prevalence, risk factors, and prevention strategies for unintentional injuries among infants, children, and adolescents. Using a public health approach, this research explores evidence-based interventions and community-based programs that effectively reduce injury-related mortality. The project also incorporates data and insights from the Safe Kids Columbus program at Piedmont Columbus Regional, where various injury prevention initiatives have been implemented.

Findings revealed that motor vehicle crashes …

More Than A Seat At The Table: Examining How Psychological Safety, Identity Representation, And Leadership Accountability Impact African American Women In Global Workplace Environments, Shelbi Chandler

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of African American women working in corporate technology environments, with particular attention to psychological safety, representation, and systemic barriers to advancement. Despite increased organizational commitments to equity and inclusion, research continues to demonstrate that Black women encounter persistent intersectional barriers shaped by race and gender within professional settings (Erskine et al., 2021; Field et al., 2023; Roberson, 2019). Guided by Du Bois’s (2008) theory of double consciousness, Goosby Smith’s (2014a) Ubuntic inclusion framework, and appreciative inquiry (AI; Cooperrider & Whitney, 2005), this study explored how African American women interpret, navigate, and respond …

Play-Based Learning In Private International Preschools In Cairo: Teachers' Perspectives, Kesha L. Stovall

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how play-based learning is practiced and contextualized in private, international preschools in Cairo, Egypt through the perspective of teachers. It calls upon both historical and contemporary theories of play and play pedagogies ranging from the times of Plato and Al-Farabi to the 21st century with Montessori and Dewey. Using a contemporary theory of play presented by Stuart Lester and Wendy Russell as a guiding framework, it examines how play and play-based learning are implemented, shaped and even challenged in a Cairene context. These contexts include sociocultural factors such as parents’ expectations and aspirations, institutional barriers, teacher development …