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Community Benefits Awareness Presentations, Marlene Ramirez May 2024

Community Benefits Awareness Presentations, Marlene Ramirez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Socioeconomic disadvantage significantly impacts educational outcomes, with 81% of Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) Alternative Education program students facing economic hardships. Serving youth in grades 9-12 and adults in Monterey County, including those within the county jail and juvenile facilities, the MCOE Alternative Education program strives to facilitate high school diploma attainment. This project sought to bridge the knowledge gap surrounding the Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs benefit programs through presentations shared within the MCOE community and partner agencies. A partnership between MCOE and the Monterey County Department of Social Services (MCDSS) was established to further this goal. The anticipated …


Transitioning Coordinated Family Support Services From The For-Profit To The Nonprofit Sector, Yesenia Zavala May 2024

Transitioning Coordinated Family Support Services From The For-Profit To The Nonprofit Sector, Yesenia Zavala

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The demand for nonprofit family support services in Monterey County exceeds available resources, leaving many without access. Coordinated Family Support Services (CFSS) in Monterey County serves individuals and families referred through the San Andreas Regional Center, which is funded by Medi-Cal and state funds. Inadequate access to nonprofit family support services affects individuals and families in Monterey County. Contributing factors to this issue include limited resources and funding, not enough community engagement and partnerships, and insufficient staffing and expertise to provide these services. Transitioning CFSS from a for-profit to a nonprofit is impractical due to financial constraints and lack of …


Mentoring At-Risk Students, Ana Cecilia Muñoz May 2024

Mentoring At-Risk Students, Ana Cecilia Muñoz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project entails a case management support intervention, providing one-to-one mentoring, academic assistance, and access to community resources for students at-risk of dropping out of High School. In Monterey County, there is a pressing issue: too many students are at risk of dropping out. Contributing factors encompassed socioeconomic disparities, inadequate resources and support services, as well as absenteeism and truancy. These factors pose significant risks for students' future prospects, potentially leading to unemployment and involvement in criminal activities. The project's expected outcome was to observe increased student attendance, improved grades, and consistency in completing activities on Edgenuity among students at-risk …


Allowing Latinx Students’ Voices To Be Heard, Sofie Jamieson May 2024

Allowing Latinx Students’ Voices To Be Heard, Sofie Jamieson

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

There are too many Latinx students falling behind academically, and coming to First Tee helped improve their academic performance. The First Tee of Monterey is a local non-profit organization that was established in 1997 and is based in Salinas, California primarily serving students who come from low-income backgrounds. The agency strives to support Latinx students who are fourth, fifth, and sixth grade who have a language barrier, not enough tutoring support, and not enough parent and teacher involvement. This increases the likelihood of dropout rates, mental health issues, and unemployment. Implementing an evaluation that the students can take part in …


Healthy Teen Dating Relationships, Thalia Hernandez May 2024

Healthy Teen Dating Relationships, Thalia Hernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Teen dating violence has become a damaging issue in Salinas, California, which forces the community to find immediate solutions to prevent the devastating aftermath of this problem on adolescents. This paper provides ideas for solving this issue by designing the "That's Not Cool" social campaign that was created to maintain healthy relationships between teens. Coordinated with the STRYVE program of the County of Monterey Health Department, the plan was implemented in the Salinas City High School District, where the population is predominantly Hispanic or Latino. As a result of studies, poverty, cultural beliefs, and poor education have been identified as …


Implementing An Enhanced Care Management Program Serving Post-Incarcerated Individuals, Brianna Tome May 2024

Implementing An Enhanced Care Management Program Serving Post-Incarcerated Individuals, Brianna Tome

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The post-incarcerated population has poor health and social outcomes in San Benito and Santa Clara counties. Youth Recovery Connections is a nonprofit organization serving individuals with substance use disorders, gang, and justice involved individuals. The Enhanced Care Management program was implemented in the organization with the addition of serving post-incarcerated individuals. Contributing factors that lead to negative health outcomes include lack of case managers with lived experience, lack of self management skills, and instability of care transitions. Consequences that can arise from these factors include increased healthcare costs, recidivism, and lack of stable housing. The identified consequences cause negative health …


Pedestrian Safety: Crossing Language Barriers, Monica Corral May 2024

Pedestrian Safety: Crossing Language Barriers, Monica Corral

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The prevalence of accidental injuries among pedestrians in Monterey County has reached alarming levels, highlighting an urgent need for intervention to mitigate this issue. The contributing factors leading to this issue are the lack of infrastructure, lack of pedestrian education and language barriers. This significantly enhances the likelihood of a pedestrian being exposed to injuries, human suffering, and death. The County of Monterey Public Health Department has been granted funds by the California Office of Traffic Safety in an effort to implement initiatives aimed at reducing pedestrian-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities in Greenfield California. This project focused on developing a …


Benefits Of Alternative Assessment For College Students’ Academic Success And Mental Well-Being, Calista Gabriel May 2024

Benefits Of Alternative Assessment For College Students’ Academic Success And Mental Well-Being, Calista Gabriel

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Assessments play an imperative role in evaluating a student’s knowledge within the classroom. Traditionally, educators have relied on traditional assessments to measure students’ comprehension of course material. However, in contemporary education, there has been a shift towards alternative assessments for a variety of reasons. This senior capstone research project examines students’ and professors’ perspectives and how alternative assessments could affect them. Through the use of literature review, surveys with professors and students, and interviews, the findings underscore the importance of integrating alternative assessments in educational practices, not only for enhancing students’ academic success, but also for nurturing their mental well-being.


The Need For Volunteer Engagement, Brittney Portillo May 2024

The Need For Volunteer Engagement, Brittney Portillo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Although there are a large number of non-profit organizations and volunteer opportunities available, there is a lack of volunteer engagement within organizations making it difficult to complete mission goals. This project was implemented and completed by Community Builders for Monterey County executive director and intern. Community Builders for Monterey County is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that was created to connect volunteers to different non-profit organizations around Monterey County. This project was created with the purpose of assessing potential volunteer needs in a survey style form in order to better understand how to get volunteers more engaged. The project resulted in …


Unchecked Consumption? The Unbridled Access To Processed Foods In America, Jordan Perry May 2024

Unchecked Consumption? The Unbridled Access To Processed Foods In America, Jordan Perry

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Why are processed foods so readily available, and why does it seem like the government turns a blind eye to their harmful effects?


Food Literacy And Applying Learnings Towards English Literacy, Andrew Wirtz May 2024

Food Literacy And Applying Learnings Towards English Literacy, Andrew Wirtz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Food Literacy promotes the way people should consciously think about the food we ingest on a day-to-day basis. This paper explores how teachers can positively teach students how to be literate when it comes to food and how students can apply these learnings towards their English subject matter skills. This paper also explores how children from all economic backgrounds seek out highly processed foods (such as fast food) which are filled with various chemicals and additives, which in turn, can affect students' performance within the classroom in an negative manner.


Fueling Performance: Tailored Nutrition Strategies For Female Athletes, Capri Pezzella May 2024

Fueling Performance: Tailored Nutrition Strategies For Female Athletes, Capri Pezzella

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project aims to explore the unique nutritional considerations for female athletes, with a focus on optimizing performance and addressing specific physiological needs. Through comprehensive research, the project will identify strategies for optimizing iron intake to prevent anemia, managing calcium and vitamin D for bone health, and addressing menstrual cycle-related changes in energy expenditure and nutrient needs. Practical recommendations will be made to help female athletes maximize their potential and support their overall health.


Parenting A Child Who Has An Autistic Sibling: Effects On Adjustment And Mental Health, Jess Del Mundo May 2024

Parenting A Child Who Has An Autistic Sibling: Effects On Adjustment And Mental Health, Jess Del Mundo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on informing parents about the challenges and needs of siblings of children with autism. Parenting is a profound and meaningful responsibility, and having children with special needs adds to this daunting job. It is imperative for parents to nurture the development and awareness of all of their children, both neurodivergent and neurotypical. This workshop will give parents the tools to navigate this responsibility. I developed a workshop that first informs parents about the positive outcomes for children who have siblings with autism, such as higher levels of empathy and compassion. Second, I will address the challenges …


Sonidos De Aztlán: A Historical Analysis Of Chicano Music, Alejandro Gomez May 2024

Sonidos De Aztlán: A Historical Analysis Of Chicano Music, Alejandro Gomez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper analyzes music made primarily by Chicanos in the U.S. and social movements that the music was a part of. Case studies include the Zoot Suit Riots, the Delano Grape Strike, The Chicano Movement, Tejano/Conjunto and Tex-Mex, Narcocorridos, and the Chicanx Renaissance.


Genetically Modified Organisms: Progress Or Blight?, Martin Lopez May 2024

Genetically Modified Organisms: Progress Or Blight?, Martin Lopez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project explores the origins of genetically modified organisms otherwise known as GMOs. This project also seeks to provide in detail the harmful effects GMO crops could potentially have on human beings and the environment's biodiversity. It is with hope that this project is able to educate and encourage the public on other alternatives for food sources such as, farmers' markets, plant breeding, and at home gardening.


Voices From The Inside: Enhancing Co-Teaching Experiences Through Student Perspectives At 'Small University', Hope Brightman May 2024

Voices From The Inside: Enhancing Co-Teaching Experiences Through Student Perspectives At 'Small University', Hope Brightman

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this capstone project, the researchers investigated how students in the credential program at ‘Small University’ on the coast of California viewed their co- teaching credential experience and what they think could be done to improve it. An evidence based argument is offered that co-teaching be improved to be more equitable for students. Considerations of the issue should include the perspectives of credential program students. Expected benefits included an opportunity for participants to reflect on the co-teaching credential program at “Small University” and provide concrete suggestions for improvement that may be translated into action. Three themes emerged from an analysis …


Music Isn’T Just A Special: Amplifying Music's Power In Fostering Social-Emotional Skills In Students, Angelina Davis May 2024

Music Isn’T Just A Special: Amplifying Music's Power In Fostering Social-Emotional Skills In Students, Angelina Davis

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researcher investigated how Dream Academy and Little Foot Elementary educators view music's impacts on social-emotional learning and what they thought could be done to improve it. Based on an analysis of the data and the relevant research literature, the researcher used what they have learned to formulate an action that responds to the impact of music on social-emotional learning in a way that inspires, informs, or involves a particular audience. This is an important issue for students and teachers because music education allows educators to teach social-emotional skills. It is argued that music fosters social-emotional …


Effects Of Bullying On Elementary School Students, Deivid Joel Perez May 2024

Effects Of Bullying On Elementary School Students, Deivid Joel Perez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In the United States there are many schools, no matter the grade level, who still to this day struggle with dealing with bullies in their schools. This is something that is very concerning especially at the elementary level due to the fact that they are experiencing very strong emotions at a young age. With this in mind, school members such as teachers and administrators need to come up with a solution to resolve or lower the chances students get bullied at their schools. Research has shown that bullying greatly affects students in many different ways that many wouldn't really think. …


Benefits Of Early Childhood Education On Later Adult Life, Chelsie N. Jones May 2024

Benefits Of Early Childhood Education On Later Adult Life, Chelsie N. Jones

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

It has been proven that the first five years of a child’s life are a critical development period, but there are currently no federal mandates requiring families to enroll their children in an Early Childhood Education program before entering kindergarten. There are many benefits for children attending a head start, preschool, or transitional kindergarten program, such as developing social skills and emotional competence, closing academic achievement gaps, and ensuring children are exposed to proper environmental enrichment that supports a range of early skills such as social, cognitive, and executive function skills. But how does early childhood education impact later adult …


Reimagining Inclusion: Shaping The Future Of Special Education Engagement, Sulema Fernandez-Castillo May 2024

Reimagining Inclusion: Shaping The Future Of Special Education Engagement, Sulema Fernandez-Castillo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researchers investigated how special education teachers, general education teachers, and a behavioral technician at Landscape Elementary view student engagement and what they think could be done to improve it. This is important because students with special needs deserve quality education that revolves around equity. It is argued that special education teachers require increased support that empowers them to effectively engage students and promote their learning. The primary stakeholder perspectives chosen were three general education teachers, two special education teachers, and one behavioral technician, because they all have experience in working with students with special needs. …


Self-Care Techniques To Decrease Special Education Teacher Burnout, Carrie Frost May 2024

Self-Care Techniques To Decrease Special Education Teacher Burnout, Carrie Frost

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focal topic of my capstone project is special education teacher burnout and how self-care techniques can reduce the likelihood of chronic stress and burnout. The challenges of being a special education teacher include but are not limited to, various disabilities and behaviors, lack of classroom and administration support, and overall management. Research conducted by Emery and Vandenberg (2010) stated that special education teachers often experience burnout, which commonly leads to employee attrition. Burnout and the personal stress that comes with it are the biggest contributors to the shortage of qualified special educators throughout the United States. Their challenges involve …


The Good, The Bad, And The In Between: The Effects Of Covid-19 And Remote Learning, Samantha Anastasio May 2024

The Good, The Bad, And The In Between: The Effects Of Covid-19 And Remote Learning, Samantha Anastasio

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This Capstone Project delves into the perspectives of Bay High School teachers regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning on students' education. Through a thorough analysis of interviews and relevant research, the study aims to address and mitigate the learning setbacks experienced by students during this challenging period. With a focus on the two-year learning gap caused by remote learning and school closures, the researchers highlight the significance of understanding teachers' firsthand experiences and insights. They argue that the implementation of effective tutoring programs emerges as the most promising approach to bridge the education gap and support …


The Forgotten Subject: Pe And The Power Of People, Shea Franklin May 2024

The Forgotten Subject: Pe And The Power Of People, Shea Franklin

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project focused on student engagement in PE at the middle school level. Student engagement is so meaningful because even though physical education is supposed to educate kids to be physically active while being active in practice, quite the opposite is happening. Middle school is the point at which students begin to lose interest in PE, viewing it as repetitive and pointless, which is why it is so essential to make this forgotten subject fun again. After survey and interviewing students and staff members participating in physical education at a local middle school in Marina, three themes emerged from the …


The Outdoor Classroom: Integrating The Outdoors Into The Classroom, Wendy Ramirez May 2024

The Outdoor Classroom: Integrating The Outdoors Into The Classroom, Wendy Ramirez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This Capstone Project explores the potential benefits of outdoor learning in enhancing student engagement and hopefully reducing the negative effects of excessive screen time. The researcher obtained the perspectives of teachers, a principal, and a director of an outdoor education organization from “Golden Eagle Elementary” to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue. The study's findings, combined with an analysis of relevant research literature, underscore the significance of outdoor learning in preventing developmental delays and fostering a healthy learning environment. To advocate for change and raise awareness, the researcher utilized their findings to engage various stakeholders, emphasizing the positive outcomes …


Benefits Of Environmental Education For Low-Income Elementary School Students, Victoria Denoyer May 2024

Benefits Of Environmental Education For Low-Income Elementary School Students, Victoria Denoyer

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This study analyzes the benefits of environmental education for low-income elementary school students. As the world is seeing a turbulent downfall in the state of the environment, fostering a healthy and eager generation to find solutions to this crisis is essential. Through analysis using a literature review and qualitative interviews and surveys with in-service teachers and outreach educators, the results determine there are benefits to implementing environmental education for low-income elementary school students. These benefits extend beyond environmental agency and profoundly impact the cognitive, mental, and physical development of low-income students.


Nuestro Futuro: Exploring Perspectives About Cultivating Bilingual & Bicultural Latinx Educators In California, Jaime Garcia Ramirez May 2024

Nuestro Futuro: Exploring Perspectives About Cultivating Bilingual & Bicultural Latinx Educators In California, Jaime Garcia Ramirez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In response to the nationwide effort to cultivate, recruit, and retain qualified bilingual and bicultural Latinx teachers and the growing demand for bilingual education in California, this qualitative study explores the perceptions of teacher educators at University X. The research considers the significant presence of emergent bilingual learners (EBLs), the increasing Latinx population, teacher shortages, and high attrition rates. The study aims to investigate how University X educators and teachers perceive initiatives designed to increase the number of bilingual and bicultural Latinx educators and their suggestions for improvement. Through a comprehensive analysis of collected data and an extensive review of …


Increasing Preschool Children’S Scientific Inquiry, Dianna Leon May 2024

Increasing Preschool Children’S Scientific Inquiry, Dianna Leon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focused on increasing scientific inquiry in young children. The problem that exists is that there is not enough focus on scientific learning in preschool settings compared to school settings with older age groups. According to Dejarnette (2018), young children can learn about science and are naturally curious, making them natural scientists. Science curriculum has many benefits for children, such as the development of observation, documentation, investigation, communication, and literacy skills. Science curriculum can create curiosity and enjoyment in young children while they learn about the world around them, creating a lifelong interest in learning (Larimore, 2020). Exciting …


Cultivating Awareness And The Importance Of Engaging High School Students In Food Justice Through Literary Exploration, Yeymi Rivera May 2024

Cultivating Awareness And The Importance Of Engaging High School Students In Food Justice Through Literary Exploration, Yeymi Rivera

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

To address social justice concerns, this essay explores the relationship between literature and food justice. Primarily, concentrating on utilizing literature as a teaching tool in the high school curriculum to focus on food inequalities. The main goal is to educate students and spread awareness of social injustice, encourage critical thinking, and help them to comprehend the concepts of food security and food access. Comparative narratives are expressed through literary works that captivate a large audience and make people think about difficult issues like food access, food security, food insecurity, and food deserts. In addition, I will design a lesson plan …


Bullying Prevention In A Preschool Setting, Audrey Garcia May 2024

Bullying Prevention In A Preschool Setting, Audrey Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on anti-bullying and bullying prevention in early childhood education settings. Bullying is something that plagues schools across America. However, bullying in an early education setting can be difficult to distinguish because it can be misinterpreted as children discovering how to express negative emotions. According to Saracho (2016), preventing bullying in a preschool setting is important because it is a child’s first social environment outside the home. Educating children on bullying and how to prevent it in an early education setting is important because this is their first experience with peers and potential conflicts amongst these peers. …


Informing Adolescents About Potential Internet Risks And Tools For Safely Navigating Online Spaces, Rhiannon Jean Elliot May 2024

Informing Adolescents About Potential Internet Risks And Tools For Safely Navigating Online Spaces, Rhiannon Jean Elliot

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on digital safety for adolescents who have already been or are accessing online spaces for the first time. Adolescents today have been growing up in the age of technology and are likely to have had access to digital devices, such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and gaming consoles, from a much younger age than previous generations. Today, 96% of teens in the U.S. say they use the internet daily, with about 95% of teens reporting having a smartphone (Faverio & Sidoti, 2024). With adolescents accessing the internet more often, they must understand the risks they may encounter …