Human-Centred Leadership In Higher Education Student Services: Strategies For Preserving A Values-Driven Team Culture During Organizational Change, Christine A. Klaray

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

In the dynamic Canadian higher education landscape, leaders of student services units face mounting pressures to ensure teams remain agile, responsive, and efficient while meeting students' needs. By nurturing a values-driven team culture characterized by shared beliefs, values, and assumptions, leaders cultivate thriving work environments that mitigate risks associated with staff burnout and attrition, while safeguarding against the shift towards transactional operations over student-centric approaches. The student services team described in this dissertation-in-practice (DiP) is preparing for the transition to a new institution-wide student software system, and staff expressed concerns about preserving the team’s core values amid increased workload and …

Bridging Policy-Curriculum-Accommodations: A Nursing Education Initiative, Ketsa Maceus

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Supporting student academic accommodations (AAs) is an increasingly prevalent challenge for post-secondary nursing instructors in Ontario, with the growing number of students in nursing programs with mental health or medical disabilities. Historically, nursing programs have denied access to potential students with disabilities; today, the rigorous nursing program structure and the lack of support for instructors remain realities, even with the Ontario Human Rights Code and administrators' policies. The nursing faculty team (NFT) at Top College (TC) (pseudonym) must uphold educational and clinical expectations while assuring student competencies and curriculum integrity. In this comprehensive dissertation-in-practice (DiP), I explore bridging gaps in …

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 …

Examining Systems To Improve Third Grade Literacy: Focus On Schools With High Poverty Index, Brenda Kelley

Theses and Dissertations

This improvement project was designed to ensure students enrolled in elementary schools with a high poverty index received literacy instructional strategies that promoted literacy achievement. When analyzing Graham County School data, I noticed third-grade students attending high poverty elementary schools were not achieving literacy success at the same rate as third-grade students attending low poverty elementary schools. An improvement team, consisting of myself, administration, and teachers at a high poverty elementary school implemented the improvement science framework to further study the root causes of this problem. Utilizing the six principles of the improvement science framework, problem focused and user centered, …

Continuous Improvement Of Schools: Providing Opportunities For 3rd Grade Growth Through Pdsa Cycles In Professional Learning Communities, Jason Koepke

Theses and Dissertations

When observing and consistently hearing about the obstacles that our current public educational system is facing, many are left wondering what can be done to produce genuine, significant, and continuous improvement. Upon deeper analysis of educational systems, one can see that there are many areas in need of systems improvement. SOAR School is a Pre-K-5 school that has experienced underperforming student achievement outcomes. This study was a collaborative approach to the current educational system. SOAR School used the data from universal screeners and progress monitoring assessments to drive the professional learning communities within the school. SOAR School had never experienced …

Improving Equity In Communication: Building Collaborative Partnerships Between Teachers And Spoken Language Interpreters, Angela J. Rush

Theses and Dissertations

In today’s increasingly diverse educational landscape, equitable communication is essential for fostering meaningful parent engagement and ensuring all students have an equal opportunity for a comprehensive education. However, language barriers can pose significant challenges for English Learner/Emergent Bilingual students and parents in the educational context. This improvement study underscores the crucial need for educational systems to address language barriers through targeted support mechanisms, such as quality language access services. The study draws upon the principles of improvement science to design, implement, and examine the transformative potential of a professional development program to enhance collaboration between teachers and interpreters and inform …

Effects Of A Classroom Cognitive Apprenticeship On Scientific Reasoning, Student Agency, And Biology Self-Efficacy On Students In High School Biology, Anne Morris Byford

Theses and Dissertations

Students entering high school often bring misconceptions about the nature of science and experimentation with them from middle school. Many also bring a belief that they are not a “science kid” and, therefore, cannot be a strong student in Biology. This belief can lead to a lack of self-efficacy and of student agency in the classroom. Exposure to authentic research experiences has been shown to increase in self-efficacy and scientific reasoning. Typical research experiences have been limited to summers, specialized after school programs and, in many cases, honors students. To circumvent the unequitable access to these experiences and to determine …

The Heart Of School Leadership: Supporting The Health & Well-Being Of Teachers In The Face Of Occupational Pressures, Lindsay Avramovic

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP) investigates the Problem of Practice (PoP) regarding the growing concern for teacher health and well-being within Prairie Land Catholic School (PLCS), a K-9 school in southern Alberta. Teachers at PLCS are facing increased demands, including implementing new curricula, addressing growing student complexities, and managing additional administrative duties, leading to feelings of fatigue, stress, and burnout. The persistent workload demands, compounded by limited resources and support, exacerbate feelings of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced self-efficacy. By imploring the Heart of Leadership, encompassing servant leadership, compassionate leadership, and transformative leadership principles, the intent is to analyze the interplay between …

Crisis Management: Addressing The Impact Of Insufficient Resources And Supports On Middle School Students' Mental Health, David G. Sparrow

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP) addresses a problem of practice which is an urgent need for enhanced mental health supports at Alpine Prairie Middle School (APMS) within the Western Canadian School District (WCSD). Amidst resource and budgetary constraints, this study explores holistically informed strategies grounded in the principal's positionality and grounded by critical theory. This DiP focusses on transformative and distributed leadership approaches, considering the school as a complex adaptive system. A leadership framework integrates critical theory, transformative leadership, distributed leadership, and pragmatism to effectively lead the change process. The implementation plan includes a four-step change model: awakening, mobilization, acceleration, and institutionalization, …

Victim-Centred Policing: A Strategy For Effective Planning And Response To Mass Victimization Incidents, Karen D. Collins

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

It is becoming increasingly important for police departments to develop internal capacity to address the needs of crime victims who are affected by serious incidents such as active shooters or terrorist attacks. Supporting the family and friends of victims, witnesses and others affected by a tragic incident is a key function of the investigating police agency. Victims seek information and require support from police investigators through all phases of the response. This dissertation-in-practice addresses the lack of refined victim-centred practices in planning for, and responding to mass victimization incidents at the X Police Department (a pseudonym). Adaptive and ethical leadership …

Encouraging A Sustainable Model For Professional Learning: Implementing District Wide Initiatives As An External Consultant In The United States, Vicente C. Bustamante

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Effectuating the adoption of research proven instructional practices across the classrooms of an entire school district is a dauting task. Traditionally, the incorporation of external consultants has been met with mixed responses particularly when it involves teacher professional learning and the sustainability of learned practices in the classroom. This Dissertation-in-Practice seeks to understand the complex relationship that exists when external consultants partner with school districts to assist in the adoption and implementation of instructional practices across an entire organization. Through the incorporation of instructional and transformational leadership lenses, the role of the external consultant is leveraged as a mechanism to …

Improving The Educational Experience Of Students With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (Fasd), Sarah E. Bates

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is recognized as one of the leading causes of developmental disability in the Western world (Flannigan et al., 2018). Its prevalence is estimated at 4% of the population. This implies that approximately 4% of students have FASD, which in turn means that they may face elevated risks of encountering learning and behavioural challenges. These difficulties may manifest as developmental disabilities and speech-language deficits, often necessitating specialized educational interventions. (Flannigan et al., 2018; Chudley et al., 2005; Popova et al., 2016). As such, this Dissertation-in-Practice presents educators in the Silver Maple District School Board (a pseudonym) …

Learning To Lead: Leadership Development For Academic Administrators At A Canadian Community College, Brian Edward Benoit

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Abstract

This Dissertation-in-Practice addresses the Problem of Practice of a lack of intentional leadership development for academic administrators at College X (a pseudonym), a comprehensive community college in western Canada. Academic administrators typically come from the ranks of faculty. As Academic administrators, they serve particular functions and roles within the organization, functions and roles that are in many ways distinct from their previous work as faculty members. Academic administrators often lack the management and leadership knowledge or experience to prepare them for their roles and careers. The absence of adequate leadership development opportunities often contributes to low job satisfaction, burnout, …

Embracing Mindfulness-Based Professional Development In Early Childhood Education, Drew Giles

Dissertations

There is a growing need for school districts to identify additional strategies to support the work-related stress and emotional labor ingrained in an early educator’s career. By orienting early childhood education (ECE) staff to mindfulness practices, education leaders may identify new approaches to assist early childhood educators’ well-being, building healthy work atmospheres, and activities to shift the culture in early childhood settings. This study employs a qualitative exploratory research design, specifically video documentary methodology to better understand how early childhood educators experience a mindfulness-based professional development (MBPD) program designed for ECE staff, explore what they say education leaders should know …

Teacher And Student Perspectives Of Technology Use In Elementary School Classrooms, Anthony Oskar Alvarado

Dissertations

This study explored student and teacher perspectives of technology use at Franklin Elementary School in South San José, CA, using qualitative, quantitative, and observational methods, including interviews, observations, and surveys. Thirteen teachers responded to a survey on educational technology use. Among this group, eleven provided interviews, and nine invited classroom observations from 1st through 6th grades. Additionally, sixty-nine 3rd to 6th-grade students were surveyed about their views on technology use. The study found that technology use in teaching is widespread and integral, not just an add-on. Observations and teacher interviews showed high engagement and interest in technology tools, primarily supporting …

History Education: Learning History From Community College Students’ Perspectives, Mylinh V. Pham

Dissertations

Given the current political climate of division, the study of history is important now more than ever, but the value of the study of history has been marginalized. This study used student focus groups to understand ways in which history could be taught in such a way that its importance is emphasized through relevance and connection to current social and political issues and through student-centered learning. This study also determined how history could help students evaluate and think critically about historical content. This study drew on the experiences of community college students who have taken a higher education history course …

What Can We Do To Help? Understanding Policies And Practices Of Schools Related To Unexcused Absences, Shelly K. Masur

Dissertations

School absences figure prominently in student success. It makes sense that students who are in school have a better chance of learning and growing and when they aren’t there, they don’t benefit from what schools have to offer. But when absences are marked unexcused the consequences could be significant, further hindering school success for students. Looking at racial dimensions of attendance could provide an important element to our understanding. This study reviews the literature on student attendance, the history of attendance policy, racial and ethnic dimensions of student attendance policy and how it is applied, and the impact of leadership …

Measuring Critical Mentoring: Understanding How Differences In Staff Beliefs Affect Peer Mentoring Implementation In The Csu, Lauren E. Reagan

Dissertations

Self-reported positive effects of peer mentoring for mentors and mentees have included enhanced academic performance, greater sense of belonging, and retention, among other widely accepted benefits of the intervention. However, minimal quantitative or mixed methods research has focused on mentoring staff who design, implement, and therefore heavily influence these programs. This mixed-methods study sought to articulate which factors relate to staff beliefs on peer mentoring in California’s largest public higher education system, the California State University. The first purpose of this study was to articulate which facets relate to or contribute to beliefs on a spectrum of mentoring perspectives, from …

Con Respeto Y Dignidad: Transforming Educational Experiences For Students Of Color By Addressing Disproportionate Discipline Practices, Selene Munoz

Dissertations

Discipline practices wield significant influence over the social dynamics within educational settings and profoundly impact students’ ability to attain academic and social gains crucial for their success. The racialization of school discipline has been linked to negative effects on student’s academic trajectories and life outcomes. Consequently, school administrators can play a crucial role in effecting cultural change within their organizations to support disciplinary practices that uphold students’ educational dignity. This study looked at the strategies employed by secondary level administrators to shift their school cultures aimed at addressing disproportionate disciplinary practices. Using a mixed methods approach, this study draws upon …

Leading With An Intercultural Mindset: Leadership Development Programs For International Students, Keri A. Toma Loehrer

Dissertations

This mixed methods study explored co-curricular student leadership development programs that included intercultural learning and were designed for international students studying at higher education institutions in the United States. The study aimed to better understand: (a) common program characteristics; (b) program administrator perceptions; and (c) the international student experience. Data was collected in a two-phase explanatory sequential design, involving surveys and semi-structured interviews. Six main content areas across all programs were identified: (a) diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); (b) global engagement; (c) intercultural learning; (d) leadership development; (e) personal and professional development; and (f) supporting the international community. Administrators generally …

Coaching And Developing Non-Certified Instructional Staff In Key Literacy Practices, Holly Nicole Bigos

Culminating Experience Projects

Paraprofessionals are vital staff members of elementary schools that often provide small group instruction for struggling students to develop key literacy skills. Despite the critical contribution paraprofessionals can provide, schools often neglect to adequately train and develop these staff members to support students’ instructional literacy needs. This project explores the relevant history of paraprofessional staff in schools and the current need for increased development and support of these staff members. Additionally, modern sustainable solutions are explored to develop paraprofessional literacy knowledge and instructional skills for these vital staff members. Programming recommendations are grounded in adult learning theory, feedback and coaching, …

Mino-Bimaadiziwin: Reindigenizing Through Land-Based Learning, Lindy P. Henderson

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation’s 62^nd and 63^rd Calls to Action, the author takes a servant leadership approach to embedding Indigenous knowledge to the K-12 classrooms in Ontario with a focus on reIndigenizing through land-based learning. Student well-being and achievement data show Indigenous students in both provincial and Indigenous community schools are below that of their non-Indigenous peers, and the impact of residential schools continues in Treaty 3 territory is an intergenerational crisis that demands immediate attention and shift for educational leadership. As a Métis scholarly practitioner, the author centres Indigenous research and personal positionality in …

Kaykwy Wii Ooshihtaayen Dimayn? What Will You Do Tomorrow? Strengthening Indigenous Leadership Capacity To Influence School Culture And Student Achievement, Shelly Hopper

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

There continues to be a dichotomy that exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous academic success within Canada. Within a public education context, this Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP) will address how the lack of preparation for school leaders to effectively incorporate Indigenous leadership approaches, impacts the ability to positively support school culture and achievement for Indigenous youth. Focusing specifically on the Truth and Reconciliation Committee Calls to Action 62 and 63, this DiP will explore the ways in which leaders in schools can support the inclusion of Indigenous ways of knowing within their leadership roles. Existing within a critical paradigm, the DiP will incorporate …

Undocumented And Unsupported: How College Students Navigate To Meet Their Basic Needs, Mario Alberto Gonzalez

Master's Theses

The cost of attendance at colleges and universities across the United States has risen exponentially year after year. Among these costs include tuition, lodging, food, textbooks, academic materials, and health care, many of which are considered “basic needs” that are ultimately essential for human survival. At the same time, certain groups of students continue to be marginalized and presented with additional barriers in accessing higher education in equitable ways. Undocumented students are one of these groups of students, and are the focus of this study. Although the passage of DACA in 2012 presented opportunities for approximately 800,000 undocumented students, it …

Equity-Driven Change Action: Reimagining Assessment And Evaluation Practices In Middle School, Angela Condon

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Traditional assessment and evaluation (AE) practices do not enable equitable learning experiences, outcomes, or opportunities for all students, nor do they reflect coherence with the redesigned provincial curriculum. This Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP) details change action focused on addressing this problem of practice (PoP): the lack of coherence between curricular intentions and AE practices at BC Middle School (BCMS, a pseudonym). The DiP details past school improvement efforts to shift away from letter-grade/percentage driven AE towards assessment of learning using competency-based proficiency language as well as themes that emerged requiring further attention: a lack of Indigenous partner group voices in shaping change …

Promoting Equitable And Holistic Education: The Role Of Arts Education And Whole Child Policy In Unleashing Potential And Advancing Progress, Collette Ain Williams Alleyne

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Inclusive arts education policy considers the arts a viable entry point to a holistic educational experience. It encourages educators to engage with students on a social and emotional level. Several studies have explored challenges with policy implementation that identify educators' interpretation of policy or assimilation to existing policy as a barrier to the full actualization of policy. Through a rigorous convergent mixed-methods study using convenience sampling, I present a thorough analysis of data that reflects internalized values, beliefs, and ideas. Seven contributors, five educational leaders, and two alumni completed interviews, and twenty-one educational leaders completed surveys utilizing Qualtrics (www.qualtrics.com/), a …

Empowering Faculty To Support International Students To Overcome The Academic Challenges Faced In Higher Education, Wilson Javier Vasquez Calderon

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

The landscape of higher education is increasingly globalized with greater mobilization of international students (IS), which in turn requires the most effective teaching practices. Canada is a country with the most rapidly growing IS population that face multiple challenges. The realities faced by IS are different than those of domestic students. These facts compel the faculty to enhance their teaching practices and leadership role as pivotal components in addressing the learning needs of IS, while supporting them to overcome academic challenges. In this Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP), I investigate the lack of means of faculty to address the academic challenges faced by …

Perceptions Of The Differing Preparatory Needs Of Teacher Leaders And Educational Leaders, Kimberly Green

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the differing preparatory needs of teacher leaders and educational leaders through a phenomenographic approach, identifying unique and overlapping elements of these two leadership domains. Grounded in Adult Learning Theory, the study emphasizes self-directed learning and practical knowledge for professional development. Thematic findings reveal that Teacher Leadership Preparation Programs are primarily research-based on the practitioner’s perspective, offering insights grounded in classroom experience, while Educational Leadership Preparation Programs focus on developing supervisory skills for school and district leadership roles. This highlights the different focal points in leadership training, with teacher leadership prioritizing mentorship and educational leadership focusing on supervision. …

An Evaluation Of Authenticity: A Content Analysis Of K-6 Mandarin Matrix Textbooks For Chinese Dual Language Immersion Programs, Hsiaomei Tsai

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Authentic texts are suggested for building practical language skills that go beyond the classroom, helping language learners to communicate with native speakers. This study used content analysis and a teacher survey to examine how the Utah Chinese Dual Language Immersion (DLI) literacy curriculum, featuring the Grades K-6 Mandarin Matrix textbooks, reflects realistic Chinese language and culture. Additionally, this study explored the pedagogical value of these textbooks in Utah’s Chinese DLI programs via a teacher survey. The results showed high linguistic authenticity in word usage, order, and situations, consistently above 99% across Grades K to 6 books. Cultural authenticity, particularly in …

Examining Novice Teacher’S Perspectives On Mentoring Programs And Their Influence On Attrition, Lakeisha Ector

Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the perspectives of novice teachers on mentoring programs and their influence on attrition. Mentoring programs present opportunities for skilled educators to teach, sponsor, encourage and advise novices, improving their personal and professional development. The research determines whether mentoring and induction programs strengthen teacher efficacy and their influence on attrition rates. The study is rooted in constructivism, which seeks to develop an understanding and knowledge of individuals through their experiences and reflection. The research employs an inductive and deductive approach, facilitating pattern and theme identification. The study involves nine participants – novice teachers – from Martin-Ellison County …