Education Commons^™

Exploring High School Students’ Perceptions Of The Influence Of Fine Arts Education On Academic Achievement, Samantha Fields

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

This qualitative study aims to explore student perceptions of fine arts exposure on academic achievement in a southwestern Georgia high school. The study focuses specifically on exposure time and how it affects students academically. Qualitative research methods were used for this investigation. Information was collected through questionnaires, interviews, and artifacts analysis to better understand student perceptions of how fine arts education impacts their personal growth and academic success. This study’s findings provide insights about discovering students’ perceptions of fine arts exposure in relation to personal academic achievement. The results of this investigation can help educate stakeholders and policymakers as they …

The Impact Of A Design-Based Engineering Curriculum On High School Biology: Evaluating Academic Achievement And Student Perceptions Of Epistemology, Self-Efficacy, And Self-Determination In Life Science, Courtney Cox

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

Integration of the engineering design process (EDP) into the high school biology classroom may improve academic achievement, alter epistemological beliefs about learning science, and positively influence student perceptions of science self-efficacy and self-determination. This quasi-experimental research study tested these claims by implementing an EDP curriculum within two honors biology classes (n=36) at an independent high school in a large urban city in the Southeastern United States. Two additional honors biology courses at the school (n=34) were instructed using the department's traditional curricular resources. Achievement data were collected from both groups and compared for statically significant differences using independent t-tests …

Teachers’ Burnout Experience In A Title I Suburban Elementary School, Shakoiya Aiken

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

This qualitative case study focused on the experiences of Title I suburban elementary school teachers in the Southeastern United States. The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the reasons why teachers in Title I suburban schools experience burnout and how their burnout manifests. I also conducted this study to fill the gap in the literature and gain insight on the specific supports and strategies that Title I suburban school teachers need to help manage or eliminate their burnout. The theoretical framework that informed this study was the Burnout Theory. Several data gathering techniques (interview, reflective …

Teacher Perceptions Of Collaborative Practices In A Rural High School Setting: Case Study, Leah Slimp

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

The purpose of the qualitative case study was to investigate how teachers in a rural high school setting perceived collaborative practices. The case study examined and analyzed the outcomes of teachers’ learning through a personal connection to professional growth through weekly collaborative planning meetings and professional learning communities. Four collaborative groups of SPED and general education teachers from Geometry, 9^th Grade Literature, and Biology, and U.S. History within Rural High School originally were asked to participate in the study. The study concluded with participants in the content areas from Geometry, 9^th Grade Literature, and Biology. A total of …

Cultivating Culturally Responsive Elementary Teachers In A Suburban Title I School, Angela L. Mack

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

Research suggests increased enrollment of students with diverse cultural, racial, linguistic, and social backgrounds will continue in schools across the United States over the coming years; thereby, imposing a challenge for some teachers with differing backgrounds to instruct culturally and linguistically diverse students. Without adequate professional development focused on culturally responsive teaching, it has been purported teachers will continue to adopt deficit perceptions and subpar practices that negatively impact students of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Thus, this study aimed to explore how a series of in-service professional development focused on culture, race, and pedagogy may influence teacher perceptions and …

From Teacher To Teacher-Leader: A Phenomenographic Study Of Transition, Jennifer Santi

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

As Education evolves, the roles within traditional teaching and learning also evolve. School structures change and leadership roles within those structures change as well, creating and recreating the educational experience for students and practitioners alike. As these structures change the nature of education, the roles found within them also transform what it means to be a professional educator. Increases in teacher-leadership positions have led to more instructional coaching roles for teachers and it is necessary to understand how those roles are perceived by those that are now changing the nature of their chosen work. As teachers leave the classroom to …

Examine The Mediating Effect Of Coaching Mentoring Programs On Teacher Burnout, Crystal Wright

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

The World Health Organization has included “Burnout” in the International Classification of Diseases as an occupational phenomenon (World Health Organization, 2019). This phenomenon in teaching profession has created devastating attrition that urgently needs attention. The purpose of this study is to provide insight on how to address the negative issue of teacher attrition through examining how teacher leaders may affect teacher burnout during the coaching mentoring experience. An online questionnaire was employed to collect data from 82 teachers in a coastal Georgia school district; including teachers who had participated in a coaching mentoring program (n=51), teachers who hadn’t participated in …

The Use Of E-Books, Computers, And Tablets To Enhance Reading Skills, Nicole B. Ingram

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to identify teacher’s opinions of technology and its usage with reading instruction. The study explored teachers’ use of e-books, computers (reading programs), and tablets to enhance reading skills. Specifically, the researcher wanted to investigate elementary teachers’ beliefs regarding the use of e-books (electronic books), computers (reading programs), and tablets for enhancing reading skills with students who struggle with reading. To determine the impact of e-books, computers, and tablets on reading practices, data were collected from four urban elementary teachers in a southeastern school district. The research was conducted using surveys, interviews, and observations.

Teacher Leaders’ Experiences And Perceptions From Program To Practice, Carolynn Stoddard

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

Most studies dedicated to investigating teacher leadership has focused on the impact teacher leaders (TLs) have with professional development and enhancing other teachers' performances or conquering a school's improvement plan. Few studies have set out to explore the impact preparatory teacher leadership programs have on the TLs. There is also a minimal amount of studies discussing the influence TLs feel they are having at their schools and the effects of becoming a teacher leader. This qualitative survey study focused on the first-hand experiences of seven pre-K-12th grade TLs within the southeastern region of the United States. The method of data …

Student Self Perception Of The Benefits Of Service Learning In An Alternative Education Program, Barbara Fuqua

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to explore the benefits of implementing service learning projects in an alternative education program serving 80% African American students. The study attempted to determine if service learning participation influences students’ learning attitude, learning behaviors and social skills while completing course work in the alternative school setting. The focus of the research was on middle and high school African American students attending an alternative education program in rural southeast United States.

The main question that guided this study was: How do students perceive that service learning influences students’ learning attitude, learning behaviors and social skills …

Cognitively Guided Instruction In Elementary Mathematics: Understanding Factors That Influence Classroom Implementation, Teresa A. Conowal

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

This study focused on the teaching technique known as cognitively guided instruction (CGI), through which teachers explore the individual learning styles of their students and use the information they gather to teach more complex concepts more effectively. The focus of this study was on 10 elementary mathematics teachers, with the goal of gaining a deeper understanding of the reasons they are making limited use of CGI techniques in their classrooms. The study used interviews and classroom observations of the 10 participants to identify the factors influencing their willingness or reluctance to apply CGI techniques to their instructional practices. The study …

Perceptions In A Changing World: Teachers' Attitudes Towards The Implementation Of Educational Innovations With A Focus On Social And Emotional Learning, Tiana Holmes

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ attitudes toward the implementation of educational innovations - with an explicit focus on social and emotional learning (SEL) and new teacher mentor (NTM) programs. Because teachers are primarily responsible for absorbing new information and implementing educational programs directly to students, their attitudes may influence how the program is perceived, the program’s delivery, and may also impact the program’s outcomes. Support for novice teachers is often regarded as necessary and warranted in many schools, and researchers unfailingly reveal findings that demonstrate the effectiveness of SEL; specifically in traditional school settings (Slaten, Irby, …

Teacher Perceptions Of School-Based And District Professional Development, Ashley Kennedy

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

Professional development is a leading topic of discussion in the field of education. Because teachers are responsible for implementing relevant instructional practices, meeting the instructional needs of students, and taking ownership of their professional development goals, understanding teacher perceptions of school-based and district level professional development is critical. The purpose of this study was to investigate how K-12 teachers perceive school-based and district professional development. This study aimed to answer three questions: How do teachers perceive school-based and district professional development? What types of professional development experiences do teachers find effective? Do recent professional development experiences influence how teachers collaborate …