Education Commons^™

Transformative Social Emotional Learning: A Call To Heal The Effects Of Racial Trauma On Identity And Self-Efficacy, Elizabeth Trostle

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Growing up I was never a child that loved school. I fell in love with learning in environments that did not look or feel like classrooms. And in 2005 I learned that I had a passion for learning about pedagogy. I entered the classroom again this time as a teacher, ready to engage students in learning. What I was offered was curriculum and learning standards that left little room for experiences. Despite my efforts, and after a decade of experience, I was still baffled by the resistance to learning.

I wanted to understand this because I saw that education—when you …

Making College Campuses Safer For Students Of Color, Lasheree Snyder

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This thesis will address the racial attitudes on college campuses that have a negative effect on students of color. More specifically, I will be shining light not only on the need for action within higher education, but also the long-term and short-term mental and physical damages that rob students of their right to an equal educational experience. Through the usage of Critical Action Research as my conceptual framework and methodology, it has allowed me to share the common power struggle and challenges that students of color face on college campuses today when dealing with racism and prejudice. I propose a …

Re-Forging Democracy In Schools Through The History Of American Social Movements, Jonathan Privado

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Democratic virtue and spirit are severely lacking in the traditional school setting. With so many threats to the planet, the nation, and democracy as a whole, direct action, and active civic engagement are more important than ever. The traditional social studies and history curriculums of schools, both sanitized and passive, often claim to prepare students for citizenry, but are actually ill preparing students for the challenge and the necessity of genuine civic engagement. In particular, one of the most egregious offenders within the domain of the social studies is the traditional American history curriculum. In most cases, as this study …

Exploring The Responsibilities Of Student Affairs Educators To Student Activists, Catia Rembert

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This thesis addresses the need for student affairs professionals to effectively support student activists. More specifically, entry and mid-level professionals need to develop and cultivate skills that will allow sustainable and meaningful support for student activists of color. Using a critical action research framework I analyzed the ways in which hierarchy affects the ability of student affairs professionals to provide effective advocacy and support. I propose a student led summer professional development series that shifts power dynamics from the student affairs professional to the student activist. An effective leader of this intervention would be someone who is immersed in activism …

Queering The University: Implementing A Systematic & Organizational Approach To Equity, Brian Moore

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Too often higher education educators take a lackadaisical approach to solutions surrounding negative queer and trans student experiences; however, educators hold an obligation to foster student success, retention, catalyze identity development, and maximize the human potential of queer and trans students. This master’s thesis develops a systematic and organizational approach to achieving an equitable campus for queer and trans student experience through a critical action research proposal. Utilizing my perspective as queer and trans educator and/or student, I will primarily use the philosophical lens of Friere, hooks, Foucault, and queer theory to support my philosophy of education. Theoretical frameworks from …

Deschooling Deficit Perspectives: An Exploration Of Culture And Place For Educators, Madison Dorschutz

West Chester University Master’s Theses

The purpose of this critical action research is to increase awareness of deficit perspectives that damages the academic outcomes of diverse students while offering approaches to address them. Theories of decolonialism, culturally responsive pedagogy, and place-based education will be discussed as they are able to pull back the raciallyinformed curtain of bias development. These theories come together in a 4-day series of workshops that seeks to inform educators of their damaging thinking in an effort to negate it before they enter their classrooms. Through reflection, cultural-perspective taking, and relationship building, educators can gain skills to acknowledge systems of oppression that …