Education Commons^™

Exemplary Middle Grades Teachers' Voices: Experiences With Using Texts For Instruction, Cheryl A. Richardson

Doctoral Dissertations

In recent years, educators in Tennessee have experienced changes in legislation that impact them daily. Laws that require educators to use curriculum materials from an approved list and that restrict teachers from supplementing these materials greatly impact student learning and success. This qualitative study examined exemplary middle grades language arts teachers' experiences with using texts and curriculum materials for instruction. Exemplary teachers in this study share their experiences with the use of texts and curriculum materials to meet the academic needs of their students.

Effectiveness Of Listening Passage Preview With Children Diagnosed With Adhd, David M. Castleman

Doctoral Dissertations

There are many common reading interventions used to help students improve a variety of reading skills including word recognition, decoding, and reading fluency. This study examines one of these interventions, Listening Passage Preview. Listening Passage Preview is a reading intervention that is aimed at increasing student oral reading fluency, by providing a model of a passage prior to the student reading it. As a commonly prescribed reading intervention, it is vital that researchers determine its effectiveness across differing populations of students. Within this study, we examined the effectiveness of Listening Passage Preview for students who are diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity …

The Nature Of Analyzing And Interpreting Data In 6-12 Science Education, Amanda Victoria Garner

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores the nature of analyzing and interpreting data in 6-12 science education, focusing on how it’s taught and how it can be improved to meet the demands of the 21st century. It examines instructional practices, challenges, and curriculum content to provide a comprehensive understanding of data literacy in secondary science education. It is structured as an introduction chapter, three research chapters, and a conclusion chapter, each addressing different aspects of data literacy. The second chapter investigates how 6-12 science teachers define and teach data analysis and interpretation. This study uses focus groups to gather insights into teachers' approaches …

Increasing Student Choice To Engage In Math By Altering The Frequency Of Interspersed Math Problems, Jared T. John

Doctoral Dissertations

Researchers have posited that the completion of problems on worksheets serves as a reinforcing event as outlined by the discrete task completion hypothesis. This hypothesis has been demonstrated through the additive interspersal procedure, in which educators can add brief problems to a worksheet to increase student preferences compared to a worksheet that contains no added problems. Previous research has supported these findings across participants; however, much of the previous research has been done with a single added brief problem for every third target problem on a worksheet. This study evaluates student preferences and rates of problem completion when the number …

Augmented Reality To Teach Activities Of Daily Living To Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities Who Live Independently, Michael Clinton Morrow

Doctoral Dissertations

Post-secondary educational opportunities continue to grow for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), with many providing options for independent living. This has increased the already high need to teach independent living skills to this population. Complex learning needs within this community of learners often necessitate unique teaching approaches. A single case, multiple probes across behaviors design was used to determine the effectiveness of an augmented reality (AR) video modeling system used on a mobile device as a learning approach. The goal of the study was to help participants living independently learn new skills and to determine the social acceptability …

Understanding The Perspectives And Experiences Of A Teacher Utilizing Trauma-Informed Strategies - A Qualitative Case Study, Matthew Scott Riddle

Doctoral Dissertations

This qualitative case study focuses on a high school teacher’s perspectives and experiences as she teaches students using trauma-informed strategies. The research questions focused on how the teacher conceptualizes building relationships through the use of trauma-informed strategies and what supports and/or challenges she receives from outside sources in teaching using those strategies. Data collected included a screening questionnaire for participant selection, semi-structured interviews, and field notes collected during classroom and whole day observations. The analysis focused on using data gathered from data collection along with literature to develop themes that answered the research questions posed.

Key findings identified several trauma-informed …

Andragogy, Accessibility, And Adult Esl: An Analysis Of English Language Teaching Curricula, Olivia Robyn Snow

Masters Theses

This thesis aims to provide a textual analysis of three major adult English Language Teaching (ELT) curricula used in voluntary English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching contexts. The three curricula focused upon in this study are Interchange, Side by Side Plus, and Step Forward, published respectively by Cambridge, Pearson, and Oxford University Press. Two textbooks from each curriculum, one at the A1 proficiency level and one from the B1+ level, were analyzed for their incorporation of the six principles of adult learning theory, or andragogy. Along with examining the use of andragogy, curricular adaptability and accessibility for faith-based programs, …

Emotion, Transformative Learning, And United States Air Force Leader Development, Nicholas Alexander Cary

Doctoral Dissertations

Leader development in the Air Force comprises a complex blend of deliberate education, training, and experience shaped by organizational culture and core values. Emotion, a frequently overlooked aspect of these elements and leader development, is often viewed as detracting from logical decision-making and sound leadership. However, emotion touches on every aspect of our lives, from how we experience life, what we learn, our passions and commitment, why we serve, and much more, but it remains underrepresented in leader development literature, particularly in the military context. Bridging the gap from emotion to leader development is experience, which fuels learning and can …

Understanding And Evaluating Components Of Performance Feedback And Behavior Skills Training To Support Teacher Candidates Via Remote Video Observation, Ashlee Smethers

Doctoral Dissertations

This pilot study focused on the experiences and perceptions of 60 teacher candidates from a large university in the Southeast United States. The researcher examined their use of remote video observations, performance feedback, and behavior skills training as a coaching strategy from their education preparation programs by university supervisors. The study involved the use of the researcher-developed Remote Video Observation and Performance Feedback Tool (RVO+PF Tool). Through factor analysis and statistical analyses, the researcher gained insights into the challenges of using remote video observation, the types and quality of performance feedback, and the components of coaching teacher candidates received. The …

The Effects Of A Computer-Based Phrase Reading Intervention On Word Reading In Postsecondary Students With Disabilities, Chelsea Sabrina Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations

Post-secondary students with intellectual and developmental disability have an increased presence on college and university campuses nationwide. Given the academic rigor required to succeed in college courses, students with Intellectual and Developmental Disability need support and explicit instruction to target specific skill deficits. This dissertation includes four-chapters. Chapter One is an overview of post-secondary education programs, reading challenges experienced by post-secondary students with disabilities, and whole-word reading interventions. Chapter Two describes a study in which a computer-based phrase reading intervention was used to increase course related vocabulary acquisition. Chapter Three describes a study in which a computer-based phrase reading intervention …

“Permission To Be Human”: A Narrative Inquiry Exploring New Counselors’ Growth In Emotional Awareness And Attunement To Self, Betsy Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations

The ability to self-attune, recognize emotional responses, and make meaning of these experiences within their own historied contexts is the foundation of the interpersonal work of counselors. Focused attention on affective development within a counseling program is essential to prepare future counselors for the task of helping individuals develop greater emotional awareness. Manuscript one includes a scoping review that seeks to map out current terminology used within counselor education related to affective development and explore how it is intentionally addressed in the counselor education literature. Current exploration of affective development within counselor education are discussed in seven emergent themes: Stress …

Moral Education Through Mass Art: Implementing Vanderpump Rules In The Modern Ethics Classroom, Madison A. Cosby

Masters Theses

In a world dominated by screens, professors more than ever need to diversify their pedagogical methods to compete for the tech-dependent students’ attention. In Section One, I argue the traditional method for teaching ethics does not cater to the modern student, thus to cultivate a more compassionate and ethical society, we should rethink how we conduct our ethics classes.

Traditional ethics classes rely too much on bizarre thought experiments, convoluted and abstract texts, and unstimulating lectures making them less effective at achieving their true purpose, i.e. cultivating what Martha Nussbaum (2010) calls the democratic citizen. I argue that Nussbaum’s narrative …

Identity Congruence Among Christian Coaches: A Grounded Theory Approach, Sean M. Strehlow

Movement and Being: The Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sports Studies

Despite the tight coupling between Christianity and American sport, empirical research has found a level of tension between the Christian identity and the moral culture of athletic competition (Bennet et al., 2005; Nite et al., 2013; Stevenson, 1991). Existing research has focused on the identity of the Christian athlete; however, there is scant empirical work on coaches who also claim a Christian faith and identity. The purpose of this grounded theory study is to better understand identity congruence as a process through which Christian coaches make sense of, and find coherence among, their Christian and professional identities. Qualitative data from …

An Orientation Towards Care In Occupational Therapy: A Theoretical Framework, Myah G. Beylotte

Movement and Being: The Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sports Studies

The purpose of this paper is to explore Ethic of Care (Gilligan, 1936; Noddings, 1984) in an occupational therapy (OT) setting and to determine if empathetic and relational care can provide greater patient outcomes. Ethic of Care (EoC), originally established by Gilligan (1936), is a moral orientation towards care that has been applied in the areas of education, nursing, sports coaching, and other popular professions (Fisher et al., 2017; Gano-Overway et al., 2009; Knust & Fisher, 2015; Lachman, 2012; Newton et al., 2007; Noddings, 2005; Schools, et al., 2020), but has not been widely researched in the field of OT. …

Developing Expressive Language Skills Of Deaf Students Through Specialized Writing Instruction, Kimberly A. Wolbers, Hannah Dostal, Leala Holcomb, Kelsey Kaylene Spurgin

Theory and Practice in Teacher Education Publications and Other Works

Writing is an essential element of literacy development, and language plays a central role in the composing process, including developing, organizing, and refining ideas. Language and writing are interconnected, making it paramount for educators to attend to the development of deaf students’ language skills. In this quasi-experimental study, we examined the impact of strategic and interactive pedagogical approaches, namely Strategic and Interactive Writing Instruction (SIWI), implemented with deaf students in grades 3-6 to develop genre-specific traits in their expressive language (spoken or signed) and writing. In this study, a total of 16 teachers and their 69 students participated in the …

From Academia To Action: The Aligncare Journey In Pet Health Equity, Michael J. Blackwell Dvm, Mph, Candice Hinkle Mba, Katy H. Carpenter, Linda Daugherty Mpa, T' Fisher, Kayla Anderson Mssw, Jamie Clanin Dvm, Brittany Permaul Mph, Beth Fagiola

Social Work Publications and Other Works

Imagine a future where every family, regardless of their financial situation, has access to the veterinary care their beloved pets need, along with essential services such as housing and transportation. In this vision of aligned communities, pets are recognized as integral family members, and their well-being is vital to the entire family's health and happiness. AlignCare offers a pathway to this future by providing a comprehensive, community based One Health system that aligns resources and services to support families holistically.

This report details the research, development, and testing of AlignCare by the Program for Pet Health Equity at the University …

Parting Comments From The Outgoing Editor, Steven N. Waller Ph.D.

Movement and Being: The Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sports Studies

This short reflective essay captures several transitional thoughts as Movement and Being: The Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sports Studies transitions the editorship of the journal. The following pages offer an examination of the strengths/assets of the journal as well as a “snapshot” of some of the challenges the journal has faced in the last five years. There are several recommendations offered to continue moving the journal forward. Implementation of these suggestions are contingent upon the incoming editor’s and Board of Directors review and approval. Most important need is to think strategically about the sustainability of …

Aspirant Sport Professionals Perceptions Of Leader Political Stances In The Workplace: An Exploratory Investigation, Marshall Magnusen, Matt Robinson

Journal of Applied Sport Management

The purpose of this exploratory study was to better understand how political behaviors by a sport organization’s leader impact aspirant sport professionals. This qualitative study utilized criterion-based and snowball sampling methods to gather data from 202 aspirant sport professionals (46.5% male, 53.5% female). Participants were given a hypothetical employment scenario and responded to four questions regarding how a leader’s political behavior might impact their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors toward the sport employer. Utilizing thematic analysis, the following themes were discovered: Discomfort and Indifference (Question 1), Expectancy Violation and Power Divide (Question 2), Visceral Thinking and Calculated Thinking (Question 3), as …

Mapping Anti-Racist Pedagogy Through Endarkened Storywork: Towards A Critical Race Trauma Reducing Pedagogical Framework, Jessica Michelle Schwind

Doctoral Dissertations

A critical attribute of an anti-racist English Language Arts (ELA) classroom is a curriculum that includes literary works that represent the full Black experience and readings of authentic storytelling (Toliver, 2022). When educators lack the autonomy to select their own classroom texts and/or lack the efficacy to navigate classroom discourse surrounding race and racism, an anti-racist pedagogical framework for literature instruction is critical (Johnson & Neville, 2018). My dissertation addresses the relationship between personal perceptions of literary representations of experience, relationships to race, and implications for pedagogy. The study investigates the choices teachers make when engaging students in Black authored …

Perceptions Of Tennessee Principals Of Their Supervisors’ Role In Developing Their Instructional Leadership Capacity, Brandie P. Arnold

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of Tennessee principals of their supervisor’s role in developing their instructional leadership capacity. This basic qualitative study gathered the perspectives of elementary principals. The participants included ten Tennessee elementary principals. Principals in the five participating school districts participated in semi-structured interviews for the qualitative study. Data from the interviews was collected, transcribed, coded, and analyzed. The qualitative results found the following four themes from the principal interviews: current direct support, professional development, ensuring strong relationships, and intentional communication. Principals receive support; however, the support is unstructured and primarily …

Classifying Facial Expressions Of Students Being Tutored In A Gateway College Math Course, Kriss Gabourel

Doctoral Dissertations

When it comes to tutoring, computers have not quite been able to achieve the success that humans have in helping students improve learning outcomes. This research sought to address one aspect of what makes human tutors more effective, the ability to identify and to interpret facial expressions. When a student is feeling anxious, confused, distracted or frustrated, or when a student has an ‘aha’ moment, human tutors can identify the student’s facial expressions and adjust their tutoring approach as necessary. This study sought to determine if, in the context of a gateway college math course, these particular learning-centered affects could …

Tuned In: How Novice Teachers Navigate Personal, Professional, And Political Influences, Mary Katherine Bentley

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to begin to unlock how novice teachers navigate the tensions between their personal beliefs and those demonstrated or experienced through interactions with people and their environment. It should be of particular interest to administrators, schools, and teacher education programs that seek to support novice teachers. This study examines novice teachers' identity as seen through the stories they tell about their experiences to answer the research questions: How do new teachers interact with the stories of teaching and teaching identities? How do they embody, refuse (act against), or disregard (ignore) stories of teaching and teaching …

The Principal’S Dilemma: A Qualitative Study Of Sensemaking Through Ethical Decision Making In Response To Tennessee’S Third Grade Retention Law For El Students, Virginia R. Boles

Doctoral Dissertations

This qualitative study explored how elementary principals used sensemaking to implement intersecting laws when making decisions on how to provide the best educational experiences for EL students while being faced with high-stakes assessment policies—in particular, third grade retention policy in Tennessee. Participants were nine elementary school principals with five or more years of experience, in Title I schools, with 5% or more EL students. Interviews were then both inductively and deductively analyzed through Weick and Caughron’s sensemaking framework. Results suggested that long-standing Federal laws, create a set of values and ethics in principals. Principals find ways to stay true to …

“It’S A Fine Line To Walk:” Rural Identity And Global Citizenship Education Gatekeeping, Dylan Tyler Edmondson

Doctoral Dissertations

Despite growing calls for global education in the United States (NCSS 2016b) and the popularity of global citizenship education (GCE) programs internationally, education for global citizenship has not caught on in the United States (Rapoport, 2020). In this context, teachers wield considerable influence as curricular instructional gatekeepers. They may promote or resist GCE in individual ways in relation to the context in which they teach. Little is currently understood about the curricular gatekeeping practices of rural teachers regarding GCE (Moffa, 2020). Research that does examine rural GCE gatekeeping situates analysis in terms of the rural as a place but not …

End Of The Road: A Case Study Of An Hbcu Upward Bound Program That Lost Its Funding, Kimberly R. Hill

Doctoral Dissertations

This study investigates the factors leading to the loss of funding and subsequent closure of a long-standing Upward Bound program at Fortitude University, a Historically Black University. As one of the original federally funded Upward Bound programs established in 1964, this program played a crucial role in bridging the opportunity gap for many students in the city where this program was located, encouraging high school completion and college readiness. Despite its historical significance and impact, the program faced an abrupt end in the summer of 2017. Employing general qualitative research methods, the study draws on interviews with former Upward Bound …

English Teachers’ Perceptions Of Media And Identity In A Post-Truth World: An Arts-Based Qualitative Study Using Comic Making As Method, Jared Benjamin Huisingh

Doctoral Dissertations

This study sought to learn from English teachers in Tennessee who worked through the pandemic. This study asked teachers to explain how they teach about media in their English classrooms, and it asked them to show how media affected their identities through art. This study found that though varied approaches exist, their comfort in teaching CML was dependent on personal safety, political influence, and administrative support. Participants showcase the media’s myriad effects in artwork while their stories are depicted in comic form. Implications for teacher practice and research are also discussed.

Building Upon Alternative-Academic Professionalization Opportunities For Phd Humanities Students, Amber J. Kent-Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation titled, “Building Upon Alternative-Academic Professionalization Opportunities for PhD Humanities Students,” I have interviewed 10 UTK English PhD alumni who graduated from the program between 2013 and 2023 to understand: (1) what they’ve experienced in their transition from academia into alt-ac careers, (2) what skills from their time in UTK’s English PhD program have transferred into their alt-ac careers, and (3) what forms of alt-ac professionalization support participants recommend adding to the UTK English PhD program. Participants were initially given a short survey to determine if their careers coincided with this study’s definition of alt-ac; that they were …

Instigators And Partners: Young Adult Literature’S Role In Readers’ Identity Formation, Cammie Jo Lawton

Doctoral Dissertations

This instrumental case study explored self-identified YA readers’ formative experiences with YAL and how their reading experiences contributed to their holistic identity. Using reader response theory, conceptualizations and varying layers of social imagination, and identity as theoretical foundations, the purpose of this dissertation is to inquire into YA readers’ experiences and determine how they describe YAL’s role in their sense of self over the course of their lives. The study was guided by the following research questions:

1. What types of transactions with YA texts have occurred with self-identified YA readers? Why have these transactions proved meaningful for the reader?
2. In …

Postsecondary Opportunities For Young Black Males From Urban Communities: The Barriers Of College Entrance Exams, Steven J. Mitchell

Doctoral Dissertations

This research examines the experiences of young Black males from Tennessee urban communities regarding their postsecondary opportunities shaped by college entrance exams. Through a narrative qualitative approach, this study explores the challenges and triumphs faced by these individuals as they navigated the complex landscape of higher education admissions.

The research site encompassed urban public high schools in West Tennessee, providing a context rich in diversity yet full of systemic barriers to equitable access to postsecondary education. The participants included three young Black males who are freshmen at three different Tennessee postsecondary institutions, each offering unique insights into their journeys through …

Perceptions Of School Administrators On The Effectiveness Of Career And Technical Educator Teacher Preparation, Sheila K. Morris

Doctoral Dissertations

This study investigates the perceptions of school administrators regarding the effectiveness of career and technical educator (CTE) teacher preparation programs. As the landscape of education continues to evolve, the importance of CTE programs in preparing students for the workforce has gained significant attention. Central to the success of these programs are the educators who deliver instruction. However, limited research exists on how school administrators perceive the preparedness and effectiveness of CTE teachers.

Utilizing qualitative research methods, this study explores the perspectives of school administrators through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis reveals themes related to the perceived strengths and weaknesses of CTE …