Education Commons^™

The Importance Of Hands-On Science: An Exploration Of Scientific Experiences In And Outside Of The Classroom, Jessica M. Schreer

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

This paper focuses on approaching science education through a lens of hands-on learning. Through observing different teaching environments that allow for this hands-on learning to occur, I hope to shed light on the importance of teaching through exploration, forming connections with nature, and allowing children to find a love for science. Children are naturally curious, experimenters, creative, and passionate and learn when these characteristics are met. Science has similar characteristics. Science is all around us. It focuses on inquiry, discovery, and connection. It is in the air we breathe, it occurs naturally without us having to manipulate it. Through centering …

Social Studies: The Art Form & Forgotten Gem Of The Classroom, Miah Prescod

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

The marginalization of Social Studies is not a new phenomenon. As it is slowly being squeezed out of our children’s classrooms, it prompts us to look at the current state of Social Studies in the world and question how we’ve arrived there. This thesis defines Social Studies through multiple perspectives and examines what has influenced it over the years while simultaneously reminding us of both the values and consequences of removing it from the classroom. I propose a solution to our current problem of the decline in Social Studies– the creation of a child-centered, interactive, and inquiry-based curriculum; applying the …

Moving Beyond The Banking Method And Scripted Curricula: Creating Confident Teachers, Max Solotar

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

This thesis is an exploration of the role of scripted curricula in contemporary classrooms and its adverse impacts on students and educators alike. When scripted curricula are put into conversation with Paolo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed and his description of the banking method of teaching, the oppressive nature of both are revealed to be deeply intertwined. Political contexts, such as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, led to a proliferation of scripted curricula in classrooms serving low-income and nonwhite children. These scripted curricula, which often deny students agency and center whiteness, heavily restricted teacher autonomy, treating educators …

The Time Machine To Neverland: A Multiple-Case Study Exploration Of The Impact Of The Covid-19 Lockdown On Childhood And Development, Elyse Laakso

Child Development Theses

The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown of 2020 impacted the world profoundly, both on global and individual levels. In many respects, the world returned to “normal” in the ensuing years. However, what does “normal” mean for a child whose development was interrupted by lockdown, depriving them of experiences that they would have otherwise encountered on their developmental trajectory? How might the impacts of such an interruption manifest in subsequent years? This thesis explores some such potential consequences, utilizing a multiple-case study design to explore the intersection between early childhood developmental theory and the impact of the Covid-19 …

The Capacity Of Connection: Engaging Academic Disciplines With Democracy, Community, And Identity, Ariella Carle

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

It is not enough to think of interdisciplinarity only in terms of curriculum. We also have to think about HOW we teach, and what of ourselves, as teachers and as engaged humans, we are bringing to the classroom and to our students. What I’m proposing as necessary is a conception of interdisciplinarity which foregrounds the humanity of both students and teachers as prerequisite; which considers care and growth of identity as its own discipline; and which goes beyond curriculum and extends, crucially, into interdisciplinarity of approach. I will further argue that, rather than taking away valuable instruction time from academics, …

Shining Lights: The Power Of Students As Storytellers, Marisa A. Johns

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

Weall have stories waiting to be told, and this thesis intends to explore the ways in which we as educators can support children as innate storytellers and nurture a love of storytelling. Storytelling f irst emerges through imaginative play during early childhood, and lends itself to the development of literacy skills they can later use to tell their stories. The continuation of play-based learning for upper elementary students is necessary in maintaining their original voice and imagination alive in their storymaking. Along with oral and written stories, we have to embrace dramatic arts and visual storytelling as mediums for students …

Exploring Diversity In Genetic Counseling: Experiences And Perspectives Of Bipoc Faculty And Leadership, Dessiah Phillips

Human Genetics Theses

The underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities within faculty and leadership roles in genetic counseling programs highlights a critical gap in the field's commitment to diversity and inclusion. This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study investigates the experiences, challenges, and perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) serving in these capacities. By examining responses from the faculty and leadership members across various genetic counseling programs, this research aimed to identify barriers to diversity and explore mechanisms for fostering a more inclusive environment. The findings revealed an underrepresented number of BIPOC individuals (n≤3) in leadership or faculty roles per genetic counseling …

Reframing Education And The Classroom As A Safe Space, Lily Padilla

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

This paper asks us to reimagine education and our classrooms as safe spaces for children. Children spend at least 1,000 hours a year in schools. They should spend those hours feeling like they have the freedom to dream, imagine, grow, take risks, and make mistakes. Furthermore, everyone deserves to be in a space that welcomes, accepts, and celebrates who they are. This means recognizing who they were, who they are, and who they can become. Children’s complex identities and humanity must be recognized in schools to come to know each child fully. When we lead with love, respect, and empathy, …

Shakespeare And Latinidad, Danilo Zepeda

Theatre Thesis - Written Thesis

This interview with Seres Jaime Magana, the author of the Tragic Corrido of Romeo and Lupe was conducted with several goals in mind. Such as to understand his artistic process during the time he was writing the play, the staging of the performances, and his personal relationship with the subject matter of the script. Through this written article, and interview I hope that readers can gain insight on how a Latinx artist who was born in Mexico managed to write and direct a play that was performed where the story takes place, on the borderland’s region known as the Rio …

Shakespeare And Latinidad, Danilo Zepeda

Theatre Thesis - Written Thesis

This interview with Seres Jaime Magana, the author of the Tragic Corrido of Romeo and Lupe was conducted with several goals in mind. Such as to understand his artistic process during the time he was writing the play, the staging of the performances, and his personal relationship with the subject matter of the script. Through this written article, and interview I hope that readers can gain insight on how a Latinx artist who was born in Mexico managed to write and direct a play that was performed where the story takes place, on the borderland’s region known as the Rio …

“Nope. Don’T Like That.” In Search Of Justice And Commitment To Nonmaleficence In Dance/Movement Therapy, Johnee Border

Dance/Movement Therapy Theses

The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) and Dance/Movement Therapy Certification Board (DMTCB) have ensured those dance/movement therapists who have been educated, registered, and board-certified share a commitment to equity, justice, and nonmaleficence according to the ADTA and DMTCB’s Code of Ethics and Standards (The Code) (ADTA, 2015). “Nope. Don’t like that,” has been the actual, verbal, expression of the embodied experience of intersectional harm from a lack of assessed, decolonized dance/movement therapy practice and pedagogy. The ADTA, students, educators, and credentialed dance/movement therapists hold an established, ethical responsibility to justice and nonmaleficence, and as such, must demonstrate a commitment to …

Early Childhood Care: A Comparative Analysis Of Preferred Practices, Shaija A. Mills

Child Development Theses

This thesis paper aims to investigate and compare the preferred practices in early childhood education and care (ECEC) across four categories: public/universal, private, outdoor, and daycare or family/in-home care. The study utilized online surveys and interviews with parents/guardians of 3-6 year old children and program directors serving children within the same age range. The primary objective was initially to identify best practices in early childhood care. However, as the study progressed, it became evident that the different approaches to early childhood education and care offered unique and valuable contributions. The research shifted from there to an exploration of the substance …

Exploring And Incorporating Music In The Classroom, Ella Aiges

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

This paper is an exploration into the benefits that incorporating music into various aspects of the classroom can bring students. Music has been a part of life and culture since the first civilizations. Each generation, the traditions, and practices are passed down to the next. Over time, music and the way we teach it have transformed. The importance that society places on music has also evolved. However, the benefits that music brings have not. Research has shown that the brain reacts to music and stimulates learning. There are several developmental and psychological impacts that music can have on the mind. …

Teaching As Accommodation: The Benefits Of Teaching All Children Through A Trauma-Informed Lens, Megan Retzloff

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are an epidemic in our society. In 2021 alone, an estimated 600,000 children in the United States experienced abuse or neglect, with 90.6% of all reported cases documenting one or both parents as the perpetrator (HHS, 2023). As educators, we play an important role in preventing and mitigating the effects of ACEs in our students. When a child’s home life is unstable, schools and teachers are the next line of defense. Throughout the United States, schools are the constant; they are a universal provider even in areas that otherwise have limited access to support. Schools are …

Expanding The Meaning Of Art As A Meta-Discipline In The Classroom, Kate Colabella

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

This thesis argues that art should not be siloed, but instead, fully integrated into classroom curricula through practices of art-thinking and art-making across subject matter. By thinking like an artist in the classroom, students organize and acquire knowledge in ways that allow them to more easily identify connections between disciplines. Beyond art as a means of self-expression, students develop inquiry-based learning skills, practice creative experimentation, self-reflection and idea generation by engaging in processes of art-thinking and art-making. If educators and schools can more fully support the artistic development of their students, I believe there is a very solid case for …

Children's Agency Through The Lens Of A Love Ethic: The Radical Imaginary, Zoe Kim

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

The lack of agency available to minoritized children in the classroom is indicative of systemic racism in education. Opposing this structural issue necessitates a multi-dimensional love ethic that is capable of transcending the classroom and breaking from the history of exclusion observed in this country. This research aims to contribute to that reality by creating a foothold for the radical imaginary of what education could become. Outlining this segregation by experience across the ecological systems of a child’s life, the project begins with an examination of recent research in conjunction with current events. Then, in looking at the chrono and …

Simulated Patient Case Development For Cultural Competency Training Of Genetic Counseling Students, Makenzie Woltz

Human Genetics Theses

One of the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) practice-based

competencies for genetic counselors is “Apply genetic counseling skills in a culturally

responsive and respectful manner to all clients.” Yet, the extent and approach in which cultural competency training is incorporated into genetic counseling training programs varies greatly. Simulated patients have been increasingly used in genetic counseling training to help students practice foundational skills in a low stakes environment. The goal of this project is to develop a clinical case for simulation that can be used as an intervention for cultural competency training of genetic counseling students. Christensen’s workbook and …

Impact Of The Sarah Lawrence Genetic Counseling Introductory Fieldwork Simulation On The Self-Efficacy And Training Of Students From The Classes Of 2021-2023, Meghan Zadorsky, Skye Wurmbrand

Human Genetics Theses

While simulation is commonly used as a tool in the training of various medical professionals, more in depth analysis is needed on its use and impact in the training of genetic counselors. The purpose of this study was to begin to understand, from the student perspective, the impact of the Sarah Lawrence College Master of Science in Human Genetics (SLC MS HG) Introductory Fieldwork Simulation (IF Sim) on self-efficacy, skills acquisition, and utilization of skills learned in simulation in future practice for the classes of 2021-2023. After a pilot study was completed, 23 semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted from participants …

A Call For Strength-Based Teaching, Molly Weinberg

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

Teaching practices centering a deficit lens of the child do not provide the space needed for every child to thrive in the American public education system today. This is why I call for strength-based teaching. A strength-based approach to teaching calls for the decentering of deficits and the centering of strengths, knowing our students, the room to make mistakes, freedom from labeling, acceptance and value of all student differences while simultaneously honoring all student knowledge as official knowledge, and the centering of marginalized voices. Our school system today relies primarily on state standards and standardized testing to measure intelligence, forcing …

Rethinking Power In The Classroom, Evangelyn Santana

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

When the No Child Left Behind Act and then the Everyone Succeeds Act were signed into law, our educational system began to function on the notion that education is merely preparation for standardized tests. The high-stakes nature of standardized-tests has pushed the narrative that this form of education is what makes children “successful” in life. Under-performing schools are in jeopardy of losing funding and face the possibility of school closures. Our educational system tells teachers they must participate in the “banking model of education” to avoid the blame for the possibility of these repercussions. Paulo Freire describes it as the …

Positioning Play As Abolition, Kathryn Troutman

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

This thesis argues that play-centered, abolitionist classrooms are necessary so that all students can thrive. The current American education system disproportionately harms Black students and is inextricably linked to the Prison Industrial Complex. Abolitionist teaching calls for the tearing down of systems of oppression and the creation of new spaces and institutions that center Black joy. Play is abolition because through play, children develop an awareness of the possibility and the right of freedom. This work outlines the necessity of abolition and the importance of play, followed by examples of play as abolition, and concludes with a vision for my …

Our Children, Their Stories: Storytelling In The Classroom, Malik Torres

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

My Master’s Thesis is about children and their stories. It seeks to understand story creation in the classroom and connect it to the cultivation of the broader classroom community. Here, storytelling is understood in its five forms: reading stories, oral storytelling, drawing stories, writing stories, and acting out stories. What threads these forms together is classroom community. In my thesis, I focus on a concept called “the narrative classroom.” A narrative classroom makes space for both play and storytelling; it incorporates the multi-modal process of literacy into a classroom environment centering children and their stories as official knowledge. Most importantly, …

Community And Connection In The Classroom, Denise Crystal

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

Connection and community can motivate children and adults to come to the classroom. These relationships can enhance learning in a number of ways. Not only do they bring joy, but they help children feel safe and a sense of belonging helping create an environment that is conducive to learning. A strong teacher-student relationship encourages and fosters learning. This connection is weakened when teachers use punishments, rewards and labels such as troublemaker that isolate students from the community. Community and connection can be fostered through true listening, reflective literature, story acting, open-ended play, and sharing with the community during circle time. …

Labels In Learning: An Exploration Of The Effects Of Cognitive, Intellectual, And Social Labels On Connections In The Classroom, Corinne Alexander

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

This paper is a testament to the negative impacts that cognitive, intellectual, and social labels have on connections in the classroom, both by way of students’ identities as learners and access to education. Labels pervade schools and exclude children from exploring, wondering, and making due to students’ identities and educators’ perceptions of their social interactions and academic performance. Whether intentional or not, giving students labels based on their cognitive, intellectual, and social abilities and performance creates separation and allows for maltreatment of students based on who does and does not have certain labels. As educators it is essential that we …

Script Concordance Testing In Genetic Counseling Training: A Pilot Study, Yakira Begun, Lila Rae Stange

Human Genetics Theses

Clinical decision-making has been successfully measured by script concordance testing in various healthcare training programs; it has never been used in genetic counseling education. The aim of this pilot study was to assess script concordance testing in the field of genetic counseling as an objective measure of clinical reasoning in trainees. The script concordance test was administered to 22 second year genetic counseling students in the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College. 12 genetic counselors served on a panel to provide expert judgment responses, and a scoring grid was developed using the Aggregate Scores …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Young Children's Education - Exploring The Compatibility Of Combining Progressive Education With Online Learning, Yini Li

Child Development Theses

The COVID-19 outbreak at the end of 2019 forced most schools around the world to move their classrooms online. This research takes the progressive education of young children as the basic educational concept and attempts to explore the compatibility of online education and progressive education of young children through interviews with educators in the United States and China. By understanding how online teaching occurred through interviews with early childhood teachers who implemented it during the COVID-19 outbreak, and the decisions and opinions of school administrators, this study compares the different teaching measures taken by early childhood teachers in the United …

The Power Of Play In Education, Alexandra Naclerio

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

At its current state, the educational system in America seems doomed with its single-minded, single-method approach to education. Educational systems in many parts of the world are formally instructed with a huge emphasis on teaching to the tests. Despite an understanding of the importance of exploration in the classroom, play is not seen as learning. When teachers aim to include play in their classroom, often children are not playing at all. In relationship to that debate, I argue that play is the essence of any classroom.

The research I have completed has provided me with articles and field experience that …

Equitable Strategies: Broadening Opportunities For Students In Public Education, Anthony Ellis

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that public education is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms. Despite the ruling, the American education system is still not equitable for all students. Children of color (Black, Latino, Native Americans) or of lower income are more likely to jump over several hurdles to get to the finish line. Meanwhile, white and wealthy children will cross the finish line without going through a single hurdle. The hurdles begin at early childhood and the final hurdle is college graduation. Some of these disparities include racial bias, the burden of …

The Need For Spanish In Mainstream Classrooms: A Celebratory Reclamation Of Linguistic Identity, Keila Torres

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

This paper is a testament to the sociocultural importance of bilingualism in mainstream U.S. classrooms, specifically pertaining to the Spanish language and communities in which there is a large percentage of Spanish speakers. Approximately 13% of Americans are native Spanish speakers, this is equivalent to 40 million people. States like Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Texas can boast populations that include over 1 million Hispanic people (United States Census Bureau, 2019). However, our school curriculums do not reflect the large percentage of Spanish-speaking students who roam their hallways. I argue that traditional …

How Manipulatives In The Classroom Engage Students In Learning, Catherine Mindish

Art of Teaching Thesis - Written

The use of manipulatives inside the classroom at any age benefits the students in a variety of ways. This research examined different lesson plans, professional literature, and discussions on both the benefits and challenges of teaching with manipulatives. Ultimately this study finds that manipulatives benefit students, by supporting the development of skills they will use inside and outside of the classroom. Additionally, because manipulatives foster engagement in the learning process, teachers will reap additional benefits and students develop a positive attitude toward learning.