The Impact Of Childhood Adversity On Students In Urban Public Elementary Schools: Recognizing, Responding, And Implementing Interventions To Support Struggling Students Through In-Depth Conversations With School Leaders, Stephen Shaw-Lyon

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

THE IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY ON STUDENTS IN URBAN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: RECOGNIZING, RESPONDING, AND IMPLEMENTING INTERVENTIONS TO SUPPORT STRUGGLING STUDENTS THROUGH IN-DEPTH CONVERSATIONS WITH SCHOOL LEADERS

August 2026

Stephen P. Shaw-Lyon, A.A., Massasoit Community College

B.A., Arizona State University

M.Ed., Fitchburg State University

C.A.G.S., Bridgewater State University

Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Boston

Directed by Assistant Professor Bodunrin Banwo

This dissertation explores how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect students in urban public elementary schools in Massachusetts. While the original ACE Study reshaped understanding of adult health outcomes, less research examines how trauma influences children’s academic, behavioral, and social experiences in …

Freedom Dreamers In Oakland, California: A Portraiture Of Creating Spatial Justice And Repair, Rebecca Sarah Jacquez

Doctoral Dissertations

Oakland, California, is a unique site of residents who have historically questioned the status quo and are currently continuing that legacy by creating spatial justice and repair in the midst of anti-Blackness and the afterlife of racial segregation. This dissertation spotlights a portrait of Oakland, California, that uplifts the lived experiences of folks who are using a ‘radical imagination’ to build ‘freedom as a place.’ This qualitative study aims to extend the literature of reparative spatial justice in education by sharing the nuances of a particular radical imagination rooted in freedom that one can feel in Oakland. Using portraiture methodology, …

Restorative Practices And Resilience Among Trauma-Impacted Elementary Students, Rose E. Ostenson

Graduate Teacher Education

This paper examined how restorative practices may promote resilience among trauma-impacted elementary school students. Fifteen peer-reviewed studies were analyzed to address the following research question: How do restorative practices promote resilience among trauma-impacted students in elementary schools? Three consistent themes emerged from the literature: relationship building and relational safety, school connectedness and belonging, and emotional regulation and co-regulation. These themes represent crucial protective factors associated with resilience among children who have experienced trauma. Although resilience was not directly measured in most of the studies reviewed, the findings consistently suggested that restorative practices may strengthen the relational, social, and emotional conditions …

Staff Members And Students’ Perceptions On Retention In A Trio Student Support Services Program, Gregoire N. Lee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed in this study was the low retention rates and consequent low completion rates of students who are low-income, first-generation, and/or disabled who did not participate in a TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program at Urban University. Grounded in Tinto’s student integration theory, Dweck’s mindset theory, and Duckworth’s grit theory, the purpose of this study was to determine staff members and students’ perceptions on the helpfulness of the TRIO SSS program in improving retention from Year 1 to Year 2 at Urban University. For this basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews with nine students and four staff …

Fluency First: Building A Stronger Tier 2 Reading Intervention, Rachel Bernier

Masters Projects

The percentage of fourth grade students reading below grade level is significant and relatively unchanged and Tier 2 fluency intervention could be doing more to target the gaps in at-risk readers’ fluency instruction. This growth could impact their ability to perform across subject areas as it is indicated in research that increasing reading fluency can also improve reading comprehension. This paper examines research through a literature review of theory and journal articles that support that Tier 2 intervention can be effective, when it is aligned with Tier 1 instruction and structured around direct instruction in phonics and word recognition, and …

Embedding Transformative Social Emotional Learning Into Writing Instruction, Kristen Holsomback

Masters Projects

In order for students to succeed in writing tasks they must have social emotional competencies in self-regulation, engagement, and relationship skills. Many teachers are unprepared to teach these SEL competencies embedded in writing instruction. This project explores the need to embed Transformative SEL within writing instruction with a framework in culturally sustaining pedagogies. With a background in sociocognitive theory and sociocultural theory, this project seeks to equip teachers with the skills necessary to address students SEL competencies of: self-regulation, self-awareness, and relationship skills. Self-regulation skills comprise goal setting, self-instructions, self-monitoring, and self-reinforcement. Self-awareness skills include self-efficacy and student engagement. Relationship …

A Policy Analysis Of Higher Education Support For Foster Youth In The Colorado Child Welfare System, Krystal Robles

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

This policy analysis examines how two Colorado laws, House Bill 22-1374 (Foster Care Success Act), and Senate Bill 22-008 (Higher Education Support for Foster Youth), aim to improve educational outcomes and long-term stability for youth who age out of the foster care system. Critical Policy Analysis (CPA) and Resilience Theory are used in this paper to examine how these policies address systemic inequities, promote resilience, and offer protective factors that support educational attainment. Using policy review, state policy comparison, stakeholder interviews, and community perspectives, I evaluated how the implementation, effectiveness, and limitations of these bills shape real-world impact. The findings …

Looking Beneath The Surface: Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Through The Caregiver’S Lens—Support, Advocacy, And Self-Care, Melissa Fredin

Master of Arts in Human Services

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure that can affect cognitive functioning, adaptive skills, communication, emotional regulation, and daily living abilities. Individuals with FASD and their caregivers often face complex challenges while navigating behavioral, educational, healthcare, human service, and criminal justice systems. Although awareness of FASD continues to increase, gaps remain in caregiver education, professional understanding, and access to coordinated, trauma-informed supports. The literature indicates that caregiver education is central to improving outcomes for individuals with FASD and is associated with stronger advocacy, more effective support strategies, greater caregiver resilience, and improved …

Emotional Intelligence Deficits And Behavioral Escalation Among Justice-Involved Populations, Aleasa M. Word

Master of Arts in Human Services

This capstone examined the relationship between deficits in emotional intelligence and behavioral escalation among justice-involved populations, who frequently demonstrated challenges with emotional regulation, impulse control, aggression, and behavioral escalation. However, many correctional interventions, including traditional anger management programming, emphasized behavioral compliance rather than the underlying emotional processing deficiencies that contributed to these behaviors. This project synthesized existing peer-reviewed literature from psychology, criminology, forensic behavioral health, and correctional rehabilitation research to examine how low levels of emotional awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and interpersonal functioning are associated with aggression, recidivism, and escalating behaviors. Findings suggested deficits in emotional intelligence were consistently associated …

Title I Middle School Mathematics Teachers’ Perspectives On Student Digital Distractions Related To Technological-Pedagogical Knowledge Interactions In Knowledge Spaces, Spencer Rebecca Ward Fraley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study is the gap in literature on Title I middle school mathematics classroom teachers’ perspectives on student digital distractions related to teacher technological-pedagogical knowledge (TPK) interactions in knowledge spaces. Grounded in the technology pedagogical content knowledge framework, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore Title I middle school mathematics teachers’ perspectives on student digital distractions related to teacher TPK interactions in the Southeastern Coastal United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with six teachers and analyzed through two coding cycles and three analytical stages. Even though the results must …

Healthcare Students’ Experiences Using Artificial Intelligence Simulation Tools In Clinical Simulated Laboratory Practice, Delicia S. Cousin

Student Dissertations

Artificial intelligence-driven simulation has become an important component of healthcare education by providing students with opportunities to strengthen clinical reasoning, decision-making, and technical skills in a safe learning environment. Despite its growing adoption, limited research has explored how healthcare students experience artificial intelligence-driven simulation during clinical laboratory practice. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore healthcare students’ experiences using artificial intelligence-driven simulation tools during clinical laboratory practice. Guided by Experiential Learning Theory and Transformative Learning Theory, the study examined how students interpreted, reflected upon, and learned from these experiences. Data were collected through a researcher-developed Qualtrics questionnaire …

Remixing Dialogue: A Case Study On Perceptions Of Hip Hop Pedagogy In A Professional Learning Course, Kelly J. Thelen

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This qualitative case study examines how teachers’ decision-making and professional autonomy shift while participating in a Hip Hop Pedagogy Professional Learning course supported by structured FIXIT (Lo & Wachter, 2023a, 2023b, 2023c, 2023d; Wachter & Lo, 2024) game-facilitated dialogue in a rural, culturally and linguistically diverse Midwest community. Grounded in Freire’s (1970) Critical Pedagogy, Ladson-Billings’ (1995) Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (Paris and Alim, 2017), and Adult Learning Theory (Knowles et al., 2005), the study explores the reclamation of agency by teachers in a time of constrained creativity and educator autonomy shaped by strict policy environments, an emphasis on …

Preschool Teachers' Perceptions In Supporting Students Experiencing Trauma, Ann F. Gorbett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early childhood teachers are often the first to observe behaviors that could be a result of trauma. The problem that was addressed in this study is that preschool teachers are not adequately trained to effectively address the social, emotional, and academic needs of children who have experienced trauma. Framed by Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore preschool teachers’ preparedness and training needs to effectively respond to children who have experienced trauma. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 general education preschool teachers, who have at least 2 years of teaching experience. …

Reading Comprehension Success For Multilingual Learners, Meilian Wang

Masters Projects

Multilingual learners (MLs) often struggle with reading comprehension as they simultaneously develop English language proficiency and learn grade-level academic content. Although research has identified effective instructional strategies for supporting ML reading comprehension, many general education teachers feel underprepared to implement these strategies effectively. This project examines the research-based approaches for supporting ML’s reading comprehension while addressing the need for sustained professional learning and instructional coaching for classroom teachers. The literature reviewed in this project focuses on sociocultural theory, translanguaging, culturally responsive pedagogy, and the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP). There will be additional research-based instructional strategies such as explicit vocabulary …

Workers Authoring Assessment: Play And Power In Early Childhood Education, Phoebe M. Gilpin

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers assert that play-based pedagogy is an effective approach to teaching young children, but there is less consensus on the specific methods of play-based teaching. This mixed-methodology exploratory case study investigated early childhood (EC) educators’ conceptualizations of play-based pedagogy in three phases: Phase 1’s quantitative measure testing found a mismatch between researchers’ conceptualization of play-based pedagogy and EC educators’ (n=183) understandings. In Phase 2, EC educators (n=3) articulated their perspectives about teaching through play and co-authored a new tool, the Teacher-Authored Play and Teaching Scale (TAPTS). Within Phase 3, EC educators (n=60) completed the TAPTS, which I interpreted through a …

Texas Teachers’ Perspectives On Work Experiences That Influenced Their Decision To Leave Their District Or Profession Following The Onset Of The Pandemic, Rose Pham Tran

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study is the over 10% departure of K-12 teachers following the onset of the pandemic, contributing to widespread teacher shortages in the classrooms in Texas. Guided by Bakker and Demerouti’s job demands and resources framework, the purpose of this study was to explore K-12 teachers’ perspectives on the demands and responsibilities as well as their reasons to leave the district or profession following the onset of the pandemic. For this case study, semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 teachers from the same district who voluntarily left between 2020 and 2025. Additional data on …

Parents’ Perceptions Of Their Children With Disabilities’ Mental Health During The Rapid Transition To Online Learning At The Time Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Arnell Rorie Footman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an abrupt shift to online learning, raising significant concerns about the mental health of children with disabilities. Existing research highlights increased rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation during due to the disruptions in structured routines and in-person support systems. This generic qualitative study, guided by Bronfenbrenner’s EST was conducted to explore parents’ perceptions of the mental health challenges experienced by their students with disabilities during the rapid transition to online learning at the time of COVID-19 pandemic. Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews in which parents voiced their perceptions and experiences concerning their children’s mental …

Staff Education To Implementation Of Fall Prevention Education To Improve Fall Prevention Knowledge Among Nurses And Cnas In A Nursing Home, Margret Nkechi Anabaronye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project was a staff education initiative designed to enhance fall-prevention knowledge among nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in a nursing home setting. The practice problem addressed was the high incidence of patient falls among older adults, which is a persistent safety concern in caregiving facilities since it leads to injury, decreased quality of life, and heightened healthcare costs. The project aimed to determine whether implementing a fall-prevention educational initiative would enhance staff knowledge and confidence levels on fall prevention. Analytical strategies used in this project included quantitative pre- and posttests and descriptive statistics to measure changes in participants’ …

Explicit Reading Comprehension Instruction: Developing An Evidence-Based Resource Guide For Upper Elementary Teachers, Amanda M. Moser

Masters Projects

Reading comprehension is a complex process that requires more than accurate decoding and word recognition. Many elementary students benefit from explicit instruction in the cognitive, linguistic, and metacognitive processes that support comprehension. The purpose of this project was to examine research on reading comprehension and develop evidence-based instructional resources for upper elementary teachers. The theoretical framework for this project draws on four perspectives: the Constructive-Integration Model (Kintsch, as discussed in Conner et al., 2016), Transactional Theory (Rosenblatt, 1978), Sociocultural Theory (Vygotsky, as discussed in Palincsar et al., 1987), and the Active View of Reading (Duke & Cartwright, 2021). Collectively, these …

Challenges Early Childhood Educators Encounter When Balancing Play-Based Learning With Preparation For Standardized Testing, Shanette Damar Mcbride

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this study was that emphasis is being placed on standardized testing, which is causing early childhood educators to feel pressured to eliminate or reduce playtime in their classrooms. Framed by Vygotsky’s theory of social development and Lave and Wenger’s situated learning framework, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of early childhood educators in a southcentral U.S. state regarding the challenges they face in balancing a play-based learning curriculum and the support they need, while emphasizing information about standardized testing. The data were collected from semistructured interviews with 12 certified kindergarten …

Examining The Impact Of Social-Emotional Learning On Academic Achievement In African American Middle School Girls, Rebekah Solomon

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Abstract

Examining the Impact of Social-Emotional Learning on Academic Achievement in African American Middle School Girls

Rebekah Solomon Ed.S

African American girls enrolled in middle school today face an education system that is impacted by overlapping factors such as their race, sex, teacher discipline systems, and insufficient encouragement of Black culture (Crenshaw, Ocen, & Nanda, 2015; Couvson, 2016). While numerous studies show that implementing Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) can increase academic performance and support emotional self-regulation, much of the research does not examine data from subgroups of learners, such as African American females. There is also considerable evidence to support that …

Understanding Superintendent Retention In Ohio Public School Districts: Motivational Influences On Superintendents' Decisions To Remain Or Depart., Thomas P. Perkins

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Abstract

Superintendent turnover continues to challenge school districts across the United States.  Frequent leadership changes can disrupt district initiatives, create uncertainty within organizations, and affect long-term improvement efforts.  While previous research has focused primarily on external conditions associated with superintendent turnover, less attention has been given to the interaction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations influencing superintendent retention.

The purpose of this study was to examine how intrinsic and extrinsic motivations influence Ohio public school superintendents’ decisions to remain in or leave their current positions.  Guided by Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory and Self-Determination Theory, the study explored the relationship between internal factors …

Exploring Special Education Teacher Perceptions Regarding Their Role In Promoting Self-Regulation Among K-8th Grade Students, Emily Keyes

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Existing research explores self-regulation in the field of special education, however there has yet to be a body of research that relates specifically to special education teachers’ perceptions of their role in fostering self-regulating students in grades K-8. This narrative qualitative study utilized interviews and observations to extract data from each of the 15 total participants across 9 suburban New Jersey public school districts. Common perceptions of participants included a lack of, or unclear, district vision regarding self-regulation, as well as an absence of explicit professional development. The key findings in this study revealed that self-regulation skills are fostered by …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Black Students In Criminal Justice Programs And Its Implications On Social Justice, Demetrius C. Dacres

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examined the experiences of Black students who graduated with degrees in criminal justice within the last five years, as well as professors serving criminal justice programs. In this study, Black students are defined as those who identify as Black or African American, and the research focused on a criminal justice higher education institution’s educational program in the Northeast. This qualitative phenomenological study drew on Lent’s Social Cognitive Career Theory and Tinto’s Student Integration Model to investigate how Black students experienced criminal justice programs and the resources and strategies they utilized to navigate and adapt. The study addressed a …

Undergraduate Student Perceptions Of Student-Faculty Interactions In Relation To Academic Anxiety In An Online Learning Environment, Alexandria Ward

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The expansion of online learning in higher education, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, has significantly reshaped student experiences and communication practices. While existing research has explored online learning environments, student engagement, and mental health, there remains a gap in understanding how undergraduate students perceive student-faculty interactions in online learning environments and how these interactions impact academic anxiety. Guided by Transactional Distance Theory, which emphasizes dialogue, structure, and learner autonomy, this qualitative phenomenological study addressed three research questions: how students describe their experiences with faculty interactions in online learning environments in relation to academic anxiety, what aspects of communication contribute to …

Building Engaged Readers: Fostering Students Engagement And Motivation, Breanna R. Gierak

Masters Projects

Student engagement and motivation are essential components of literacy development and academic achievement in elementary classrooms. However, research indicates that many elementary students are becoming disengaged due to a variety of factors, including increased technology use, decreased motivation, limited family involvement, and fewer opportunities for meaningful interactions around literacy. This masters project is grounded in research that examines the importance of fostering engagement and motivation in elementary literacy and synthesizes current research on the instructional practices that promote positive reading experiences. The literature highlights the influence of supportive classroom environments, teacher-student relationships, collaborative learning, purposeful technology integration, and storing family-school …

Building Fluent Readers: Developing Comprehensive Reading Fluency In K-2 Classrooms, Erika Yersak

Masters Projects

Despite extensive research establishing reading fluency as essential to literacy development, many early elementary students fail to achieve grade-level fluency, compromising their reading comprehension and academic success.  Fluency instruction has been narrowed to measuring reading speed, dismissed beyond third grade, and taught as an isolated skill disconnected from authentic reading across content areas.  While research demonstrates that fluency encompasses accuracy, automaticity, and prosody and should be integrated meaningfully across disciplines, many K-2 teachers lack practical resources and guidance for implementing comprehensive fluency instruction in their classrooms.

To address this gap, this project presents a research-based fluency integration guidebook for K-2 …

Establishing Partnerships Between Families, Schools, And Communities To Support Family Involvement In Literacy Education, Matraca Bourdo

Masters Projects

As the percentage of fourth grade students reading at a proficient level continues to decline, schools are seeking effective ways to improve literacy education and student achievement. Research emphasizes the importance of early literacy development in supporting academic success and lifelong learning. However, not all families have the same background knowledge of literacy skills and how to develop them with their children. Partnerships between schools, families, and communities can provide the support and resources needed while working toward the goal of improving student achievement.

The purpose of this project is to implement a team that partners with families to educate …

The Hidden Costs Of Accountability: Unpacking The Emotional Labor Of Student Conduct Work And Building Tools For Resilience, Tiffany Marlene Shierling

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This dissertation explored the psychological challenges student conduct administrators (SCAs) face in higher education. These professionals have encountered significant emotional labor, vicarious trauma, and ethical dilemmas as they address student misconduct while striving to achieve educational and developmental outcomes. The study highlighted a research gap concerning the impact of these challenges on the mental well-being of SCAs, which hinders the development of effective support systems. This study aimed to address the mental health needs of SCAs by developing a comprehensive toolkit. Grounded in self-compassion theory and resilience theory, the toolkit provides resources for emotional self-regulation, supervisor training, and institutional recommendations.

Fellowship Graduates’ Perceptions Of The Professional Competencies Developed In A Local Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Program In The Southern United States, Margaret Elaine Lonnemann

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Orthopedic manual physical therapy (OMPT) fellowship programs focus on improving clinical skills and professional development in physical therapy. OMPT fellowship programs are 1–3-year postprofessional subspecialty training programs in manual physical therapy requiring prior orthopedic clinical experience. The problem that was addressed in this study is that professional competencies are not adequately assessed after program completion of an OMPT fellowship in the Southern United States. Grounded in Dreyfus’s skill acquisition model, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore OMPT fellowship graduates’ perceptions of the professional competencies developed and recommendations for assessing these competencies in future graduates. Data were …