Education Commons^™

Chapter 24- Intentional Onboarding And Mentoring Of New Faculty At Central Michigan University, Sarah Marshall

Making Connections

Recognizing that faculty who are mentored are more likely to successfully navigate the tenure process and become effective members of the academic community, Central Michigan University’s (CMU) College of Education and Human Services (CEHS) developed a comprehensive mentoring and professional development program for all new, full-time faculty. This program provided a network of support, resources, and guidance for navigating inevitable challenges. Prior to the development of this program, departments varied in the ways they encouraged and addressed faculty mentoring. Most informally assigned a faculty mentor, but as our initial assessment demonstrated, little to no mentorship occurred. With the recruitment and …

Identification Of Lacking Support Systems Relevant To The Job Performance Of School Counselors, Claire Patricia Selna

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone report displays a comprehensive report about the struggles and demands of school counselors and how various factors such as: the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) code of ethics and standards, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and school counselor advocacy and support, all play a part in school counselors daily lives. This report also describes the use of intersectionality theory with all of the previously stated factors, allowing researchers to better understand the complexity of the role of school counselor. Knowing these factors, this report asks: What support systems most impact the job performance of school counselors? In order to …

We Salute You: Student Servicemembers' And Veterans' Perspective Of The University Of Southern Mississippi's Support Of Military Students, Dianna Couch

Honors Theses

There has been an increasing number of veterans and servicemembers attending colleges and universities in the past several years. However, these veterans and servicemembers oftentimes struggle to readjust to civilian life and academia after their years of service. With the increasing number of veterans and servicemembers attending colleges and universities, schools are in a prime position to offer support for this population. However, there has been a lack of research conducted on this growing student population and how to best serve them.

A survey was sent via email by the USM’s Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families to …

Impact Of Students’ Home Lives On Students’ Academic Performance And Discussion Of Related Strategies For Teachers, Grace Ellis

Senior Honors Theses

Students’ home lives can significantly impact their educational progress and success. Aspects such as the amount of parental involvement, grandparents’ support, family structures, number of siblings, financial stability, socioeconomic status, abusive family situations, and spiritual background can all have a major influence on how a student behaves and performs at school. This thesis provides a description of how these various subjects impact students in their education, and it provides some practical steps that teachers can take based on this information. The thesis is supported by information from scholars, who support the idea that parental involvement, which is directly tied to …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Surgical Technology Graduates Who Achieved Transformative Learning, Anna Danielle Campbell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of successful surgical technology graduates who achieved transformative learning during their CAAHEP accredited surgical technology program while encountering risk factors for failure. The study’s central research question is: What experiences of successful surgical technology graduates contributed to transformative learning? The theory guiding this study is Mezirow’s (1981) theory of transformative learning. Mezirow’s theory relates to this study as it requires individuals to find meaning in learning in order, through a disorienting dilemma, to acquire new perspectives on their subject matter. The setting of this study is Commission on …

University Student-Parents’ Experiences In The Uae During Covid-19: Future Implications For Higher Education, Martina Dickson, Rehab Al Hakmani, Melissa Mcminn, Jessica Midraj, Deena Elsori, Prospera Tedam

All Works

The COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 and threw higher education institutions worldwide into a rapid transition from face-to-face to online learning modes. While students everywhere were grappling with the changes to their learning experiences, those with parenting responsibilities had additional pressures. This study investigated how university student-parents across the United Arab Emirates experienced the change, and their perceptions of the impact of COVID- 19 on their studies. One hundred seventy-five students responded to a questionnaire exploring domains such as their domestic set-up for study, levels of support from family and their institutions, and the situation’s impact on their learning, well-being, …

Guidance And Support For One-To-One Paraprofessionals: A Multiple Regression Analysis, Amanda A. Agurkis

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Research has focused on methods to support, train, and prepare one-to-one paraprofessionals from perspectives of administrators and teachers. This quantitative study extended research by investigating perspectives of one-to-one paraprofessionals on preparation, support, communication, feedback, and involvement in planning. These variables were investigated using 20 statements on a Likert-scale survey. Demographic information of participants include age, gender, age level of student, passage of the Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS), years of experience in education, type of class student is in, and professional preparation were surveyed as well. A convenience sample of 50 participants responded to the survey. Pearson’s correlation coefficients …

Supporting Novice Department Leaders, Bryan Sarandrea

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

The purpose of this study was to understand the extent to which novice department leaders believe they have been supported in their roles. Previous research has suggested that department leaders have unique needs due to the lack of clarity in their roles and responsibilities. The literature further reflected the inconsistent support provided to novice administrators, and focused primarily on principals. To examine novice department leaders’ perception of informal and formal supports, The Experiences of Novice Department Leaders questionnaire was distributed to K-12 department leaders and building department chairpersons on Long Island (N = 83), with no more than 4 years …

“A Cog In A Wheel That Gets It Done”: A Qualitative Study Of The Experiences Of Faculty Seeking Administrator Support, Lakesha Anderson, Mattea A. Garcia

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This qualitative study sought to determine the stressors that motivate faculty to seek administrator support and examined faculty experiences of administrator support. Participants were 27 full- and part-time faculty members who completed a seven-item online questionnaire. Findings show that many participants felt unsupported by their administrator while navigating the stressful situations for which they sought help. This lack of support led to negative departmental cultures and faculty feeling insecure, undervalued, and isolated. This study highlights the need for policies and practices designed to build relationships between faculty and administrators. Efforts to improve the faculty-–administrator relationship can lead to increased understanding, …

Exploring Head Teachers’ Support For Online Learning During The School Closure As A Result Of Covid-19: A Case Of Two Primary Schools In Mombasa County, Kenya, Juma Rashid Haji

Theses & Dissertations

The emergence and spread of COVID-19 in the world prompted most governments to close all educational institutions to halt the spread of the virus. Schools in Kenya were closed for nearly 7 months, resulting in a learning loss. The Kenyan government promoted online learning through mass media such as television and radio, while the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) uploaded learning resources to their i-cloud educational portal. However, students and teachers faced several challenges that made it difficult for such headteachers to provide effective support for online learning. The researcher selected two primary schools, two headteachers, two deputy headteachers, …

A Case Study Exploring William & Mary Military Alums' Experiences With Career Transition, Dirron Allen, Amanda Baldwin-Estep, Matthew Grinsell, Kimberly Lintag-Nguyen

Doctor of Education Capstones

Background: The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand William & Mary (W&M) Master of Business Administration (MBA) military alums’ experiences with their career transitions post-graduation and the influence of the program on their experiences.

Methods: This study utilized a case study design, including focus groups and interviews with 21 alums from the last 10 years and formal, semi-structured interviews with six current faculty and staff. We used Schlossberg’s (1981) individuals’ situation, self, support, and strategies to analyze data using thematic analysis, and then iteratively reducing codes into themes.

Results: Demographic findings showed a lack of diversity, such as …

A Mixed Methods Study Of How Elementary Teachers Cope Mentally, Physically, And Spiritually While Teaching In A Pandemic, Chavon Tyrra Bryant

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine coping strategies for teachers in elementary schools who taught during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers experienced mental, physical, and spiritual challenges throughout the pandemic, and this study shared how teachers coped. Through this study, 48 teachers serving in three different elementary schools in North Carolina completed ten 4-point Likert scale response items. The survey tool's validity was established using the Lawshe content validation index. Interviews were conducted, in addition to a focus group session. Resilience theory, a framework for improving a teacher's ability to adapt successfully when under stress or adversity, …

Well-Being Consciousness And College Access Borderlands: Staff Perspectives On Supporting Students’ Well-Being, Paris D. Wicker

Journal of College Access

More than 2550 pre-college preparation and college access programs in the United States are designed to increase the postsecondary enrollment and degree obtainment rates for historically excluded college students, including low-income and Students of Color. Less known is how these programs address the social emotional, and well-being needs of college-going Black and Indigenous women enrolling at Predominately White Institutions (PWIs). Guided by Gloria Anzaldúa’s Borderlands theory, this study analyzed interviews with five current and former college access program staff to uncover if and how college access programs define and implement well-being into college access initiatives. Findings revealed varied racialized and …

Transforming Education: Using The Connectedness Cycle As A Framework For Instruction, Kimberly Vigil

Pedagogicon Conference Proceedings

The connectedness cycle is an emerging framework for practice that advances the understanding and implementation of relationship-rich educational practices. These relationship-rich educational practices allow for more meaningful student engagement, and they serve to enhance academic outcomes. When embodied and implemented by faculty, the connectedness cycle has the ability to transform education.

Student Perspective Of Alternative Education Characteristics Implemented By Public School Social Workers, Jennifer M. Fields

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Public schools are facing increased challenges to address the needs of students with significant behavioral issues. In response, Alternative education (AE) programs are used to reengage students in learning and enhance personal development, through a combination of academic and therapeutic strategies. AE placement is intended to be short-term, with the goal of returning students to public school. However, the differences between these two settings make it difficult for students to sustain achievements made in AE upon reentry. The purpose of this qualitative research was to use the student perspective to identify the social-emotional characteristics of AE that have influenced change, …

Representation Counts: Intern Teachers Of Color And Their Perspectives Of Teaching In A California County, Girlie M. Hale

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Intern teachers are more likely to be placed in hard-to-fill content areas, such as math, science, and special education, which exacerbates their initial teaching experiences as teachers of record. For new teachers in their intern credential program, these factors compound the stress of attending coursework while managing their experience as a novice in the classroom. Without proper mentoring and support in these placements, teachers of color may perceive themselves as feeling less successful in the classroom. In this mixed methods study, the researcher investigated the types of support intern teachers of color need in successfully completing their teacher preparation program. …

Food Insecurity Among College Students: Perception Of College Administrators, Ibiyemi Adesanya

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Abstract

While food insecurity among college students has existed for decades, only in recent years has the focus on the impact of food insecurity on student success emerged. However, most of the research has been quantitative, conducted at public two-year and four-year colleges and focused on predictors, prevalence, and impact of food insecurity among college students. Although prior student-based research has been beneficial to understand the problem, there is inconsistency in how institutions and higher education professionals address this issue with their students.

A transcendental phenomenological single case study design was used in this study to explore the lived experience …

Post-Covid-19 Teaching With Technology Support In Higher Education, Landon Nalepinski

Masters Theses

Using a mixed methods approach, this case study focuses on how technological support in higher education can encourage educators to continue using and developing their teaching with technology practices post-COVID-19. Data and information were gathered via an anonymous survey from faculty members at Grand Valley State University to gain a better understanding of what support is being provided to them and how we can expand on that in the future.

Extra-Institutional Bonded Social Networks: A Qualitative Study On Their Impacts On Adult Learner Entry/Re-Entry, Persistence, And Transfer/Graduation At A Technical And Community College, Matthew J. Leisen

Education Doctorate Dissertations

Adult Learners are no longer a minority population in the higher education landscape in the United States. They enter and re-enter technical and community colleges with a vast array of experiences and are often influenced by their Extra-Institutional Bonded Social Networks (EIBSN) which are identified in this research as: Family, Friends, Work, Community, and Religious/Spiritual. The college student’s academic journey is outlined in three major phases, what are identified in this research as: Entry/Re-Entry, Persistence, and Transfer/Graduation. This study researches the social impacts of the five identified EIBSN at each of the three phases and is underpinned by several theorists’ …

Motivation, Belonging, And Support: Examining Persistence In Counseling Programs, Alisa Housenecht, Jacqueline Swank

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

The rising racially and ethnically minoritized population in the U.S. challenges counselor educators to train racially and ethnically diverse counselors; therefore, there is a need to better understand the factors that affect persistence and retention of diverse students in counseling programs. The researchers examined the role of motivation (Academic Motivation Scale), sense of belonging (Campus Connectedness Scale), and social support (Student Academic Support Scale) on the persistence (3-item persistence measure) of 396 master’s level counseling students, including investigating differences between White and minoritized students. Pearson’s correlations results revealed intention to persist was positively correlated with motivation (r(394) = .44, p < .01), belonging (r(394) = .39, p < .01), and social support (r(394) = .01, p < .05) and ANOVA results showed no significant differences were found between White and minoritized students. Counselor educators can improve student experiences by implementing strategies to create a diverse and inclusive community.

A Qualitative Exploration Of The Role Older Siblings Play In The College-Going Experiences Of Younger First-Generation College Students, Gretchen Waugaman

All Dissertations

This study looked at the roles that older siblings who have been through the college process themselves play in the college-going experiences of younger first-generation college students. A qualitative study was conducted with 10 FGC students at a large public four-year university in the Southeast of the United States of America who had older siblings who were either currently attending college or had recently graduated from a four-year college or university themselves. For this study, I answered the following research question:

What role do older FGC student siblings play in the college-going experiences of younger siblings?

Data was collected using …

Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story Of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, Jordyn Rizzo

Diverse Families Bookshelf Lesson Plans and Activities

No abstract provided.

Supporting English Learners In Elementary Classrooms: How Teacher Preparation Affects El Achievement, Jordan Whitman

Education | Master's Theses

Due to an increasing number of English learning children entering the U.S. public school system (Tinkler., Tinkler, Reyes, & Elkin, 2019), there is a need for teachers to be prepared and feel confident in providing adequate English language instruction and academic content to support these young learners. There is also limited research on the effectiveness of instructional strategies that elementary teachers use to engage and instruct English learning students, including technology as a strategy (Chang & Hung, 2019). This study uses qualitative data analysis to examine instructional strategies and practices, as well as teacher’]s’ own perceptions and experiences that support …

Exploration Into The Graduate International Student Narratives, Diana Budoff

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

Multiple researchers have conveyed an abundance of problems international students face when choosing to study abroad in the United States. A range of emotional, psychological, and physical issues prevent students from fully succeeding. Every international student faces different challenges, and every educational institution has its own prominent issues. In my study, I examined the challenges graduate international students at the University of San Diego (USD) face that might impede them from fully transitioning and adapting to their new environment. I used a mixed-methods approach (interviews and focus groups) to understand the issues impacting the transition and adaptation of international students …

A Whole New World: Understanding The International Student Experience In The United States Through Acculturation, Identity, And Support, Maria W. Nessim

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

This study explores the feelings and opportunities that international students experience while they are studying abroad. Specifically, it investigates acculturation and adaptation to the host country, the students’ cultural identity and sense of belonging, as well as implications for support provided by the host institution.

In order to evaluate these components, an online survey, compiled of 24 open-ended and multiple-choice questions, was distributed to international students at the University of San Diego, asking them to describe their experiences and any indications of challenge and support from the institution in relation to their sense of belonging. The outcomes of this research …

A Case Study On Targeted Support Using Tpack Model For Newly Hired Secondary Mathematics Teachers, Kristin Leigh Mckitrick-Rojas

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

As teachers plan for instruction, technology integration is an important factor in the planning and implementation process. This is become imperative in a virtual learning environment for instructors to be competent (Gregory & Lodge, 2015). Problems exist with integrating technology that aligns with teaching and learning in content areas. Among the many possible factors that contribute to these problems is lack of understanding of technology, lack of support for teachers with technology, everchanging technology tools, inadequate training alignment to instruction, technology training that is not content-specific, lack of support with the integration of technology, pedagogy, and content (Koehler et al., …

More: How To Do More With More In 2022, Harriet E. Watkins, Jacquelyn Cato

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

In 2022 we are dealing with new academic realities. This presentation will investigate current faculty concerns and explore the ways academic coaches assist faculty and put the personal touch in online courses necessary to support and enhance the student experience. Providing the ability to scale and save on instructional costs.

Exceptionally Flawed: A Story About Expectations And Truth, Maria Del Sol Nava

The Vermont Connection

This is my story about the pressures of growing up as a first-gen Latina from a low-income background who was often told my only option was to be exceptional. Putting my all into everything was the only way to be successful; to be the social ladder for my family. Because of this pressure to always be perfect there were many times when I failed to meet false expectations which led to disappointment, dismay, and feelings of imposter syndrome. My successes and failures are valuable, valid, and equal parts of where I am today; with love, support, and lots of tears …

Parents' Experiences Of Teacher Support Related To Their Child's Individual Education Plan: A Phenomenological Study, Linda Hester Henderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine parents’ experiences of the support they receive from their children’s teachers when those children have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and attend public-school preschools. For this study, described support is defined as emotional, instrumental, or informational assistance, along with appraisal received from others during times of need. The theoretical framework for this study is Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler’s model of parental involvement and Epstein’s parent involvement model, which identifies six types of family involvement. These theories fall under Bronfenbrenner’s overarching ecological systems theory. The study includes 10 participants chosen through purposeful sampling. …

Coaching The Dissertation: Hosting A 3 Day Intensive Workshop, Vandy Pacetti Donelson

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

For many students, the process of completing a dissertation stipulates a set of unfamiliar rules, unfamiliar schema, and a foreign field of play that can affect student resiliency. This presentation will describe a 3-day workshop event facilitated by the Robert Block Library in collaboration with full-time faculty to help scholars focus on their own research and writing to support their progress to completion. The workshop incorporated high impact communication practices incorporating the CASEL framework with a combination of panels, one-on-one sessions with faculty members and the research librarian and independent activities. Planning and preparation will be shared and insights covering …