Education Commons^™

She Speaks With Stars: Teacher Support For American Indian Students Who Are Gifted And Have Experienced Trauma, Tracy L. Olson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Olson, T.L. She Speaks with Stars: Teacher Support for American Indian Students Who Are Gifted and Have Experienced Trauma. (2025)

This qualitative study utilized grounded theory analysis through the use of survey and interview to research how teachers support American Indian students who are gifted and have experienced trauma. The study focused on survey results as well as interviews of a selection of teachers from various grade levels, years of experience working with American Indian students, and roles in the educational system. The themes that emerged from the data illustrate the imperative need for more research into Native American students …

Analyzing The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Achievement Gap: The State Of Education In Minnesota From A Superintendent's Perspective, Jillian Stockmo Chapman

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education systems globally, nationally and in Minnesota. This created difficulties but also opportunities for innovation, especially for students most impacted by educational inequities. This dissertation investigates the impacts of the pandemic through three related research questions: (1) In what ways did COVID-19 impact Minnesota’s achievement gap? (2) How do superintendents describe the impact of COVID-19 on their districts and their districts’ disparities? And (3) What have been some of the most innovative opportunities districts’ have explored to recoup learning loss emerging from the COVID-19 crisis?

Using a qualitative research design that is grounded in a transformative …

What Not To Teach While Teaching: How An Educator's Implicit Bias Can Negatively Impact A Black Student's Educational Experience, John Mark Tinsley

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the experiences of African American students who have experienced implicit bias in educational settings, addressing the research question: "What are the narratives of African American students who have experienced instances of implicit bias in the classroom?" Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Critical Race Theory as frameworks for inquiry, six randomly selected African American high school seniors were interviewed about their experiences regarding implicit bias during their time through grades K-12. Key findings revealed students' sophisticated pattern recognition of discriminatory treatment, limited positive media representation impacting self-perception, severe lack of African American teachers, curriculum gaps reducing Black history …

Freedom, Agency, And Relevance: Finding A Path To Revolution In A Suburban Public High School, Eric E. Turner

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Turner, E. (2025). Freedom, Agency, and Relevance: Finding a Path to Revolution in a Suburban Public High School

Revolutionary pedagogy and revolutionary school transformation is usually confined to charter schools, alternative schools and micro schools. What happens when it is attempted in a large traditional suburban high school? That is the central question of this dissertation. This research focused on the autoethnographic reflections of the program coordinator going through the process of attempting to create a Project Based Learning program grounded in revolutionary ideals within the confines of a large traditional suburban high school. The research also involves informal interviews …

Lessons From A Life In Transition: An Autoethnography Of Regional Attitudes Toward Transgender Educators, Birdie Miller

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the lived experiences of a transgender educator navigating public school systems in Mississippi and Minnesota. The purpose of this research is to illuminate how systemic discrimination, lack of institutional support, and cultural attitudes toward gender identity affect both the personal and professional lives of transgender teachers. Using an autoethnographic approach, I analyzed weekly journal entries written over multiple school years across three distinct school settings. These reflections were thematically examined to identify patterns related to identity negotiation, resilience, workplace discrimination, and moments of resistance.

The findings reveal the emotional toll of teaching in environments where safety and …

Building Bilingual Education Programs In Japan: Insights From Administrators In Private And International Schools, Megan C. Roe

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This qualitative study examined the lived experiences of school administrators who lead bilingual programs in private and international schools in Japan. Through in-depth interviews with 11 administrators, the study examined how leaders navigate program design, curriculum choice, and program oversight in response to their community’s needs and stakeholder expectations. This research aimed to contribute to the limited literature on bilingual education within Japan’s unique cultural and educational context. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using a phenomenological approach to identify four emerging themes: Designing Responsive Bilingual Programs, Instructional Approaches that Support Bilingual Learners, Aligning Expectations and Operational Realities, …

Sjsu Erfa News, Summer 2025, San Jose State University, Emeritus And Retired Faculty Association

Emeritus and Retired Faculty Association (ERFA) Newsletter

Volume 38, No 4

Exploring Teachers' Perceptions And Experiences In Adopting And Implementing High- Quality Instructional Materials At A Public Charter School In A Mid-Atlantic State, Marietta Maloy Williams

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This action research dissertation examines the perceptions and experiences of public charter school teachers in a Mid-Atlantic state regarding the adoption and implementation of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). Using a mixed-methods approach, the study investigated the impact of HQIM on teaching practices and student outcomes. A survey, followed by focus groups, gathered both quantitative and qualitative data from a targeted population of K–8 teachers. Data analysis included thematic coding of focus group discussions. Findings reveal significant challenges in HQIM implementation, highlighting the need for enhanced professional development and ongoing instructional support. The study concludes with implications for practice and recommendations …

The Lived Experience Of Religious Trauma Among Transgender And Gender Diverse People: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Patrick T. Meyer

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Religion has served as a framework to support the psychological well-being of people across cultures throughout human history, yet there is growing scholarly and public interest in how religious institutions and people inflict harm on members through spiritual means. Extant literature demonstrated that transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people experience gendered microaggressions in religious spaces, and their social position within the church likely holds unique insights into the subjective experience of religious trauma. Even though research with people who have had adverse religious experiences has increased over time, little is known about TGD people who experience lasting psychological damage due …

Extracting From The Extracurriculum: Using Extracurricular Composition Practices To Bring Purpose, Voice, And Engagement Back To The English Classroom, Grace N. Ellis

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis explores how principles and practices from extracurricular literacy spaces and the extracurriculum as a whole can inform and revitalize the secondary English classroom. In response to growing student disengagement, apathy, and disconnection, particularly within highly standardized and product-focused classrooms, this argument investigates how programs such as the Nebraska Writers Collective’s All Writes Reserved program and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Young Writer Camp model authentic engagement, identity exploration and development, and rhetorical agency through creative, student-centered writing practices. Drawing from composition theory, educational research, and experiential data from Nebraska-based writing initiatives, the thesis argues that incorporating choice, safe-risk taking, …

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Psychology 209: Human Growth And Development Course Redesign, Sarah E. Swims

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Pos 120 Introduction To Political Science Course Redesign, Dale Gardner

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Music 124: Non-Western Music Course Redesign, Matthew A. Dixon

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Criminal Justice 127: Juvenile Delinquency Course Redesign, Cristina Prestin

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Anthropology 101 Course Redesign, Lauren Anaya

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Anthropology 103 Course Redesign, Sarah Latham

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Economics 101 Course Redesign, Andrew Painter

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Communications 120: Interpersonal Communication, Sarah Benevento

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Sociology 101 Course Redesign, Dorie Geissler

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Theatre 125: Film History Course Redesign, Diana Jaher

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

News From Uab Libraries, 07 2025, Uab Libraries

UAB Libraries News

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of An English Language Learner Program In A Florida Middle School, Kristifer M. Harden

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

A growing number of English Language Learners (ELLs) exists within the United States. The purpose of this study was to explore administrators' and teachers' perceptions of a school district’s ELL program and determine how those perceptions align with the ELL supports used in the classrooms of a small school district in Florida. The study intended to answer the question: How do the perceptions of an ELL program held by the administrators and teachers responsible for the implementation of the ELL program differ from one another and from the ELL supports being provided in classrooms? This qualitative case study was developed …

Navigating Learning Gaps: Exploring Elementary Teachers’ Perspectives On Literacy-Based Strategies For Ells In Group Instruction, Ashley N. Banegas

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Teachers are to implement frequent pedagogical self-reflection to effectively differentiate instruction in whole-class and small-group settings for English language learners (ELLs). This qualitative, exploratory case study explored the perspectives of general elementary education teachers toward implementing varied instructional strategies used to target the literacy learning gap in ELLs. This current study investigated 12 kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers from a public charter school in southern Florida who participated in an interview or completed a journal entry. Information retrieved from scholarly literature and data were analyzed to answer this study’s three research questions. Findings determined the importance of teachers’ learning about their …

Nh Ece 2025 Data Snapshot Infographic, Harshita Sarup, Jess Carson, Tyrus Parker

New Hampshire Early Care and Education Research Consortium

The NH ECE 2025 Data Snapshot infographic provides easy access to data describing and explaining the early care and education landscape in New Hampshire. Learn about Granite Staters' need for child care, the high prices that families face, the low wages earned by child care workers, and the high operating costs of care. The infographic also offers a policy snapshot featuring the reach of the NH Child Care Scholarship Program.

Multilevel Intersectionality And The Deployment Of Disability In Schools, Rachel Elizabeth Fish

Education and Child Study: Faculty Publications

Teacher perceptions of and decisions about students’ academic ability and behavior are key to the micro-level production and maintenance of inequality at the intersection of gender, race, and disability in schools, yet we know little about how these micro-level processes relate to meso-level features. Using an experimental survey design of 369 factorial vignettes, I tested for racial and gender differences in 276 teachers’ ratings of referral to begin disability evaluations—what I call the deployment of disability—across 115 Wisconsin schools with varying racial compositions. Findings show that teachers in schools with low proportions of White students were less likely to deploy …

The Use Of Visuals In Preschool Settings To Improve Student Engagement And Student Participation At Group Timet, Lexie Flug

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Engagement are participation in early childhood are essential for social growth and child development. Distractions at group time are a barrier to student engagement and participation. These distractions lead to less instructional time. Research shows higher levels of engagement and participation increase academic success. This inquiry-based research study aims to determine if the visual support of "Give Me 5" increases student engagement and participation at group time. The study utilized a qualitative approach, using classroom observations and teacher questionnaires for a preschool classroom. The findings revealed that implementing visual support at group time increased student participation with a slight increase …

The Importance Of Collaboration Between Teachers And Mental Health Professionals To Support Trauma-Impacted Students, Kimberly Lemonds

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Students impacted by trauma face emotional and behavioral challenges that affect their learning and social development. Collaboration between early childhood educators and mental health professionals is critical to providing effective support, yet this partnership often remains informal and inconsistent. This inquiry-based mixed-methods study explored how such collaboration functions in an early childhood center serving preschool and kindergarten students. Data from surveys and interviews with educators and mental health staff revealed barriers including limited time, unclear roles, and insufficient training. Despite these challenges, participants emphasized the benefits of structured communication, joint professional development, and school-community partnerships. The study highlights the need …

Sel Integration Into The Kindergarten Curriculum, Brooke Kingsley

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This inquiry-based research project investigates the effectiveness and efficiency of integrating social emotional learning (SEL) into the kindergarten curriculum. With a growing number of young learners entering school lacking foundational emotional regulation and social skills, the study examines how explicit SEL instruction can be embedded meaningfully into daily academic routines. The researcher used qualitative methods, including teacher surveys, reflective journaling, literature review, and analysis of classroom behavior artifacts from a rural Iowa school district. Six kindergarten teachers participated in the survey, providing insight into current SEL integration strategies, perceived effectiveness, and common barriers. Results showed that while all teachers integrate …

Project-Based Learning Vs Traditional Teaching Methods, James Kingsley

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This study explored how teachers compare Project-Based Learning (PBL) with traditional teaching methods in elementary classrooms. Many schools today still rely heavily on lectures, worksheets, and test-based instruction, which can leave students feeling disconnected and unmotivated. This research began with the problem that students often lose interest in learning when it feels disconnected from the real world. The purpose of this study was to better understand teacher's perspectives on PBL and whether they believe it increases student engagement, learning, and life skills. Using a mixed-methods survey with both multiple choice and open-ended questions, the study gathered responses from elementary educators …

A Call To Care: An Investigation Of Rhetorical Inquiry In First-Year Composition Educators, Madison Brooke Naimo

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout colleges and universities across the country, First-Year Composition is known to be a general education course requirement that commonly works to set students up for academic success throughout their postsecondary educational journey and pursuits. This general education course works to focus on developing composition-based skill sets that help students in various academic areas and disciplines of study throughout their undergraduate degree completion (Kinnevay, 1971; The Council of Writing Program Administrators, 2014). While much scholarship in First-Year Composition has focused on student growth and development, there have been minimal practical considerations and examinations of a large stakeholder in this education …