Education Commons^™

Challenging The Deliberative Consensus: Participatory Strategies, Transparency And Citizen Trust Across Municipal Contexts, Fadel Al-Marsoumi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the relationships between participatory governance strategies and multidimensional citizen trust in municipal contexts. Although local governments have implemented deliberative forums, digital platforms and hybrid participation approaches to restore declining public confidence, inconsistencies between theoretical predictions and empirical outcomes have raised questions about participatory governance effectiveness. Motivated by this gap between deliberative democracy theory's optimistic predictions and limited empirical support, the study investigates the psychological, political and contextual mechanisms that shape trust formation through civic engagement. Drawing on an integrated framework combining organizational trust theory and deliberative democracy frameworks, the research conceptualizes trust as a multidimensional construct involving …

Secondary English Teachers’ Perceptions And Experiences With The Ela Guidebooks Curriculum: A Phenomenological Study, Bodie Dufrene

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

As standards-based curriculum reforms expand across the United States, school districts have increasingly adopted scripted curricular materials to promote coherence across classroom practice and strengthen alignment to standardized assessments. Within Louisiana, efforts to align English instruction to the Common Core State Standards manifested in the creation of the ELA Guidebooks curriculum by the Louisiana Department of Education. Guidebooks provides teachers with sequenced units of instruction organized around a central novel, explicit directions, pacing guidance, and cumulative writing tasks aligned to central unit questions. This qualitative study explored how secondary (i.e., grades 6-12) English teachers perceived and described their experiences implementing …

Curriculum For A Two Semester Calculus Course Specializing In Life Science And Data Science, Patrick Mcclain

LSU Master's Theses

Traditionally, introductory calculus has been designed for engineering and physics students, often leaving students majoring in data science or life sciences with a curriculum that lacks professional relevance and is overly reliant on problems that focus on computational fluency. This thesis proposes a two-semester sequence, called MATH 153X and MATH 154X, specifically tailored for the Louisiana State University (LSU) Dual Enrollment program and university-level data science and life sciences majors. By integrating modern computational tools—such as symbolic calculators and artificial intelligence (AI) tools—the proposed curriculum shifts the pedagogical focus from procedural symbolic manipulation toward conceptual literacy.

Through a series …

2026-03-26 Faculty Senate Newsletter, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate newsletter from March 26, 2026.

March 26, 2026 Minutes, Swosu Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Examining Perceptions Of Minority Underrepresentation Among The United States Special Forces General Officers (O7-O10), Vincent X. Telfare

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While the broader Department of Defense (DoD) has implemented important initiatives to advance equitable representation, the United States Army Special Forces (SF) has historically had a different distribution of diversity among General Officers (O7 to O10). This study explored the perceptions underlying this disparity through a qualitative narrative inquiry, using semi-structured interviews with selected retired SF officers of O6 and higher ranks. By examining participants' career experiences and perspectives on the Army's promotion system, this study seeks to illuminate the structural and cultural underpinnings that affect minority promotions to General and senior leadership positions in the Special Forces. Of course, …

Aiw26s: Prompt Engineering, Ila Lama

Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute Publications

This workshop introduced participants to prompt engineering and how to effectively communicate with AI systems. Led by Ila Lama, the session covered key strategies such as defining goals, providing examples, setting constraints, and refining prompts to improve AI-generated outputs.

Participants explored applications of AI across domains, including education, business, and social media, while also discussing responsible AI use. The workshop emphasized that strong prompt design leads to more accurate, structured, and useful results, and that AI should be used to enhance human creativity and decision-making.

Early Literacy Footprints: Analysis Of Elementary School Students' Initial Reading Abilities Using Early Grade Reading Assessment (Egra), Novi Safitri, Rina Heryani, Angga Hadiapurwa, Atep Sujana

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

Low initial reading skills are an indication of low student literacy. This research aims to analyze the early reading skills of Phase A students, which includes grades 1 and 2 of elementary school. The research used a descriptive qualitative method, involving 122 students from two elementary schools in Garut Regency, aged 6 to 8 years old. The instrument used in this study was the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) reading test. The results of the study showed that 68% of students in Phase A had early reading skills in the category of needing guidance. Meanwhile, 6.6% of students were in …

Linguistic Realization Of Marketing Strategies In Food Discourse: A Pragmatic Study On Instagram Account, Titik Sudartinah, Emi Nursanti, Regita Sekar Arrum

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

In today's digital era, speech acts are not only realized through face-to-face communication but also manifested in online interaction. One of the prominent platforms where online interaction occurs is Instagram. Nowadays, Instagram functions not only as a medium for sharing personal moments but also as a powerful business tool for promotion. This study examines (1) the types of speech acts employed in the @voilajogja culinary Instagram account and (2) how these acts manifest marketing strategies in food discourse. The study applies Searle's (1979) speech act theory and Kotler and Keller's (2021) marketing management framework within a mixed-method design. The analysis …

Development Of Big-Ideas Guided Thematic Unit Module For High School English As A Foreign Language Instruction In China, Wang Han

Student Works (2020-2029)

The 2017 National English Curriculum Standards for Senior High Schools in China position “Big Ideas” as a central organizing principle for thematic unit design. The absence of Big-Ideas oriented instruction is often linked to fragmented learning, rote memorization, weak knowledge transfer, and limited higher-order thinking, which collectively hinder the attainment of national core competency goals. Existing studies and teacher survey data suggest that students lacking exposure to Big-Idea pedagogy underperform in cross-text reasoning, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. Teachers also face multiple challenges: a superficial understanding of Big Ideas, a lack of structured instructional tools, and constraints posed by exam-driven …

Transformational Leadership In Higher Education, Dr. Jewel Hale, Jr., Kristi Apostel

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

A crisis can highlight the critical need for resilient leadership within higher educational settings. Educational leaders encounter extraordinary difficulties, ranging from different learning options to prioritizing the well-being of both staff and students, necessitating flexible and innovative methods. By exploring how school leaders apply transformational techniques in actual educational environments, this article addresses the impact of the four I’s of transformational leadership, idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, on building educator resiliency, sustaining school effectiveness, and promoting student achievement in higher education.

Silent Detonations: Redirecting Focus, Preserving Identity, And Leading Under The Weight Of Microaggressions, Ray Lavan

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

African American educational leaders consistently navigate racial microaggressions that challenge their focus, identity, and well-being. This study explores how these leaders deploy attention to manage the emotional weight of microaggressions in K-12 public school settings. Using Gross’s emotion regulation theory and Sue’s taxonomy of racial microaggressions, this qualitative phenomenological study examines how attentional deployment serves as both a shield and constraint. Data from the African American leaders reveal that silence, background processing, selective focus, and redirection to professional goals are common strategies to sustain composure. These strategies protect leaders in the moment but create emotional strain, identity conflict, and cumulative …

Fierce Leadership-Perspectives Of Black Women Educational Leaders: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Janice Taylor, Dianne Reed

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

The authors of this transcendental phenomenological study aimed to describe the lived experiences of Black women based on their perceptions, values, and beliefs about the complexities of leadership and the kind of leadership required to succeed in their respective roles, as educational leaders. This study was framed by the adaptive leadership theory. Adaptive leadership recognizes the need for leaders to stay flexible and resilient in fast-paced environments (Nelson & Squires, 2017). The three Black women leaders in this study were fierce adaptive leaders. The information acquired from this study is significant and highlights how Black women educational leaders developed the …

Being-Their-Ship: A Presence-Based Model Of Human-Centered Leadership, Ricky J. Martinez

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

Being-Their-Ship describes a presence-based approach to leadership grounded in lived experience rather than positional status. Developed over years of service in rural education, the framework highlights leadership as a relational practice grounded in steadiness, quiet support, and a willingness to take responsibility for others. Drawing from autoethnography and narrative inquiry, the framework articulates four interconnected dimensions: Caring-Ship, Loving-Ship, Load-Ship, and Being-There-Ship, that define leadership not through authority but through consistent action and cultural trust. Each dimension reflects how leadership emerges when individuals become a stabilizing presence, absorb burdens that others would otherwise carry, and remain committed to a community through …

Research Literacy And Research Production Skills As Core Competencies In Leaders, Kk O'Byrne

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

No abstract provided.

Teaching Experience And Burnout During Remote Learning, Tony Durr, Nicole Graves, Patrick D. Hales

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

During the spring of 2020 many K-12 teacher were forced to transition their classes to remote learning environments. This study examines the extent to which teaching experience related to symptoms of burnout reported by teachers when switching instruction to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results indicated that years of teaching experience was a significant predictor of the emotional exhaustion component of burnout, with mid-career (β = 0.966, p ≤ .001) and veteran teachers (β = 1.085, p ≤ .01) reporting significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion compared to novice teachers. These results indicate that novice teachers experienced less burnout …

Exploring Geometry Teaching And Learning Through Self-Study, Linnea Kallebo Ms., Ayse Ozturk

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Self-study is a powerful tool for improving teacher effectiveness, particularly in mathematics instruction where misconceptions can significantly impact student learning. This self-study examines my evolving understanding of geometry concepts and common student misconceptions encountered during a teaching geometry course. Through reflection, peer discussion, and analysis of misconceptions, this study reveals how examining both my own learning and students’ thinking can inform self-adjustment of teaching strategies. Findings highlight the importance of building new geometry concepts on mastered ideas and pairing self-study with evaluation of student responses to improve instructional decision-making.

Self-Study In Learning And Teaching The Pythagorean Theorem, Julia Podolskiy, Ayse Ozturk

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Old Dominion University undergrad student Julia Podolskiy performed self-study research on learning and teaching the Pythagorean Theorem. The poster provides purpose, methods, results, and future directions on how Julia Podolskiy's knowledge on the Pythagorean Theorem has improved over the course of a semester and how she plans to implement the theorem to her teaching.

Beyond Words: Supporting Nonverbal Autistic Preschoolers With Exceptional Cognitive Abilities, Dawn Timms

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

This project explores how caregivers can support autistic preschoolers who are nonverbal yet demonstrate advanced cognitive abilities. Grounded in communication theory and neurodiversity‑affirming practice, it reframes communication as a shared, relational process that extends beyond spoken language. Drawing from interdisciplinary research, I created a strengths‑based caregiver communication toolkit that translates complex theory into clear, practical strategies families can use in everyday routines. This work honors the intelligence of children whose thinking outpaces their speech and equips caregivers with tools that make communication more accessible, responsive, and affirming.

What Do Preservice Teachers Know About The Scoring And Interpretation Of A Reading Fluency Assessment?, Miranda L. Sigmon, Jeremy Lopuch

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Literacy instruction is a crucial topic in preparing future educators. Literacy skills are a continued concern as reported by the nation's proficiency scores (NAEP, 2024). Teacher preparation regarding effective literacy instruction should involve literacy assessment, including the purpose, administering, scoring, and interpretation of assessment data. This study addressed the following question: what is preservice teachers' knowledge, accuracy in scoring, and analysis of results for a reading fluency assessment? Participants learned about oral reading fluency (ORF) assessment, practiced administering and scoring, and noted strengths and weaknesses of assessment data from a recorded second-grade assessment. Results show understanding of the assessment tool …

Pre-Service Teacher Perceptions, Katie Swart

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Several studies over the past five decades have shown that when families are involved in their child's education, it improves academic achievement (Barger et al., 2019). Beyond academic achievement, family and community engagement is also associated with better behavior, increased attendance and graduation rates, social skills, and mental health (Hiatt-Michael, 2001). Educator preparation programs (EPPs) can play a vital role in shaping pre-service teachers' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and values (Darling-Hammond & Baratz-Snowden, 2007). Moreover, researchers claim that teachers' beliefs are among the most important predictors of their classroom behaviors and practices (Buchanan et al, 1998; Vartuli, 1999). As such, pre-service …

Stoicism For Teacher Well-Being, Jessica L. Richardi

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

An approach to improving educator retention is to promote teacher well-being. The ancient Greek philosophy of Stoicism is an apt resource for teachers to mine for tools to maintain emotional equanimity. Stoic principles underlie modern cognitive behavioral therapy, and recent studies examining the relationship between stoic attitudes and wellness have yielded promising results. Importantly, Stoicism is accessible, practical, and adaptable to teachers' needs. While Stoicism cannot eradicate the very real challenges teachers face day-to-day, adopting stoic practices can help individual educators protect their well-being while on the job.

Lessons Learned From Field Experiences Of Special Education Preservice Teachers During A Pandemic, Rhonda D. Miller, Meaghan S. Avery, Nicole Uphold, Jamia Thomas-Richmond

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Field experiences provide opportunities for preservice teachers to apply instructional procedures and theories in authentic classroom settings (Leko & Brownell, 2011). The ever-changing landscape of public school classrooms makes teacher preparation a challenge. In this study, ten participants, special education preservice teachers (PSTs) in the semester before student teaching, recorded their experiences from their field experiences during a pandemic. We explored the types of activities that PSTs engaged in, the challenges that they faced, and lessons that were learned as a result of the experience. Results showed a reduced number of hours in the field, challenges with instructional practices and …

Using Constructivist Practices To Build Preservice Teachers' Understanding Of Personalized, Competency-Based Learning, Lindsay Yearta, Lisa Harris, Julia Wilkins, Christine Lotter

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

As teacher educators, we have always been certain of the active, iterative nature of learning, and we strive to facilitate experiences that allow our preservice teachers to learn in robust, authentic ways. When, three teacher educators from three universities situated in a southeastern state and one education associate from a state department of education, started working together in the fall of 2022 with the desire to help our preservice teachers better understand personalized, competency-based learning (PCBL), we knew how important it would be to center our learners and, in doing so, facilitate active, reflective learning experiences for them...

Highlighting Leadership Competencies On Principal Practices In A Rural School District, Shannon Goodacre, Jeremy Watts

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The purpose of this research was to describe how high school principals in rural, high-performing high schools in Fee County Schools practice leadership to promote a positive school environment. The emphases on high-performing schools and a rural school district are inclusive to why these leaders were chosen. Assuming the leaders who influence the learning environment in these schools could be considered experts, the researchers endeavored to understand what these experts notice about their leadership methods that positively affect the learning environment. The goal of the study was to determine what skills high school principals employ to promote a positive learning …

Using Concept Maps And Reflective Narratives As Authentic Assessment Of Readiness For Inclusive Classrooms, Jeremy Lopuch, Christopher O'Brien, Debra Lockwood, Sequita Lipscomb

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The purpose of this study was to continue a line of inquiry into the usefulness of quantitative and qualitative analyses and interpretations of concept maps for assessing preservice teacher candidates' knowledge of inclusive teaching. Specifically, there is little published data on the qualitative analysis of concept maps measuring instructional knowledge and skills associated with teaching in inclusive classrooms. Using a convenience sample of 13 teacher candidates enrolled in a teacher education program, participants were asked to create a concept map of their knowledge about students with disabilities and a reflective narrative statement on the first and last day of the …

Dare We Imagine The Future Of Scate?, Benjamin Parker

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

As the newly elected President of the South Carolina Association of Teacher Educators, I have troubled myself with the task of communicating my vision for the future of our organization. It is with great honor and respect for those who have forged the path to our present state that I ask that we collectively endeavor to imagine how a united and energized group of educational experts can positively affect change by embracing a mantra of, “what if?”. In service of that goal, I humbly ask you for two things; an open-mind toward the usefulness of futurism as an orienting approach …

Full Issue: Volume 19, Number 1, Winter 2025, Judith Collazo, Suzanne Horn

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This file contains the full issue of TEJSC, including front matter, table of contents, editorial notes, and articles.

Ideas And Activities For Strengthening Multilingual Learners' Academic Vocabulary, Jennifer Altieri

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Research suggests that while the number of multilingual students in schools is growing, there continues to be an achievement gap. Often, the difficulty is related to reading comprehension and, more specifically, vocabulary. Given the fact that academic language takes longer to develop than social language skills, it is important that multilingual learners receive additional support related to developing academic language. Content-specific vocabulary development plays a key role in academic language. This article discusses the types of vocabulary terms that are important to teach, suggestions for ways to create a classroom environment conducive to developing the terms, and specific activities which …

From Childhood Reads To Classroom Needs: Reading, Identity, And Emotional Navigation Of A Black Woman Scholar In Education, Samantha Asbury

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This qualitative study examines how a Black woman college student navigates academic stress, racialized gender expectations, and emotional well-being in a predominantly White Education program. Using Critical Race Theory, the study explores how identity-affirming reading practices and intentional social media boundaries serve as both resistance and survival strategies. Findings reveal how systemic marginalization demands emotional labor from Black women while also highlighting their resilience, agency, and creative coping strategies. The study calls for more culturally responsive practices that nurture rather than diminish marginalized students' voices and wellbeing.