Educational Leadership Commons^™

The Spiritual And Emotional Dynamics Of Pastoral Transitions: A Phenomenological Study, Carl Michael Mclaughlin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the central phenomenon of how the spiritual and emotional dynamics of outgoing and incoming pastoral leadership impacted the pastoral transition and to discover common patterns in successful transitions. The central question addressed in this phenomenological research was, “How do pastoral teams consisting of the outgoing pastor and spouse and the incoming pastor and spouse process the spiritual and emotional dynamics of a pastoral transition?” The church is described as a family (Eph 3:15) with spiritual and emotional needs. The pastor should possess personal competence and social competence to lead the …

A Case Study Of Audio Video Technology And Film Teachers’ Preparedness, Brian Ronald Holt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to provide a deeper understanding of audio video technology and film (AVTF) teachers’ preparedness to teach this curriculum in the state of Georgia. Their preparedness will generally be defined as the degree of formal training, or lack thereof, for teaching the AVTF curriculum in Georgia public schools. The research questions were as follows: Central Question: To what degree are current AVTF teachers’ formal training experiences sufficient in teaching a CTE course offering? Sub-Question 1: What are AVTF teachers’ training experiences? Sub-Question 2: What research-based teaching strategies are employed by AVTF teachers? Sub-Question …

Leadership Competencies For Christian Directors At International Schools In Saudi Arabia, Ayanna Saran Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As Christian leaders expand their influence into the Middle East, it is important for both leaders and institutions to know what competencies are essential for these leaders. Educational leadership in Saudi Arabia is under reformation as expats and nationals work in collaboration to lead international schools towards Vision 2030. To compile a list of essential competencies, this exploratory qualitative research explored which skills, behaviors, and knowledge were recommended by recruiters and Saudi principals for international directors. The exploratory research included interviews with three Saudi principals and three recruiters who shed light on the essential competencies for expatriate directors. Based on …

Relationships Between And Student Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy, Growth Mindset, And Mathematics Identity Of Adolescents In A Rural South Georgia Charter School, Carrie Cooper Pierce

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods study investigated the relationships between the constructs of self-efficacy, growth mindset, and mathematics identity among middle school students at a South Georgia charter school. Constructivist grounded theory was used to investigate the strength of these constructs along with student perceptions of what factors make one a math person. The study was an explanatory sequential design consisting of an online survey followed by student interviews. Ninety-one students participated in the survey. Multiple linear regression was used to determine whether a correlation existed between the variables as well as among student subgroups. Self-efficacy was found to be a predictor …

A Case Study Of The Retention-Supporting Needs Of Beginning Teachers In A West Central Georgia School System, Vicki Thrailkill Pheil

Theses and Dissertations

Even though the State of Georgia has issued suggested guidance for new teacher induction programs, not all school systems follow that guidance and varying induction practices have been implemented. Because replacing exiting teachers in the first 5 years of their career has become costly to school systems—both financially and academically regarding student achievement—it is in all stakeholders’ best interest to support new teachers to increase retention rates. The purpose of this case study was to describe 1st-year teachers’ experiences in a West Central Georgia school system induction program and to identify the retention-supporting needs these new teachers reported as part …

A Case Study Exploring The Motivating Factors And Needs That Influence Older Adult Learners’ Decisions To Enroll And Persist In One University System Of Georgia Emajor Collaborative Program, Jennifer Angela Hayes

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study seeks to examine older adult learners' views toward technology use and their motivation, needs, and experiences while enrolled in the eMajor online Organizational Leadership bachelor's degree program offered by the University System of Georgia (USG). The research will investigate what motivates students to enroll in and advance through a degree program and their present technological competencies in relation to online learning management systems. The case study will also strive to identify the demands of older adult learners and the influence online learning has on their drive for program completion. Qualitative data were collected from twelve older …

A Crisis Should Not Be Wasted: A Phenomenological Study On How Female Leaders From Military Academic Institutions Find Common Ground During Crisis, Diana Molodilo

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify and describe the lived experience of female leaders from military academic institutions in finding common ground during crisis situations.

Methodology: This phenomenological study identified and described how female mid-level leaders from Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center and Naval Postgraduate School found common ground during crisis. The population for this study includes all female leaders from military academic institutions in California, which is estimated at 60 to 100, of which 16 were sampled.

Findings: The findings from this research illustrate that female leaders found common ground when they (a) consistently …

2022-08-19 Institutional Animal Care And Use Committee Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate., Institutional Animal Care And Use Committee.

Faculty Senate Records

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee meeting minutes from August 19, 2022.

Faith Development In Eighth-Grade Christian Students Studying Creation-Theory-Based Science: A Phenomenological Study, Stephen Matthew Lowe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived faith development experiences of eighth-grade Christian students following a creation-theory-based curriculum at a Northern Michigan Christian school. The 12 male and female students who participated were aged 13–14 years and self-identified as Christian. The study setting was a small Christian middle school in Northern Michigan. Researchers have thoroughly investigated many aspects of faith development but had not addressed the faith development of eighth-grade Christian students following a creation-theory-based curriculum. The theoretical framework underlying the study was Fowler’s faith development theory. Data were triangulated from semistructured interviews, focus groups, …

Full-Hearted Leading: A Multiple Case Study Of Principals' Sensemaking Toward Implementing Moral Character Development In Elementary Schools, Kimberly Renee Starks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to understand how elementary school principals make sense of moral character development in their schools. The theories that guided this study were Weick’s sensemaking theory and Kohlberg’s moral development theory as it provided explanations to principals’ sensemaking regarding the effectiveness of moral character development implementation in elementary schools. The case studies, in one Midwestern school district, examined ten school administrators’ sensemaking toward implementing essential and effective moral character development programs in their schools. This study utilized a multiple case design that was critical to theory, deviated from theoretical norms, and captured everyday …

The Relationship Between Servant Leadership And Self-Efficacy Among Law Enforcement Officers In Western North Carolina, Anthony Scott Teague

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The role of a servant united with the role of a leader, combines to form the servant leader. The term self-efficacy is defined as a person’s belief in the ability within a specific situation to be successful. The purpose of this quantitative non-experimental correlational descriptive research study was to discover law enforcement officers’ perception regarding the influence of the servant leader behaviors of their immediate supervisor on the officers’ own self-efficacy level in law enforcement officers located in western North Carolina. Law enforcement officers who attended training at two community colleges in western North Carolina was surveyed for this study. …

2022-08-18 Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate meeting minutes from August 18, 2022.

Exploring New Jersey Public And Public Charter School Nurses' Knowledge Levels And Perceptions Of Food Allergies In Schools: A Mixed Methods Study, Lorelei Lorissa Cheli-Voorhees

Theses and Dissertations

The number of children affected by food allergies in the United States is large and increasing. The potential for life-threatening food-induced allergic reactions presents significant risks for students and schools. In the state of New Jersey, nurses are responsible for managing the risks associated with food allergies in elementary and secondary schools. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore and understand the knowledge, perceptions, policies, and practices of New Jersey public school nurses towards food allergies in schools. The participants were certified school nurses who currently work in public and public charter elementary and secondary schools in …

Perspectives Of Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway (Arpep) Program Candidates And Site Facilitators, Mary Frances Lowrey

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions of teacher candidates and site facilitators regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the ArPEP (formerly known as APPEL) teacher preparation program. The study also analyzed the rate for candidates who completed and passed the edTPA and also the rate for those taking and passing the Principles of Learning and Teaching Praxis (PLT). Although there are many alternate teacher preparation programs, ArPEP (APPEL) is the only program in Arkansas void of research noting the advantages or disadvantages of the program. The mixed-methods research consisted of questionnaires sent to all teacher candidates and site facilitators. Interviews were …

Implementing The Steam Concept Through Project-Based Learning At An Intermediate School: A Case Study, Grace Ann Petersen

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact the project-based learning model had on student learning and engagement by examining the perceptions of parents, teachers, school administration, and district patrons of the project-based learning methods implemented at an intermediate STEAM school. The findings should serve to improve the implementation of project-based learning in the public school setting. The mixed-methods case study approach was utilized to gather data on stakeholder perceptions of the project-based learning methods at the STEAM school. A survey instrument was distributed to parents, teachers, administrators and district patrons involved in the STEAM school to elicit …

Arkansas Secondary Administrators’ Perspectives Of Co-Teaching To Deliver Special Education Content: A Phenomenological Study, Anmity Gale Bruton

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to explore the perspectives of Arkansas secondary school administrators regarding the use of co-teaching to deliver special education (SPED) content instruction. Individual interviews and a focus group discussion was used to collect data from nine Arkansas secondary administrators. The findings of this study suggest that Arkansas secondary administrators perceive co-teaching as a beneficial method to deliver SPED content instruction if the co-teaching pair has sufficient training and co-planning time. Additionally, these Arkansas administrators noted a variety of factors influencing the implementation of co-teaching, which include the following: budgets, teacher quality and …

Revisiting Ethnic Differences In In-Person Learning During 2021-2022, Alison Heape, Andrew Camp, Gema Zamarro

Education Reform Faculty and Graduate Students Publications

In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools throughout the United States, forcing a shift to remote learning that lasted the rest of the academic year. In the fall of 2020, schools reopened using combinations of in-person, hybrid, and remote learning models with great geographic variability in access to in-person learning. A growing body of research shows important racial differences in the use of in-person learning during the 2020-2021 school year, with Black and Hispanic students returning to in-person learning at lower rates than white students (Camp and Zamarro, 2021; Kurmann and Lalé, 2022). This in-person learning gap …

2022-08-11 Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate meeting minutes from August 11, 2022.

Enhancing Graduate Student Onboarding To Strengthen Graduate Student Sense Of Belonging And Ease The Transition Into Graduate School, Shannon Patiño

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

The purpose of this action research was to study graduate students' sense of belonging enrolled in programs within the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) at the University of San Diego (USD) and their transition experience. This study was guided by the question: How can I improve new student onboarding programming to increase graduate student sense of belonging during the early stages of our graduate students’ onboarding experience? How can I also create a resource to help ease the graduate student transition into graduate school?

Quantitative and qualitative data was collected through a survey and one-on-one interviews with graduate …

Use Of The Prepare Tool To Increase Completion Rates Of Advance Care Planning Documentation, Janella Thompson

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: One in three adults aged 55 and older admitted to the hospital lack advance care planning. Patients without advance care planning may not receive treatment that reflects their personal values, wishes, and preferences

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was in adults 65 years or older (P), how does the implementation of a patient-centered web-based advance planning tool kit (I) compared to the usual practice of addressing advance care planning (C), affect the completion rate of advance care planning documentation (O) within 10 weeks (T).

Evidence: The current evidence has demonstrated that advanced care …

Recruitment And Retention Of Male High School Peer Mentors: A Phenomenological Study, Elaine Ann King

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was to develop an understanding of the experiences of high school male mentors who participate in mentor activities for peers with disabilities. The study of high school male mentors was viewed from the theoretical viewpoint of George C. Humans’s (1958) social exchange theory, as it addressed the relationships of high school male mentors in terms of establishing, prolonging, and dissolving relationships as mentors for peers with disabilities. The study answered the following central research question: How do male high school mentors of students with disabilities describe their experiences? Criterion sampling was used …

A Phenomenological Study Examining The Experiences Of Public School Teachers Who Provide Support For Chronically Absent Students At The Elementary School Level, Robert Lenn Ralston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of public schoolteachers who provided support for chronically absent students at the elementary school level. The theory guiding this study is Ryan and Deci's (1980) self-determination theory (SDT). The SDT explains extrinsic and intrinsic motivation sources and their roles in social development through three general constructs: competence, autonomy, and relatedness. A screening survey was used to identify 12 elementary teachers from different schools in the southeastern United States who have taught children who were chronically absent. Data was collected through individual interviews, four focus groups, and an e-mailed …

A Predictive Correlational Study Of Higher Education Leaders' Emotional Intelligence Based Upon Leadership Style And Gender, Tamara Vanessa Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A predictive correlational study was done to ascertain predictive capabilities between a higher education leaders’ transformational leadership style and their emotional intelligence. The study also sought to identify any correlation to emotional intelligence or transformational leadership style based upon gender. Higher education is a dynamic and constantly evolving environment. To ensure success, leadership of these institutions must remain flexible and intuitive to the changing ecosystem. A multiple regression analysis was used in the predictive correlational research design to corroborate the impact of emotional intelligence and gender on the level of transformational leadership style. The study participants consisted of 190 higher …

Exploring Intersectionality In School Disciplinary Decisions: A Phenomenology Of The Experiences Of African American Female Administrators, Jennifer M. Anthony

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore how African American female school administrators experience and understand intersectionality regarding discipline outcomes. The theories used to guide this study are critical race theory, first introduced by Bell in 1977, and intersectionality theory coined by Crenshaw in 1989 as they seek to analyze how racism and the intersection of marginalized identities impact school discipline outcomes. The central question that guided this research is how do African American female school administrators experience and understand intersectionality and discipline outcomes? This study used purposeful and criterion sampling to acquire 10 African American female …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of Educators' Experiences Of Well-Being At Independent Private Schools, Kristi Breault Combs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to understand educators’ experiences of well-being at independent private schools. The theory guiding this study was Deci and Ryan’s theory on basic psychological needs. It identifies that the basic psychological needs of relatedness, competence, and autonomy are universal and underlay optimal well-being. I used a qualitative transcendental phenomenological approach to seek in-depth information from the participants about their lived experiences of well-being at independent private schools. The central research question was: How do independent private school educators describe their experiences concerning workplace well-being? Sub-questions addressed well-being related to basic psychological needs: …

Reflections On Inclusive Teaching, Michelle Pacansky-Brock

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The COVID-era has left a lasting impression on each of us. How are college educators applying the full complexity of these experiences to their work to make teaching and learning in all modalities more welcoming, meaningful, and fulfilling for everyone? This reflection opens a conversation about inclusive teaching and invites you to be part of it.

Implementing Tactile Learning To Aid Students Understanding Of The Bohr Model, Christin B. Monroe, Andrew B. Stein, Cindy Tolman

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

It is essential for introductory level chemistry students to understand atomic models and how atoms interact to form chemical bonds. The tactile model in this article utilizes marbles to represent subatomic particles, a cup to represent the nucleus and wooden rings to simulate the electron orbitals. These inexpensive items can be combined to construct models in which students can build foundational knowledge of atomic structure and how subatomic particles interact. Students were asked to provide feedback comparing the use of this tactile model to atomic computer simulations, videos and their textbook regarding the method they felt was most useful to …

A Research Based Approach To Implementing And Sustaining School-Wide Or District Wide Restorative Practices, Brandon M. Lane

Masters Projects

Restorative practices implementation fails for four reasons. First, districts omit or inadequately engage in a readiness to change assessment to initiate the process for RP implementation. Districts fail to identify if it is worth investing, they fail to analyze their school data in conjunction with identifying areas of school improvement to truly determine how RP can positively impact their school community. This is significant because it directly impacts districts ability to secure and sustain administrative support and teacher buy-in. Secondly, districts erroneously introduce RP as a classroom management system rather than a relational quality initiative (Vaandering, 2014; Short, Case and …

Retention Of Novice Teachers, Renna Varano

Masters Projects

The field of education is a constantly unsettled field with new pedagogical trends, new policies and immense attrition rates at every turn. Upon attempting to study the causes and effects of teacher attrition, it can be deduced that there is no one cause yet one major effect: student achievement. Schools that have lower rates of student achievement typically have difficulty maintaining a highly effective teaching staff. This issue affects any and all types of schools, some more than others. In order to guarantee students a right to an equitable education, school leaders must create supportive mentoring and induction programs for …

How Exemplary High School Principals Who Utilize Heart-Led Principles Achieve Extraordinary Results, Jeyan Danesh

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how exemplary high school principals in Riverside and San Bernardino counties lead from the heart using Mark Crowley’s four principles (building a highly engaged team, connecting on a personal level, maximizing employee potential, and valuing and honoring achievements) to accomplish extraordinary results in their organizations. Methodology: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 8 high school principals to better understand how the use of heart-led principles can lead to extraordinary results on a high school campus. Interview data were collected, transcribed, and coded for themes, allowing the researcher to triangulate data and …