Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 19 of 19

Full-Text Articles in Teacher Education and Professional Development

Why Teachers Feel Unprepared To Address The Social And Emotional Needs Of Students With Dyslexia, Darlene Breaux Jun 2023

Why Teachers Feel Unprepared To Address The Social And Emotional Needs Of Students With Dyslexia, Darlene Breaux

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

Students with dyslexia simultaneously struggle with both literacy acquisition and poor self-esteem and undergo social-emotional learning difficulties. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore elementary general education teachers’ perceptions regarding the dyslexia training they received for addressing the social and emotional learning (SEL) needs of children with dyslexia. The conceptual framework guiding this study was the five core competencies for SEL developed by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. The researcher used a qualitative description research design involving semi structured interviews. The population included 10 elementary general education teachers who taught in first through fourth-grade …


Changing Teacher Perceptions And Actions Through Trauma-Responsive Professional Development, Jason A. Smith, Marilynn Quick Jun 2023

Changing Teacher Perceptions And Actions Through Trauma-Responsive Professional Development, Jason A. Smith, Marilynn Quick

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Most teachers are not trained on how to support students who struggle with trauma. Childhood trauma not only impacts a teacher’s ability to teach, but also threatens their students’ futures. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate teachers’ perceptions and actions when they participated in trauma professional development. Interviews were conducted with 5 teachers and 10 students in a Midwestern urban intermediate/middle school. By the end of the study, teachers stated that they had begun responding to disruptions in more child-centered approaches, and students noticed that their teachers began treating all students more equitably in trauma-informed manners. The …


A Creative Approach To Promoting And Discussing Social Emotional Learning, Lori B. Doyle, Jill L. Swisher Mar 2023

A Creative Approach To Promoting And Discussing Social Emotional Learning, Lori B. Doyle, Jill L. Swisher

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Social emotional learning (SEL) is an important topic in education and a desired area of professional development for teachers. This conceptual essay offers a creative approach in promoting and discussing SEL through the use of haiku poetry. The tenets from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework were synthesized into key concepts and presented as haiku poems as a pedagogical exercise to increase awareness on SEL.


Learning To Lead: Lessons Taken From The Wisest People We Know, Christine Kenney, Aviva Dorfman, Sapna V. Thwaite Dec 2022

Learning To Lead: Lessons Taken From The Wisest People We Know, Christine Kenney, Aviva Dorfman, Sapna V. Thwaite

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

How we engage and interact with young children and what we know about supporting them as they grow into the best versions of themselves is a window into what we also know about adults as they grow into the best leaders they can be. How we support and teach children has informative parallels for what leaders in education might learn and draw upon in their interactions and engagements with the people with whom they work. The goal of this paper is to introduce four principles of early childhood education (emotions and feelings are important, relationships are vital, process orientation is …


Fresh Beginnings: Promoting A Culture Of Teacher Inquiry Through Passion In The Profession, Jonathan Hart, Divonna Stebick Sep 2022

Fresh Beginnings: Promoting A Culture Of Teacher Inquiry Through Passion In The Profession, Jonathan Hart, Divonna Stebick

Journal of Practitioner Research

Teachers are required to participate in professional development and seek meaningful opportunities to truly grow in the profession. Teacher inquiry, or teacher research, is one way to accomplish professional development goals. Teacher inquiry is thought of as individualized, personalized, and meaningful professional development (Cochran-Smith & Lytle, 1999). Teacher inquiry must go beyond a teacher wondering (Dana & Yendol-Hoppey, 2020) where teachers develop a project from their own practice, collect data, and draw conclusions to continue their professional development. In this study a cohort of certificated professionals engaged in a year-long project that included asking research questions and developing an independent …


Collaborative Inquiry To Support Critically Reading Children’S Literature, Laurie Rabinowitz, Amy Tondreau Jul 2021

Collaborative Inquiry To Support Critically Reading Children’S Literature, Laurie Rabinowitz, Amy Tondreau

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

This article provides an overview of a qualitative study investigating how K-5 classroom teachers describe their beliefs, concerns, and planning process for enacting read alouds featuring characters with disabilities. The study explored educators' close reading of picture books to elicit the unpacking of beliefs about individuals with disabilities conveyed by children’s literature. Through dialogue about social issues in picture books with colleagues, teachers sharpened their own critical literacy skills to bring into the classroom. Based on our findings, we offer a collaborative inquiry cycle that teacher groups can replicate to critically read children’s literature for different social justice issues.


Maximizing Teacher Time: The Collaborative Leadership Role Of The Principal, William L. Sterrett, Michele A. Parker, Kris Mitzner May 2018

Maximizing Teacher Time: The Collaborative Leadership Role Of The Principal, William L. Sterrett, Michele A. Parker, Kris Mitzner

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Using data from the 2014 North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions (NCTWC) biennial survey researchers identified a sample from over 2,500 principals. The researchers surveyed 68 principals; 24 principals participated in a 19-item survey containing 5 demographic questions, 7 Likert-scale questions, and 7 open-ended questions. The descriptive analyses revealed that the principals in the study had the highest agreement with time constructs related to “reasonable class size” and “protecting teachers from duties that interfere” and lowest levels of agreement with “efforts made to minimize routine paperwork.” The qualitative analyses shared further principal perspective regarding specific strategies with the seven time constructs. …


Reinvigorating Classroom Practice Through Collaborative K-12 And Higher Education Professional Development, Sean W. Agriss, Katie O'Connor, Louann Reamer, Andrea Reid Jan 2018

Reinvigorating Classroom Practice Through Collaborative K-12 And Higher Education Professional Development, Sean W. Agriss, Katie O'Connor, Louann Reamer, Andrea Reid

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

High school, community college, and university faculty attempted to address student readiness for first-year college English classes by working with each other across sectors in an ongoing, collaborative professional development project, Successful Transitions to College (STC). STC demonstrates that teachers can work across sectors to smooth transitions for students who often navigate multiple educational systems throughout their K-16 experience. This professional development work intentionally built opportunities for faculty to work collaboratively while honoring teaching expertise and shared problem solving. Interest in student transition across academic sectors has created a fresh realization for many teachers—one of the best ways to …


"Professional Learning On Steroids”: Implications For Teacher Learning Through Spatialised Practice In New Generation Learning Environments., Jennifer Charteris, Dianne Smardon Jan 2018

"Professional Learning On Steroids”: Implications For Teacher Learning Through Spatialised Practice In New Generation Learning Environments., Jennifer Charteris, Dianne Smardon

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

There is growing interest in innovative educational space design and the relationality of spatialised teaching practices. This paper addresses the characteristics of spatialised professional learning in newly redesigned or purpose built new generation learning environments (NGLE). The case study is situated within Aotearoa/New Zealand context, a country where there has been considerable policy focus and investment in NGLE. Data from principals who have established NGLE in their schooling settings is analysed, with consideration given to the preparation of teachers to take up spatialised practices. The study highlights key characteristics of spatialised PLD practice – fostering spatial literacy; professional cross-pollination; co-teaching …


Providing Access For Students With Moderate Disabilities: An Evaluation Of A Professional Development Program At A Catholic Elementary School, Matthew P. Cunningham, Karen K. Huchting, Diane Fogarty, Victoria Graf Oct 2017

Providing Access For Students With Moderate Disabilities: An Evaluation Of A Professional Development Program At A Catholic Elementary School, Matthew P. Cunningham, Karen K. Huchting, Diane Fogarty, Victoria Graf

Journal of Catholic Education

After a significant policy change led to the admittance of students with moderate disabilities, St. Agnes School (SAS; pseudonym)—a Catholic PK-8 school in Southern California—implemented an 18-month professional development (PD) program to improve teachers’ inclusive classroom practices. Grounded in the theoretical framework of Universal Design for Learning (UDL; Center for Applied Special Technology, 2015b), the PD program included cyclical, one-on-one instructional coaching sessions that were led by trained UDL coaches and consisted of lesson demonstrations and personalized feedback. While SAS teachers held state credentials, most had very little training to work with students with special needs prior to this PD; …


Introduction: Teacher Leaders - Transforming Schools From The Inside, Gil Schmerler Oct 2016

Introduction: Teacher Leaders - Transforming Schools From The Inside, Gil Schmerler

Occasional Paper Series

Describes the issue's purpose, which is a "modest attempt to restore the issue of teacher leadership to the prominence it deserves and requires" -- author.


A Content Analysis Of Images Of Novice Teacher Induction: First-Semester Themes, Jennifer R. Curry, Angela W. Webb, Samantha J. Latham Sep 2016

A Content Analysis Of Images Of Novice Teacher Induction: First-Semester Themes, Jennifer R. Curry, Angela W. Webb, Samantha J. Latham

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The powerful nature of novice teachers’ experiences in their first years of teaching has been well documented. However, the variance in novices’ initial immersion in the school environment is largely dependent on perceived personal and professional support as well as the environmental inducements that lend to novice teachers’ success in the classroom. For the purposes of this study, 72 participating novices, who were participants in an alternative certification program, drew representations of their current teaching environments. Of the 72 initial participants’ pictures, 58 were used in this content analysis. The interrater analysis involving multiple documentation of codes between and among …


It Is Simple, But Not Easy–Culturally Responsive Leadership And Social Capital: A Framework For Closing The Opportunity Gap, Alisa Taliaferro Oct 2011

It Is Simple, But Not Easy–Culturally Responsive Leadership And Social Capital: A Framework For Closing The Opportunity Gap, Alisa Taliaferro

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal

Instructional designers are not often found in a public school setting. However, the leadership an instructional designer can provide, especially as part of a professional learning community (PLC), could help achieve the transformational change for which many schools are looking. With the issues cited by Hoyle and Kutka (2008) in public education today, such as the drop out rate and increased necessity for remedial coursework at the college level, the need for effective instructional design practices being implemented by high school teachers is great. However, as Moallem (1998) notes, “Teachers’ use of instructional design practices is not encouraging (Driscoll, 1989; …


Teacher Capacity Building In Teaching And Learning: The Changing Role Of School Leadership, Kamaruzaman Jusoff, Omar Kareem, Khuan Bing, Marinah Awang Jan 2011

Teacher Capacity Building In Teaching And Learning: The Changing Role Of School Leadership, Kamaruzaman Jusoff, Omar Kareem, Khuan Bing, Marinah Awang

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal

The continuing professional development (CPD) of teachers has, since the 1980s, become an important subject in teacher education reform in the world (Ding, 2001). Increasingly, it is being realized that teaching is a specialized work and that teachers as developing professionals should reach their maturity both in the context and level of their profession through lifelong learning and exploring.


Educational Leadership And The Continued Need For Minority Academic And Professional Organizations In The Obama Age, Lakerri Mack, Montressa Washington, Nia Cantey Jul 2010

Educational Leadership And The Continued Need For Minority Academic And Professional Organizations In The Obama Age, Lakerri Mack, Montressa Washington, Nia Cantey

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal

Educator preparation and development is a major concern in our current school system. Educators are being challenged with higher demands and requirements in preparing our future generations for the 21st century. Becoming a highly qualified teacher in today’s educational system is dependent, in part, by how well teachers work together with their principal and colleagues. The ability to share with others and collaborate for the purpose of providing instruction that is conducive to enhance student development is critical given the many demands that are being put upon the system.


Impact Of Variations In Distributed Leadership Frameworks On Implementing A Professional Development Initiative, Jeffrey Pedersen, Stuart Yager, Robert Yager Jan 2010

Impact Of Variations In Distributed Leadership Frameworks On Implementing A Professional Development Initiative, Jeffrey Pedersen, Stuart Yager, Robert Yager

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal

Educators, principals, and teachers alike, are being challenged with higher demands and requirements in preparing our future generations for the 21st century. Professional development for teachers is a key focus in school transformation efforts. School transformation in today’s educational system is dependent, in part, by how well teachers work together with their principal and colleagues (Louis, Leithwood, Wahlstrom, & Anderson, 2010). Recent research has focused on the role of the school principal and other site-based leaders in the implementation of professional development initiatives (Pedersen, Yager, & Yager, 2010). Principals play a key role in supporting and encouraging teachers’ professional development …


Professional Redevelopment: Interruptions In Knowledge Management, Joe Procter Jan 2010

Professional Redevelopment: Interruptions In Knowledge Management, Joe Procter

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal

Learning organizations are a strategic response to increased competition due to globalization (Amy, 2007; Dodgson, 1993; Senge, 2006; Tsang, 1997). Organizations that are able to utilize the ideas and energy of their employees are better prepared to operate in a global economy. An understanding of cross-cultural knowledge management for learning organizations is highly relevant and adaptive to a variety of industries because learning is a continuous process for any organization. Educators are important leaders in the development of participants in the global economy. Studies of cross-cultural management in learning organizations inform education and prescribe methods of knowledge management for efficient …


Professional Development For College Students In Tough Economic Times: The Drexel University Co-Op Program Model, Megan Elrath, Joseph Hawk, Nancy Leclair Jan 2010

Professional Development For College Students In Tough Economic Times: The Drexel University Co-Op Program Model, Megan Elrath, Joseph Hawk, Nancy Leclair

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal

The United States is currently experiencing a financial recession with large and lasting consequences. College students and recent college graduates have certainly felt the impact of the current recession. The staff and faculty at Drexel University’s Steinbright Career Development Center (SCDC) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania have developed many initiatives to help both graduating seniors and students enrolled in our cooperative education program land meaningful, relevant employment opportunities. One initiative aims to provide our co-op students with the most effective preparation to not only secure jobs, but to excel at those jobs and make lasting positive impressions on their employers. To accomplish …


Successful Leadership In Turnaround Schools: A Case Study About The Center For Creative Leadership (Ccl) And The School Leadership Executive Institute (Slei), Belinda B. Mcfeeters, Emily Hoole Oct 2009

Successful Leadership In Turnaround Schools: A Case Study About The Center For Creative Leadership (Ccl) And The School Leadership Executive Institute (Slei), Belinda B. Mcfeeters, Emily Hoole

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal

The topic of turning failing schools around has gained significant attention throughout the world within the last decade. Accountability systems from the government to the general community have expressed their concern for this issue, and have called for plans to turn these schools around (Chapman, 2002; Hassel & Steiner, 2003; Levin, 2006; Malen & Rice, 2004; Wong & Shen, 2003). How do principals meet these challenges and successfully turn failing schools around? How can they gain the insight, knowledge and competencies to effectively lead their schools through these challenging times?