Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

What Will It Take To Keep You? A Phenomenological Investigation Of Teacher Career Decisions In Title I Elementary Schools., Tonya Nicole Holt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the factors influencing teachers’ decisions to remain in or leave Title I elementary schools in Kentucky. Grounded in Herzberg’s Motivation–Hygiene Theory, the study examined the interplay of intrinsic motivators and extrinsic conditions that shape teacher satisfaction, commitment, and attrition. Twelve current Title I teachers participated in semi-structured interviews designed to capture their lived experiences and perceptions of work in high poverty contexts. Analysis revealed a balance of pull factors—such as purpose, relationships, and supportive leadership—and push factors—including workload, resource limitations, and inadequate administrative support. Leadership quality emerged as the central variable mediating these forces. Teachers …

Response To Intervention Implementation With Culturally Diverse Students, Alysia R. Chatman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative descriptive study examined how elementary educators implement response to intervention (RTI) and multitiered systems of support with culturally and linguistically diverse students. Drawing on self-determination theory and culturally relevant pedagogy, the researcher conducted semistructured interviews with five participants, three classroom teachers, one interventionist, and one campus administrator from three Title I elementary schools in a large suburban Texas district. Transcripts were analyzed through thematic coding. Four themes emerged: (1) training and preparedness for RTI implementation, (2) administrator support and follow-through, (3) understanding and application of culturally responsive teaching, and (4) RTI meeting structure and process. Participants reported a …

Perceptions Of Practitioners: An Examination Of Practices For Retention And Support Of Special Education Teachers, Megan L. O'Dell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher attrition remains a critical challenge in public education, particularly among special education teachers who face unique legal, instructional, and emotional demands. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of current and former K–5 special education teachers to better understand the practices and resources that influence their decision to remain in or leave the profession. The central research question investigated how leadership, professional learning, and working conditions shape teacher sustainability in special education roles. Twelve participants, including six currently employed special education teachers and six who had exited the profession, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data analysis revealed five major themes: …

Teacher Leadership And Specially Designed Instruction: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Teacher Leaders And Special Education Teachers In Elementary Settings, Tangie M. Rahming

Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of teacher leaders and special education teachers as they implemented Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) in elementary school settings. Despite SDI being a federally mandated component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), research consistently shows wide variation in how teachers interpret, deliver, and sustain SDI in real classrooms. Limited professional development, inconsistent coaching structures, and varying understandings of SDI across schools contribute to persistent gaps in implementation fidelity. To address these challenges, this study explored how teacher leaders support SDI implementation and how special education teachers make meaning of their instructional …

Universal Design For Learning: Practical Implications For Christian Educators, Hannah S. Kennedy, Kate Scarborough, Bryan Gill, Lisa L. Beckham

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

The Universal Design for Learning framework, designed by David Rose and Anne Meyer (2002) is an evidence-based approach to teaching that proactively targets learner variability and meets the unique needs of all students in the classroom. This framework aligns with our faith-based mission as we are called to the Christ centered belief that all people were made in the image of God. The three guiding principles of Universal Design for Learning are: multiple means of representation, multiple means of engagement, and multiple means of action/expression. By adopting the principles of universal design for learning, educators can proactively plan, implement, and …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Educator Well-Being Through Teaching Sel: A Classroom Pilot, Laticia Follansbee, Madison Reid Reid, Chanda Murphy, Allison Henry

River Cities Industrial and Organizational Psychology Conference

Early childhood educators are expected to teach social emotional learning (SEL) in their classrooms, while educators themselves are in need of SEL as much as their students due to stress and burnout in this occupation being at an all-time high. We ran a small pilot study of a mindfulness, audio-based SEL tool (Moshi) to see whether brief daily use leads to easier implementation of SEL in the classroom and, in turn, relates to better educator well-being. In this qualitative study, we analyzed 12 transcripts from interviews and focus groups with 16 educators from 12 elementary schools after at least six …

Developing A Classroom To Support Culturally Responsive Teaching: A Culturally Responsive Aspiring Teacher Assignment, Steven K. Sharp, David L. Conrad

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Following the development of the [State] Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards (CRTL), one University teacher preparation program created an assignment to challenge aspiring educators to think critically about culturally responsive teaching. With structural challenges such as tracking and culturally biased standardized testing, the program needed to evaluate how aspiring teachers would address those challenges while delivering a diverse curriculum, connecting with home and families, and valuing different linguistic backgrounds. Within a course on cross-cultural education, we developed a four-part assignment aligned with the course textbook by Nieto and Bode (2018). First, candidates created a reasonably diverse classroom to simulate …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

The Effect Of Perceived Principal Leadership Styles And School Type On Elementary Teacher Self-Efficacy, Karen M. Gonzalez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of perceived principal leadership styles and school type on elementary teachers’ self-efficacy. The study examined two research questions. The first examined differences between teachers’ self-efficacy in Title 1 and non-Title 1 schools, and the second examined differences in teacher self-efficacy and perceived principal leadership styles (authoritarian, democratic, and laissez-faire). The convenience sample included 129 elementary teachers from social media teacher groups that taught in various Title 1 and non-Title 1 school districts. I used a quantitative, causal-comparative method to collect data and survey questionnaires that identified trends in leadership styles …

Mental Health Awareness For Teachers: A Review Of The Literature, Jerry Burkett

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which an individual realizes their abilities and can cope with the normal stresses of life (Bohare & Tiwari, 2020). These individuals are productive in their work, life, and communities. These people can manage their mental health challenges which can range from high to low (MHFA, 2020). Research is showing a growing need for expanding mental health support in K-12 schools. Schools are in a unique position to address today’s mental health crisis among members of the education community. (Mcluckie et al., 2014; National Association of School Psychologists, 2015; Ormiston et al., 2021). …

The Role Of Peer Networks In Elementary Teacher Preparation Programs, Bayan Alnaim

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research provided insight into how peer networks related to the professional learning of TC as they moved through an elementary teacher preparation program. These formal and informal peer networks helped nurture collegiality among TCs to aid learning and provide emotional support, which allowed an edge toward forming an identity. This study examined the particular role of teacher networks in TCs’ learning (Al Sultan, 2021; Anderson et al., 2022). The study applied Social Constructivism and Communities of Practice frameworks to analyze the influence of peer networks on the development of teaching skills and professional identities. Data from TCs participating in …

Longitudinal Case Studies: Using Pat Data To Inform Teaching And Learning, Shani Sniedze, Marc Kralj

Assessment and Reporting

The ACER Progressive Achievement approach includes PAT assessments that measure what students know, understand, and can do across the domains of Reading, Spelling, Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation, Maths, Science, Inquiry and Problem Solving in STEM Contexts, and Critical Reasoning. The results of PAT assessments are available immediately to schools. This helps schools diagnose student needs and implement teaching and learning strategies in a timely manner. If PAT assessments are used at recommended intervals, schools can also see student learning growth over time. This collection of Progressive Achievement Test (PAT) case studies conducted across 2022–2024, demonstrates how PAT assessments are used …

Rethinking Civic Education. A Review Of Education For Liberal Democracy: Using Classroom Discussion To Build Knowledge And Voice, Jordan Garner, Colton Morton, Palak Shah

Democracy & Education

In his book Education for Liberal Democracy: Using Classroom Discussion to Build Knowledge and Voice, Walter Parker (2023) takes a centrist approach to redesigning civic education. Throughout the book, Parker provides valuable strategies teachers can implement into the K–12 social studies classroom to teach for democracy. While we believe Parker's instructional strategies lay the groundwork for reshaping civic education, we contend that the book does not adequately address issues of inequality and inequity. We would also challenge Parker to think about how teachers can educate for democracy outside of the social studies curriculum in the United States and globally. …

Orientation Toward Consensus—The “Safest” Path For Teachers To Choose? A Response To “Agreement And Disagreement In Teachers Talk”, Stine Johansen Utler

Democracy & Education

In “Agreement and Disagreement in Teachers Talk” the author shows how Norwegian initial education teachers (Grades 1–4) are consensus-oriented in their facilitations of classroom deliberations. The author emphasizes what teachers say and do when they guide their pupils toward consensus, but reflections on why teachers are consensus-oriented are less prominent. In this response to “Agreement and Disagreement in Techers Talk,” I point to conditions and factors in the Norwegian society and the Norwegian educational context that might explain why a consensus orientation is prevalent among the teachers.

Embedding Social And Emotional Learning Into Educator Preparation Programs: An Alternative Certification Perspective, Valerie Flanagan, Lisa Fulks, Wanetta Morrow

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This study discusses the impact of integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum into alternative certification educator preparation programs (EPPs), in response to prior research indicating the lack of SEL strategies in schools. It offers a review of educator preparation students’ thoughts concerning SEL implementation, as well as their selection of and reflection upon embedding SEL skills into lessons. Participants serving as teachers of record during their coursework reported positive outcomes in the classroom resulting from lessons including SEL content. Given the increasing importance of SEL in addressing students’ diverse developmental, behavioral, and academic needs, preparation for educators must go …

Developing Civic Competence With Educative Curriculum Materials Featuring A Historical Photograph Of Antarctica, Cory Callahan

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Here the author advocates for an innovative teaching approach synthesizing three research-based, instructional strategies: promoting civic competence within international and global contexts, planning with educative curriculum materials, and exploring historical photographs for higher-order thinking. He traces the crafting of an exemplary lesson through this approach and discusses its underpinning rationale. The lesson helps students and teachers think deeply about land claims and resource disputes in Antarctica while addressing a persistent value conflict throughout history: balancing national sovereignty and international law. A teacher-friendly narrative constitutes the lesson plan; however, it is not teacher-proof, as teachers are encouraged to make instructional decisions …

Whose Histories Will A Genai Tool Generate? Prompting Chatgpt-4 For Diverse History Lesson Plans For The Cold War Space Race, Robert W. Maloy, Sai Gattupalli, Torrey Trust

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

This paper explores strategies for teachers to use in prompting ChatGPT-4 to develop diverse history lesson plans for the Cold War Space Race. Prior research showed that when given a single, broadly phrased “design a lesson plan” prompt, chatbots are less likely to generate material about experiences of African Americans, women, and other historically marginalized groups. We tried two alternative prompting strategies: a) Change the wording of the prompt to incorporate James Banks’ Levels of Multicultural Content Model, and b) Change the source of the content for the prompt by using teacher-curated materials from an open online wikispace, resourcesforhistoryteachers that …

Teaching Inquiry: A Guiding Template Fosters Critical Thinking, Barbara D. O'Donnell, Abigail C. Schwent

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

This article provides a supportive way to address the marginalization of social studies by teaching inquiry through the use of a template. Inquiry based learning encourages students to make real-world connections by engaging in problem solving and exploration through research. It fosters higher level skills like critical thinking, evaluation, and synthesis of knowledge through experiential learning (Bell, Urhahne, Schanze and Ploetzner 2009). Using inquiry to investigate social studies topics encourages the use of sources from diverse perspectives to understand the complete picture of the event being researched. Teaching social studies through inquiry is a daunting task due to multiple obstacles …

The Teaching And Learning International Survey 2024: Non-Response Bias Analysis Report For Australia, Katherine Dix, Toby Carslake

OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)

This report considers potential non-response bias in the 2024 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS). Analysis in this report demonstrates that Australia’s ISCED 1 and ISCED 2 respondents are representative of the broader school and teacher populations, strongly supporting a ‘Fair’ rating for data quality, particularly given the high in-school principal and teacher responses rates.

Talis 2024 Australian Report: The Teaching And Learning International Survey, Tim Friedman, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Katherine Dix

OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)

The OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) collects internationally comparable data on the learning environment and the working conditions of teachers and principals in schools across the world. This report outlines the results of the 2024 survey of Australian teachers under the headings of: teaching for today's world; thriving in teaching; the demands of teaching, developing teacher expertise, teacher leadership and autonomy, professional relationships in schools, and sustaining the teaching profession. Australia’s participation in TALIS 2024 was managed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

Red: A Crayon’S Story Bibliotherapy, David Wolff

OER Materials

The goal of this assignment was for preservice teachers to practice writing a chain of questions that focused on the social and/or emotional needs of young learners. Bibliotherapy is therapeutic in nature to help individuals understand themselves and the world around them through guided reading experiences (American Library Association, 2025; Delisle & Galbraith, 2002). Further, bibliotherapy allow individuals to identify a personal problem mirrored by a character in a book. As the reader connects with the character, the reader experiences the emotions expressed by the character. Finally, the reader applies the character’s experience to their own personal problem (American Library …

Reimagining Civic Education In The United States: Integrating Research, Policy, And Practice For Democratic Renewal, Delante Clark

Graduate Scholarship and Creative Works

Civic education in the United States faces persistent challenges, including inequitable access, curricular fragmentation, and reluctance to address controversial social and political issues. This paper presents a comprehensive synthesis of research, policy analysis, and practice-based case studies to reimagine civic education for the 21st century. Drawing on core scholarship supplemented with additional peer-reviewed studies on school segregation, charter school demographics, and race-conscious student assignment policies, the study examines the historical evolution of civic education, structural inequities, political avoidance, and promising innovations. Using a qualitative synthesis approach, the findings highlight five thematic areas: structural inequities, curricular misalignment, sanitized narratives, limits of …

Covid's Impact On Our Youngest Learners, Scottie Ellsworth

Journal of the Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression

Project Mentor(s): Amanda Obery, PhD; Wendie Castillo

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted education, leaving lasting effects on elementary students’ academic development, particularly in literacy and reading comprehension. This research investigated the long-term educational impacts of the pandemic by drawing on qualitative insights from interviews with five educators across a range of specializations, including general education, interventional support, and multilingual learning. Using inductive thematic analysis and descriptive coding, the study identified key themes that reflected shifts in academic achievement, student behavior, attendance, and school priorities post-pandemic. These findings illuminate critical areas where students require support and outline the structural, instructional, and …

Do Our “Window And Mirror” Books Leave Shards Of Broken Glass?, Brianne R. Pitts, Jill Hermann-Wilmarth

Michigan Reading Journal

In this article the authors apply Bishop’s (1990) windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors as an analytical framework that, along with critical literacy practices, can be used to enhance the social studies and literacy instruction. The stories we share in elementary classrooms teach students about their future possibilities. As teacher educators, we wondered about our students and our complacency with powerful ideas from foundational scholars in literacy and education. Using Bishop’s (1990) metaphor as an analytic tool, students’ critical disciplinary literacy projects are assessed for future instructional goals, leaving readers with eight practical tools for classroom instruction and critical assessment …

Hands-On Stem In Ghana: Inspiration For Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Globally, Alhassan Issifu, Mawuena A. Hanson, Heather R. Beem

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Many educators are increasingly seeking culturally relevant pedagogies they can employ to effectively engage their students. In Ghana a substantive set of hands-on STEM content has been created, incorporating locally available materials and cultural approaches while maintaining alignment to the national curricula. Against a backdrop of almost no public primary or junior high schools in the country containing any lab equipment, this approach leverages and celebrates the abundance of what is available within the locality. This challenges narratives of what is considered “good” and recenters power back with those in the classroom. Three sample activities and three firsthand stories are …

Autonomous Versus Collaborative Online Professional Development: Discovering The Differences In Teacher Learning And Perceptions, Michelle Thomas, Heather Tellier, Jennifer Urbach, Corey Pierce Ph.D., Holly Baker-Hill

Journal of Educational Research and Innovation

Online, asynchronous professional development (PD) offers flexibility for learners, yet what is the most effective way to provide online PD? While current research suggests online platforms can be effective for learning, there is a lack of studies examining differences between fully autonomous, asynchronous modules and those that are asynchronous but still collaborative. This mixed-method study examined the learning differences and perceptions between two cohorts of special education teachers as they went through an eight-unit online course on dyslexia. One cohort received an autonomous platform without interaction among the students or instructor. The other cohort received the same content, but online …

Framework Integration In Academia: Moving From Theory To Practice, Lori B. Doyle, Kara S. Bratton, Timothy Young, Catherine Webb, Cari A. Chittick, Heather L. Vezner, Rebecca A. Stanton, Tanya M. Tarbutton

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Character education has been a point of focus and research in K-12 education dating back to the 1990s. The work of integrating a character-forward framework in higher education is now considered a beneficial and impactful practice. One university has successfully completed the initial work of integrating a servant leadership framework in the School of Education using an approach in line with the community of practice model. The authors of this paper work together and have each played a key role in not only the early stages but the ongoing phases associated with maintaining and improving. This theory-to-practice article begins with …

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Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Publication rights to works is granted to Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities, however, full copyright for works published in this journal is retained by the author(s). The author(s) may post their works online in an institutional repository, on their University departmental website, or on their own personal websites.

Teachers' Perceptions And Readiness For Ai Integration In Under-Resourced K-12 Classrooms, Valerie Riggs

Journal of Research Initiatives

This study explores how educators from under-resourced schools, who participated in an AI Summer Research Institute hosted by a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), perceive the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in their classrooms. Using both quantitative data from post-survey responses and qualitative reflections from virtual interviews, the study examines how teachers anticipate AI will influence their teaching strategies and student engagement, and what long-term benefits or concerns they associate with AI integration. The findings indicate that while teachers are optimistic about AI's potential to enhance engagement and personalization learning, they also express uncertainty regarding its long-term impact and …

Challenges In Providing Equitable Education For Primary School Students With Learning Disabilities In Zimbabwe: Teachers’ Experiences., Joyce Madzinga

Dissertations

This study examines the challenges primary school teachers in Zimbabwe face when supporting students with learning disabilities (LDs). Many learners with LDs are excluded from adequate classroom support due to systemic, cultural, and resource limitations. Learning disabilities are often under-recognized as compared to other disabilities because they are invisible. Raising awareness and empowering educators are crucial steps toward addressing these hidden needs and ensuring they are recognized and met. Six teachers were interviewed using a qualitative ethnographic approach. Findings reveal obstacles, including insufficient training in special education, limited teaching resources, high pupil-teacher ratios, negative societal attitudes, and poverty-related constraints. Additional …