Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

Exploring The Competencies Of Educators Who Serve Transgender Learners In Secondary School, Genevieve C. Godin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The majority of transgender youth have learning experiences in school that are less than optimal; however, there is a paucity of research on the competencies of educators of transgender learners that could ameliorate the comorbidities and adversities they endure in secondary school. The purpose of this study was to explore what knowledge, attitudes, and skills educators apply to serve transgender learners in secondary school. The conceptual framework of servant leadership was used in this inquiry. A single case study design was used to examine a secondary school participating in the Alberta Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Educator Network that serves …

Lecture Versus Collaborative Learning Methods In Community College Classrooms, Gwendolyn A. Vaughn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Educational scholars have recommended using collaborative learning in higher education classrooms to improve the learning outcomes of community college students. The problem is that many community college instructors continue to use traditional lecture methods, which might be due to instructors not being convinced of the merits of collaborative learning. The purpose of this quasi-experimental, causal-comparative, repeated measures, research study was to examine the difference between pre- and posttest change scores on the Personal Community Health assessment of students who were taught with the collaborative method and students who were taught with the lecture method. The theoretical foundation for this …

Early Childhood Educators’ Use Of Students’ Assessments For Data-Driven Decision Making, Brandy Shanice Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The research problem addressed by this study is that educators do not know how students’ assessments are being used for data-driven decision making to plan for instruction and design curriculum. Data-driven decision making has been implemented throughout the Southeastern region of the United States for several years as part of public-school reform efforts. The purpose of this basic qualitative study with interviews was to explore how early childhood principals, academic coaches, and teachers used students’ assessment data for data-driven decision making to plan for instruction and design curriculum in two rural schools. This study addressed local concerns about how educators …

Minority Child Care Providers' Perspectives Of Barriers To Timely Associate Degree Completion, Sonia G. Pruneda-Hernandez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem this basic qualitative study sought to address was the length of time it takes minority childcare providers (MCCPs) seeking an associate of applied science degree in early childhood (EC) education to graduate from a community college. For MCCPs to acquire a degree and meet educational requirements, they often work full time to complete the degree, which may result in loss of employment, closure of their family child care homes, demotion in positions, or decreased salaries. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of MCCPs on the barriers to timely degree completion of an associate degree …

Middle School Science Teachers’ Experience With The Change To Inquiry-Based By Instruction, Patricia Adams-Gouthro

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Middle school science teachers in a Northeastern urban school district incorporated an inquiry-based curriculum (IBC) using the full option science system (FOSS) to improve instruction; however, the teachers struggled to change their teaching practices. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore teachers’ experiences with and their changes in instructional practices using the FOSS curriculum. The concerns-based adoption model was the framework that guided this study. The research questions focused on identifying the levels of use, stages of concern, and experiences and needs teachers had using the FOSS curriculum. A purposeful sample of 14 middle school science teachers, …

Educators’ Perspectives On Parent Engagement In Rural Title I Charter Schools, Patricia Ann Burns

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

At a rural Title I charter school serving K-3 students in the Southeastern United States, educators have noted low levels of parent engagement. A low level of parent engagement can lead to low levels in student achievement. Educators wish to understand the benefits of parent engagement, barriers to parent engagement, benefits of parent engagement, barriers to parent engagement, and ways to increase parent engagement. The purpose of this basic qualitative study with interviews was to address the local problem by exploring rural Title I charter school educators' perspectives on benefits of, barriers to, and strategies for increasing parent engagement. Epstein’s …

Understanding Teachers’ Experiences Implementing An Innovative Early Literacy Program, Stephanie Callaway

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the lack of effective literacy interventions for the development of reading skills for primary students who are at-risk for dropping out of high school. The purpose of this study was to examine early literacy instruction by exploring the insights and perspectives of primary educators who participated in a literacy intervention program known as the supporting literacy model. The conceptual framework was based on sociocultural learning theory and self-efficacy theory. The main research question for this qualitative multiple case study addressed the experiences of teachers and instructional coaches who implemented the supporting literacy model. …

Perceptions Of Administrators And Teachers As Facilitators Of Students’ Socioemotional Learning, Crystal January

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Current conditions in the United States have resulted in an increasing number of middle and high school students experiencing trauma. To improve positive learning environments and graduation rates, a Southern school district transitioned from punitive, exclusionary consequences to restorative practices such as socioemotional learning (SEL). A bounded qualitative case study was used to explore the perceptions of administrators and teachers regarding teachers’ facilitation of SEL, the most effective strategies to facilitate SEL, and teacher preparedness to facilitate SEL. The study was guided by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning framework. Data were collected from 5 teachers and 3 …

Teachers' Perspectives On The Prepared Environment As A Component Of The Toddler Curriculum, Maria Varela

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is insufficient research about teachers' perspectives on the prepared environment as a component of toddler program curriculum. Previous studies suggested the need to further investigate how teachers prepare toddler program environments to promote children's optimum development to meet their developmental milestones in group-based education. The conceptual framework for this study was grounded in Montessori's prepared environment and Malaguzzi's concept of environment as the third teacher. Twelve teachers with 3-19 years of experience in toddler education programs participated in semistructured interviews to answer three research questions about their perspectives on the prepared environment as a component of toddler program curriculum …

How Teachers And Counselors Collaborate Formally And Informally To Improve The Precollege Curriculum, Amanda Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers and counselors in a large suburban district in the Southeastern United States strive to collaborate to equip students with key skills needed to succeed in their first year of college. The problem is that little was known about the collaborative challenges teachers and counselors faced as they implemented the precollege curriculum in secondary schools. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine how teachers and counselors collaborate formally and informally to improve the precollege curriculum as recommended by the guidelines of the American School Counselor Association and adopted by the local district. Knowles’s theory of andragogy provided …

Preservice Teachers' Perceptions Of Public School Violent Intruder Drills, Kati Oakes Pusey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Public schools in the United States are increasingly implementing violent intruder drills in response to school shootings; however, the impact these drills have on the well-being of preservice teachers is not fully understood. A lack of knowledge also exists as to how intruder drills contribute to preservice teachers’ motivation to enter the profession. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of preservice teachers who have participated in violent intruder trainings and drills. Using prospect theory as the framework, the key research questions addressed preservice teachers’ perceptions of violent intruder incidents and drills as well as their …

Prekindergarten Teachers' Perspectives Of Supporting The School Readiness Of English Language Learners, Shannon Rice

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem examined in this study was that English language learners (ELLs) are not meeting readiness proficiency, which contributes to the growing learning gap between ELLs and their native English-speaking peers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain an understanding of prekindergarten teachers' perspectives about what is needed to increase their effectiveness in teaching ELLs. The conceptual framework for the study was Vygotsky's sociocultural theory. Prekindergarten teachers' perspectives were examined to understand how they assess, create goals, and monitor the learning progress of ELLs as well as how they can be further supported by colleagues and administration. Data …

Perceptions Of Novice Teachers’ Early Departure Decisions In A Southern Rural High School, Angela Marie Fortenberry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

One significant issue in U.S. public schools is the need to determine the root cause of the early departure of novice teachers. The problem that was the focus of this study was the departure of novice teachers from a southern rural high school prior to completing 5 years in the profession. The purpose of this project study was to explore novice teachers’ perceptions about early departure from the local high school. Fishbein’s expectancy-value theory was used in this exploratory case study to gain insight on seven novice teachers’ perceptions related to their early departures. The research questions focused on perceived …

Clinical Nurse Experts' Experience Of Transitioning To The Novice Nurse Educator Role, Crystal Toll

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Clinical nurse experts are often recruited into educator roles based solely on clinical expertise. Without support and mentorship, clinical nurse experts struggled with transitioning into the educator role. The purpose of this study was to understand the experience of new nurse educators’ transition from a clinical nurse expert to novice nurse educator and to examine the perceptions of supports and barriers. Transitional theory provided the conceptual framework and informed the development of the interview protocol. The research questions focused on the experience of transitioning from expert to novice and on identifying supports and barriers that influenced transition. Using a case …

Reported Literacy Engagement Among Low-Income Parents And Their Children., Olugemi Ojo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Little is known about literacy engagement between low-income parents and their preschool children, although it may affect children's language development and later school achievement. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine shared reading interactions among low-income parents and their children. The research questions addressed the lexical diversity of books read and the shared book reading experience of preschool children as reported by their low-income parents. The conceptual framework was based on the work of Hart and Risley, who proposed that the extent and value of literacy environment and collaboration during shared book reading are linked to the socioeconomic …

Lecture Versus Collaborative Learning Methods In Community College Classrooms, Gwendolyn A. Vaughn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Educational scholars have recommended using collaborative learning in higher education classrooms to improve the learning outcomes of community college students. The problem is that many community college instructors continue to use traditional lecture methods, which might be due to instructors not being convinced of the merits of collaborative learning. The purpose of this quasi-experimental, causal-comparative, repeated measures, research study was to examine the difference between pre- and posttest change scores on the Personal Community Health assessment of students who were taught with the collaborative method and students who were taught with the lecture method. The theoretical foundation for this …

Nigerian Early Childhood Educators' Perspectives On The Influence Of Divorce On Children's Academic Achievement, Monica Ufuoma Peremine Wosowei

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parental divorce has profound negative effects on children's performance in school. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore Nigerian early childhood educators' perspectives on the effects of divorce on children's academic achievement and strategies or suggestions for working with these children. The conceptual framework of this study consisted of three theories: Bowen's family systems theory, Piaget's theory of cognitive development, and Vygotsky's theory of social constructivism. Two research questions focused on educators' perspectives on the effects of divorce on children's academic achievement. Data were collected from 12 educators who are the participants using the inclusion criteria and …

Stakeholders' Perspectives On Coaching And Family Child Care Provider Program Quality, Elizabeth S. Rodano

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although evidence exists that coaching is an effective method of professional development, there is limited understanding of the collaborative dynamic between coaches and family child care providers during the coaching process. The purpose of this study was to explore family child care providers and coaches perspectives about how a shared understanding is reached during the coaching process, as well as to determine how both parties perceive this shared understanding to influence their perspectives of program quality. This study was grounded in Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, which posits that learning occurs through interactions after a shared understanding between two individuals is reached. …

Perceptions Of Urban School Principals On Urban Teacher Retention, Latonya Stredic

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have indicated that principals can play a crucial role in motivating teachers to stay or leave. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions of principals who work in urban schools as related to overcoming the high attrition of teachers in their schools. Using transformational leadership theory as a framework to address research questions, data were collected from semistructured interviews with 12 principals. Using a 7-question interview protocol, this study sought perspectives on the causality of urban teachers’ attrition, including leadership practices that help with hiring, sustaining, and retaining teachers on urban school campuses. Interviews were …

Perspectives Of Teachers, Directors, And Parents Regarding Male Teachers In Early Childhood Education, Tabiyes Montrell Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was the focus of this study is the lack of male teachers in early childhood classrooms. This problem is important because it suggests failure of gender equity in early childhood hiring. The purpose of this qualitative study was to increase understanding of the perspectives of teachers, directors, and parents that may contribute to the lack of male teachers in early childhood classrooms. The conceptual framework of this study comprised work of Koch and Zeelenberg et al. on gender-based stereotyping and risky decision-making in hiring. Data were gathered from interviews with 20 participants, including childcare center directors, female …

Special Education Teacher Retention In The Early Years, Caroll Brant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The intent of this qualitative study was to examine the impact of intrinsic motivators and extrinsic workplace experiences on the retention of beginning special education teachers of students with low incidence disabilities (LIDs). This study was designed in response to district leaders’ shared concerns of the continuous turnover experienced annually in several districts in a region of a southern state. Two research questions were developed to gain a deeper insight into the influence intrinsic and extrinsic factors have on beginning special education teachers’ decisions to stay in the self-contained, LID classroom. Ten beginning special education LID teachers participated in interviews …

Prekindergarten Educators' Perspectives On Professional Development About Transgender And Gender-Nonconforming Children, Danita Marie Norris Mccray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Young children start to develop an understanding of gender and gender identity in prekindergarten. Early childhood educators require professional development in creating safe, supportive learning environments for transgender and gender nonconforming children. Limited research has focused on prekindergarten educators' knowledge, skills, and dispositions about supporting transgender and gender nonconforming children in their classrooms. Framed by Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory and Derman-Sparks antibias early childhood concepts, the purpose of this basic qualitative study with interviews was to explore prekindergarten educators' perspectives on professional development about transgender and gender nonconforming children. Data were collected using semistructured, in-depth interviews with 12 prekindergarten educators …

Principal And Teacher Perceptions Of How Principal Motivational Leadership Practices Influence School Climate, Emily Harber Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research indicates that school leadership influences the success of student outcomes through school climate. However, little is known about how principals and teachers perceive principals’ motivational leadership practices and how these leadership practices influence school climate. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of seventh and eighth grade principal and teacher perceptions of principal motivational leadership practices influence on school climate. This study was based upon Sullivan’s motivational language theory and Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory by way of the utilization of the conceptual framework on charismatic leadership. The research questions focused on principal and …

First-Grade Teachers’ Perspectives On Children’S Oral Reading Fluency And Automaticity, Keshia Wood

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Reading fluency and automaticity are essential components of the first-grade reading curriculum, yet little is known about teachers’ perspectives on their role in assisting children in mastering these skills. The purpose of this basic qualitative research study was to explore teachers’ perspectives of the problem of low reading fluency and low automaticity among their first-grade students. The theory of automatic information processing in reading formed the conceptual framework, augmented by Rasinski’s techniques of repeated reading and readers theater to support development of reading fluency and automaticity. Research questions about teachers’ perspectives of oral reading fluency and automaticity, their understanding of …

The Socialization And Academic Engagement Of Black Males In A Christian High School, David Flowers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black males in a metropolitan private Christian high school (PCHS) in the Midwest encounter unique sociocultural experiences that may be associated with racial microaggressions and the struggles of fitting in that can negatively impact academic success. The problem that was addressed in this study was the need for more specific information on how Black males fit socially into the local PCHS, and their attitudes towards academic achievement. Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and Tajfel’s social identity theory were used in this case study to explore the sociocultural experiences of 6 former Black male students and 5 members of the school staff. The …

Best Approaches For English Acquisition With Primary English Language Learners, Roxanna Gario

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The education reform that took place in the emirate of Abu Dhabi set the standard that all students attending state-governed schools would be literate in their native language of Arabic as well as English, which was being taught in schools as a second language. However, school data documented achievement gaps in English reading among English language learners (ELLs) at a primary school in Abu Dhabi. The purpose of this study was to investigate the best approaches used by English medium teachers to teach reading to ELLs in order to provide recommendations for student improvement. Guided by Krashen’s monitor model, this …

Online Instructors’ Experiences And Adaptations To Transitions Within A Learning Management System, Helen Johns

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Changes in a Learning Management System (LMS) require instructors to learn and adjust, but not much is known about these learning experiences. Framed by Kolb’s experiential learning theory, the purpose of this this qualitative case study was to explore and understand how instructors learned and adjusted within the LMS. The research questions addressed how the instructors learned and adjusted when experiencing new functions, updates, or expectations within the LMS and what internal and external factors supported them. Eight instructors were selected through purposeful sampling and then interviewed by phone. The purposeful sampling method ensured that selected participants met the following …

Preschool Teacher Perspectives Of Crisis Preparedness, Sara Ann Machado

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this study was to understand the perspectives of preschool teachers

regarding school-based emergency planning in independently funded childcare centers.

Current research has investigated perspectives of crisis preparedness by a variety of

school staff but has not yet included the extent to which preschool teachers feel prepared

to handle a school crisis event. This study was based on the integrated model of school

crisis preparedness and intervention proposed by Jimerson, Brock, and Pletcher. This

study examined how preschool teachers describe the effect of crisis preparedness drills

and training on their ability to handle school crisis events prior to, …

Examining Predictors Of Birth Outcomes: Implications For Early Childhood Development And Policy, Cissy Lee Mattingly

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While the infant mortality rate has improved significantly in the United States in recent years, a Black-White disparity persists. The problem is the high infant mortality rate in the state of Texas. The purpose of this quantitative multiple logistic regression study was to examine disparities in birth outcomes in the state of Texas by race, ethnicity, and other significant predictors related to socioeconomic status. The Mosley-Chen theoretical framework bridges the gap between social science and biomedicine to identify key predictors of infant mortality including socioeconomic factors for studies in child development. The 2 research questions examined if race and ethnicity …

Head Start Teachers’ Self-Efficacy And Experiences Teaching Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Leronda Phillips

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism spectrum disorders are pervasive developmental disorders in which a student’s inability to communicate, undeveloped social skills, and restricted interests require intervention from trained professionals. Autism spectrum disorder is an eligibility for special education where students can be affected by the presence of a lack of qualified teachers. Teachers who work with students with special needs experience more frustration and burnout than do teachers of typical students; research has suggested that teachers with higher self-efficacy have more success than do teachers with lower self-efficacy. The study’s theoretical basis was derived from Bandura’s self-efficacy theory. This phenomenological qualitative research study explored …