Promoting Positive White Racial Identity Development In K-12 Teachers: A Qualitative Case Study, Johnny Cole

Educational Studies Dissertations

The process of racial identity development (RID) is widely agreed to be the process by which an individual comes to understand the role race plays in their sense of self, how it influences their ability to acquire information and reach goals, how it affects their interpersonal interactions with others, and the manner in which it assigns group membership in the larger society. The formative years students spend in K-12 educational environments can play an important role in their RID; thus educators’ awareness of these developmental processes can potentially help dismantle the systems of inequity within a critical race theory framework …

A Qualitative Descriptive Study Exploring The Perceptions Of New Teacher Induction Supports, Tonya Dixon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem of novice teachers leaving the profession in the first few years of their career represented a global issue and an increased attrition rate. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the perceptions of novice U.S. teachers and effective systemic supports provided to new teachers through the lens of social capital. For this study, the intangible components of social capital emerged through the development and fostering of mentoring relationships in an induction program. The methodology used was a qualitative descriptive study using a survey, interviews, and thematic analysis of the survey and interview data collected. The …

Enhancing Teachers’ Tpack And Self-Efficacy Through Content-Based Technology Professional Development, Chloe Wilson

Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to examine the impact of content-based instructional technology on teacher’s TPACK, specifically the technology related knowledge domains, and instructional technology self-efficacy. Demographic data was compared for correlations with TPACK or self-efficacy ratings. Additionally, the professional development model was evaluated by gathering teacher perceptions. A pre- and post-intervention survey was conducted to gather TPACK, self-efficacy, and perceptions of professional development. Findings were consistent and built upon previous research. Teachers experienced growth in all TPACK technology knowledge domains and displayed increased instructional technology self-efficacy ratings. Additionally, suggestions from previous research regarding best practices for …

Sharing Stories Of Development: How School Leaders Perceive Developing A Trauma-Informed School, Mandy L. Cyr

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This narrative inquiry explored how educational leaders perceive the development of a trauma-informed school. A trauma-informed school acknowledges the impact of trauma and responds by integrating effective practices, programs, and procedures to build resilience. The problem addressed by this study is, with rising numbers of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), school staff lack targeted skills to help students mitigate trauma. Further, this qualitative study fills the gap in literature by providing the lived experiences of educational leaders in developing trauma-informed schools. Through narrative research, semistructured interviews which lasted up to 60 minutes were individually conducted with five educational leaders who …

Leading Through A Trauma-Informed Lens, Taylor Van Clay

Graduate Teacher Education

Abstract

This paper examined research on what is necessary for leaders to lead and create a school culture that supports students through a trauma-informed lens. This research looked for findings from multiple quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies which examined the importance of effective leadership, the necessity of professional development for educators, and the implementation of trauma-informed practices that will lead to student success. The research revealed specific factors that lead to beneficial leadership outcomes along with interconnectedness of purposeful and ongoing professional development and implementation of trauma-informed practice due to the fact that response to student behaviors is not intuitive. …

Encouraging Equity Through Rural Elementary Professional Learning, Jana K. Stone

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This study employed design-based research to explore the efficacy of professional learning materials and approaches in developing social justice advocacy with rural elementary teachers in Appalachia. Bronfenbrenner’s (2005) bioecological theory and Boler’s (1999) pedagogy of discomfort formed the theoretical framework for the design, implementation, and analysis. Mid-way through the study, Allport’s (1954) contact hypothesis was included to inform the revision of intervention approaches. Four elementary teachers attended seven in-person informational discussion meetings over five months. During this time, these teachers also read two books and completed journal responses and surveys. The qualitative data was analyzed using Braun and Clark’s (2006) …

Behind The Scenes: Instructional Coaches’ Perceptions Of Curriculum Leadership Development, Cora C. Garner

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations

Since the 20th century, instructional coaching has influenced curricular and pedagogical practices that impact student achievement in K-12 schools; however, the existing literature provides minimal evidence of their experiences in curriculum leadership development. To fill the research gap, this study explores instructional coaches’ perceptions of their professional learning related to curriculum development and leadership. The research questions included (1) How do ICs perceive professional learning opportunities for curriculum leadership? and (2) How do instructional coaches describe the development of their curriculum coaching knowledge and practices? Upon applying the conceptual framework, which included the Saylor et al. (1981) curriculum development model …

Experience Of Early Educators Currently Enrolled In The North Coast Teacher Induction Program: A Case Study, Melissa Hodgson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The teacher induction program is a 2-year program designed to support new teachers in their first two years of teaching. The program was created to provide job-embedded support to set teaching goals, attend professional learning to increase understanding of the California standards for the Teaching Profession, and provide teacher mentor support. In more recent years with the decline in enrollment of teacher preparation programs, teachers leaving the profession, and teachers retiring, there has been a great need for training and retaining highly qualified teachers. Higher turnover among underprepared teachers in California, are seeing close to 40% of new teachers hired …

Inclusive Education For All: Identifying Teacher Beliefs About Working With Students With Disabilities, Chelsea Sharek

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the beliefs K-12 teachers have when working with students with disabilities in a rural Pennsylvania school district. This study aimed to identify if teachers’ personal beliefs created biases about their students and school systems; thus, forming barriers and preventing an inclusive education when working with disabled students. Instrumentation for this quantitative study is the Multidimensional Attitudes Towards Inclusive Education Scale (MATIES) survey. Findings suggest that some teachers at Sunnyside School District (pseudonym) hold personal beliefs that could create biases about their students and school system that may form barriers when working with …

Impact Of School Leaders’ Actions On Teachers And Their Practices, Dinara Metova

Dissertations

School leaders play a vital role in teachers' performance; while some leaders create an environment conducive to learning, collaboration, and achievement, others inadvertently contribute to teacher attrition and educational disparities. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of school leaders' actions on teachers and their practices. The context of this inquiry includes two stakeholder groups: 582 school leaders and 1,054 teachers from all 50 states who are members of Facebook Educator Groups. I implemented a mixed methods design by researching scholarly articles and using qualitative and quantitative survey data to find the most effective school leader practices …

Autonomous Professional Learning Through Practitioner Inquiry: A Study Of Growth Plan System Experiences, Daina Kelly Gaputis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The need for quality science education has long been established, but despite reform after reform, it remains a current concern. What we know as good teaching is not happening, perhaps because there is an increase in science teachers using alternative certification programs to enter the field. This lack of formal training causes teachers to have a reliance on professional learning opportunities to learn about reform-based science education. Unfortunately, traditional forms of professional learning are often inadequate, so newer professional learning designs have been established. Some of these newer designs, such as practitioner inquiry, offer teachers autonomy over how they assess …

Education Opportunities For The Aspiring Aquatic Professional: A Qualitative Analysis Of Experience-Based Building Blocks For Success, Hannah Hickman

Honors Theses

While recent growth in the aquatics industry requires professionals to be more skilled and knowledgeable than ever before, educational opportunities for students pursuing this career are limited. There is not an all-encompassing course or degree program titled, "How to be an Aquatic Professional." This study utilizes interviews from 10 aquatic professionals regarding their experiences and opinions on this topic to explore the need for promoting aquatics education to students and to help outline a series of building blocks that students could potentially take to pursue a career as an aquatic professional. It attempts to answer the question: How do educational …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Into International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Teachers' Lived Experience Of Professional Growth, Rosamund Whaley

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program provides an inquiry- and concept-driven approach to teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools around the world. This educational philosophy is often different to teachers’ previous training and experience, yet little research has been done into how continuing professional development addresses the challenge of understanding and implementing the IB program. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the professional learning experiences of IB Diploma Programme (DP) teachers in international schools. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven teachers from five different schools and all six IB subject groups who had severalyears’ experience …

Examining The Factors That Influence High School Teachers’ Implementation Of Professional Development, Ellen Gianakis

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This quantitative study investigates the aspects of professional development that have the greatest impact on teachers’ perception of and implementation of professional learning. This study explores the extent to which release time and financial compensation influence teachers’ perceptions of the resources available to support their professional growth as well as the extent to which the format and focus of professional development impacts teachers’ perceptions of professional development relevancy. This archival study examines teacher-level data from the 2017-2018 National Teacher and Principal Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Education. Data collected from 14,460 teachers across the nation was used for …

Investigating The Most Valued Components Of The South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program By Graduates Who Have Remained In The Education Profession, Amanda Jane Darden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The vision of every elementary, middle, and high school in the United States is to deliver an excellent educational setting to each and every student who enters their school building. Educational research overwhelmingly demonstrates that a primary factor contributing to an “excellent educational setting” is having highly qualified and effective teachers (Rice, 2003). However, the teacher supply and demand issues currently facing our nation is significantly compromising the ideal of providing excellent educational settings in our schools. Teacher attrition is a problem that faces schools throughout the United States. The number of teachers leaving their positions to pursue other careers …

Implementing Differentiated Instruction In Early Elementary Classrooms Through Professional Development And Professional Learning Communities, Stephanie Zeichman

Culminating Experience Projects

In the classroom, the focus needs to be student-centered, and to achieve this, teachers can implement differentiated instruction. The purpose of this project is to provide Kindergarten through Second grade teachers with a guide to implementing differentiated instruction into their classrooms. Teachers will participate in professional development along with a yearlong professional learning community that will help build their knowledge on incorporating differentiated instruction and necessary strategies and activities to use in their classroom.

K-12 Teachers’ Retention Of Arts Integrated Professional Development, Roxane Mcwilliams

Dissertations

Arts integration is an interdisciplinary teaching model in which the arts become a conduit for the contextualization and understanding of non-arts content. Research has shown this approach increases academic engagement and content retention (Rinne et al., 2011). The use of arts integration also provides gains for teachers. Teachers perceive their practice more innovative and better able to reach the needs of diverse learners (Bellisario & Donovan, 2012). For the benefits of arts integrated learning to be achieved, teachers must acquire the knowledge and techniques of this teaching model. This requires knowledge in both arts content as well as the pedagogical …

A Descriptive Qualitative Study Exploring Middle-School Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Development On Technology Integration, Dayana Núñez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Today’s teachers are being encouraged to incorporate technology into their classrooms. Technology integration became a worldwide focus for schools after remote learning was necessary to continue instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, research shows that technology-infused lessons improve student achievement and increase student engagement. Despite efforts to support teachers throughout the technology integration process, concerns have developed. Preparing highly qualified teachers ready to incorporate technology into their teaching repertoire has developed additional stress factors. In this descriptive qualitative study, the researcher wanted to address the problem of teacher attrition, possibly related to stress factors associated with technology integration. The …

An Exploration Of Black Women Faculty Members' Faculty Development And Career Advancement Experiences Within A Pwi, Monica N. Guient

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

At a large, research-intensive, predominantly White university, in this qualitative case study, Black women faculty members’ experiences with and perceptions of institutionally sponsored faculty development activities in relation to career advancement was explored. The career advancement of faculty members from underrepresented and minoritized populations—particularly Black women—is ultimately impacted by the racialized and gendered disparities among tenure-track and tenured professors in research, service, and teaching. Unique to this study is the exploration of how Black women faculty members experience the human resource development practice of faculty development while also gathering information from the institutional leaders who oversee and guide institutionally sponsored …

Exploring The Use Of Social Media For Teacher Professional Learning, Kosgei Jeruto Lonah

Theses & Dissertations

This study sought to find out how social media can be used to leverage teacher professional learning. It adopted a designed-based research approach with a pre-intervention, an intervention and a post-intervention phase. There were four different types of data sources analyzed: questionnaires, an online survey, and interviews with administrators and TPL providers. In addition, the contributions and activities of teachers on social media platforms were examined. Data suggest that while social media is currently being used in TPL its affordances are not fully exploited. WhatsApp is the most used social media in TPL. Findings suggest that when teachers are oriented …

Experiences And Perceptions Of Local Diocesan Catholic School Teachers Regarding The Progress Of Their Implementation Of Project-Based Learning In The Classroom, Donna Lee Saladino

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAfter finding research confirming that the innovative approach of project-based learning (PBL) improves 21st century education for all students, the administrators of a large local diocesan Catholic school system (LDCSS) initiated PBL implementation in their schools. The problem was that after 6 years it was not known how the teachers were experiencing and perceiving their progress with this implementation in the classrooms. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to discover and understand LDCSS teachers’ experiences and perceptions of their progress of PBL implementation in the classroom. The conceptual framework for the study comprised John Dewey’s educational philosophy of …

Experiences And Perceptions Of Local Diocesan Catholic School Teachers Regarding The Progress Of Their Implementation Of Project-Based Learning In The Classroom, Donna Lee Saladino

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAfter finding research confirming that the innovative approach of project-based learning (PBL) improves 21st century education for all students, the administrators of a large local diocesan Catholic school system (LDCSS) initiated PBL implementation in their schools. The problem was that after 6 years it was not known how the teachers were experiencing and perceiving their progress with this implementation in the classrooms. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to discover and understand LDCSS teachers’ experiences and perceptions of their progress of PBL implementation in the classroom. The conceptual framework for the study comprised John Dewey’s educational philosophy of …

Shaping Teachers’ Behavioral Intentions To Use Dgbl: Understanding The Key Insights Teachers Garner From A Research-Based Dgbl Professional Development Design, Nadine Ebri

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study aims to explore the key insights teachers garner from a research-based Digital Game-Based Learning (DGBL) professional development (PD) workshop and how their garnered insights shape their behavioral intentions to use DGBL in their future teaching practices. By gaining a deeper understanding of these areas, this study aims to enhance the effectiveness of professional development workshops for DGBL, and in turn, improve DGBL implementation in the classroom setting.

DGBL, which integrates digital games into education, has gained attention for its potential to engage and motivate students while enhancing learning outcomes. However, limited focus on DGBL professional development …

A Survey Research Study Of Conference Attendance And Change: What Do Educators Gain From Anti-Bias/Anti-Racist Professional Development?, Erin Rae

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Research studies suggest that professional development would betterprepare the 84% White teaching force to serve diverse classrooms. Schools have begun providing professional development with desired outcomes of better serving their diverse student body. This research study focused on educators who received summer camp-style immersive anti-bias/anti-racist professional development and examined the relationships between aspects of educator change as measured by a survey instrument (n=57). The research found that teachers were likely to make anti-bias/anti-racist classroom practice changes after attending the social justice summer camp. By better understanding educator change proceeding summer camp style conferences, this study offers implications for implementing anti-bias/anti-racist …

Reading Teachers’ Perspectives On Professional Development In Phonological Methods And Implementation Of Instructional Strategies, Lisa M. Toole

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this research study was although kindergarten through Grade 3 (K–3) reading teachers have received specific professional development in phonological methods, a gap in practice exists with the implementation of instructional strategies. The purpose of this study was to explore K–3 reading teachers' perspectives regarding their professional development in phonological methods and what further professional development is needed for consistent and effective implementation of instructional strategies to support student achievement in phonemic awareness and phonics. Flavell's theory of thinking about thinking, otherwise known as metacognition, was the grounding conceptual framework. The research questions guided the study by …

Reading Teachers’ Perspectives On Professional Development In Phonological Methods And Implementation Of Instructional Strategies, Lisa M. Toole

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this research study was although kindergarten through Grade 3 (K–3) reading teachers have received specific professional development in phonological methods, a gap in practice exists with the implementation of instructional strategies. The purpose of this study was to explore K–3 reading teachers' perspectives regarding their professional development in phonological methods and what further professional development is needed for consistent and effective implementation of instructional strategies to support student achievement in phonemic awareness and phonics. Flavell's theory of thinking about thinking, otherwise known as metacognition, was the grounding conceptual framework. The research questions guided the study by …

Reading Teachers’ Perspectives On Professional Development In Phonological Methods And Implementation Of Instructional Strategies, Lisa M. Toole

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this research study was although kindergarten through Grade 3 (K–3) reading teachers have received specific professional development in phonological methods, a gap in practice exists with the implementation of instructional strategies. The purpose of this study was to explore K–3 reading teachers' perspectives regarding their professional development in phonological methods and what further professional development is needed for consistent and effective implementation of instructional strategies to support student achievement in phonemic awareness and phonics. Flavell's theory of thinking about thinking, otherwise known as metacognition, was the grounding conceptual framework. The research questions guided the study by …

The Relationship Of Mentorship And Professional Development On Special Educators’ Intent, Christine S. Powell

Theses and Dissertations

Current literature in special education has examined professional development (PD) and mentorship separately; however, no studies have investigated the relationship between PD and mentorship on special education teachers’ intent. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which participating in PD and mentorship opportunities predicted the likelihood of Early Career Special Education Teachers' (ECSETs) intent to leave the teacher workforce while examining factors related to duration and quality. Based on two conceptual models, Desimone’s (2009) best practices for professional development and Nick et al. (2012) best practices for academic mentoring, this study identified key features and characteristics …

Seeing Themselves: White Preservice Teachers As Raced Individuals And As Members Of Their Future School Communities, Laurie Koth

Theses and Dissertations

Students of color, of poverty, with disabilities continue to slide into the school to prison pipeline (STPP.) Very often, an antecedent step is harsh exclusionary discipline that removes them from the classroom. Teachers, who play a major role in the decision whether to keep students in or eject them from the classroom and the school, are among multiple forces driving students toward or away from the STPP. A salient feature of the issue is that nearly 80% of teachers are white and their most vulnerable students are not. Rooted in critical race and care theories, and buttressed by self determination …

The Impact Of Professional Development On Specially Designed Instruction For Students With A Specific Learning Disability, Stacy H. Huffman

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This research study, rooted in the theoretical framework of phenomenology, examined the impact of professional development related to specially designed instruction for students with a learning disability in reading. Teachers of students who had mastered at least 50% of their IEP goals in reading or had exited from special education services were the participants in this study. In addition to the teachers, administrators and district staff who worked with these teachers and students were included. Through a mixed methods research design, 47 participants were surveyed using Qualtrics, and 14 participants were interviewed. Findings demonstrated that professional development related to specially …