Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

Preservice Teachers' Pk-12 Educational Field Trip Experiences: Teaching Beyond The Classroom, Cecilia A. Turman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of the study was to investigate preservice teachers’ (PSTs) attitudes and beliefs towards their PK-12 field trip (FT) experiences as students, their memories, influences in their lives, impact on their educational approaches and career choices, as well as how, as future teachers, they would implement FTs to their future students to provide feedback on FTs’ training for preparation programs. Rationale: Anderson et al. (2010) criticized teacher preparation programs’ lack of teacher training to implement educational FTs and contended that instructors’ FTs experiences as students may have influenced the way they plan and carry out educational FTs. John Dewey’s …

Burnout And Work Fatigue In Contingent Faculty During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Gina Dimartino

Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic and immediate shift to remote learning had a major impact on faculty and students in higher education institutions (HEIs). As a result of the pandemic, many stakeholders in HEIs have experienced burnout and work fatigue, specifically, contingent/adjunct faculty. Contingent/adjunct faculty comprise a majority of faculty who serve students in colleges and universities across the country.

As the needs of students increased during the pandemic, contingent/adjunct faculty experienced increased workloads due to the additional support needed by diverse and challenged students. This further intensified the unique challenges faced by contingent faculty that existed prior to the pandemic in …

Still I Rise: A Critical Utopian Action Research Study On Black Femme-Identifying And Gender Expansive Emerging Adults In Technology Leadership., Alisia Mcclain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This Critical Utopian Action Research (CUAR) study delves into the intersection of authentic leadership, Black Feminist Thought (BFT), and technology leadership development, focusing on the perspectives of emerging adult Black femme-identifying or gender-expansive individuals. Addressing two primary research questions, the study investigates their idealized visions for technology leadership programs and discerns key factors differentiating authentic leadership from models incorporating BFT. Through qualitative analysis of Future-Creating Workshop outputs and participant narratives, the study unveils multifaceted themes. Participants articulate a vision of technology leadership development rooted in authenticity, intersectionality, and inclusivity. Their ideal programs prioritize celebrating complex identities, engaging through technology, and …

A Multiple-Methods Assessment Of Faculty Attitudes Toward Inclusive Instruction., Kate A. Snider

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The enrollment landscape of postsecondary institutions in the United States has undergone significant demographic shifts, marked by increasing racial and ethnic diversity and a rise in enrollment of students with disabilities. Recognizing the importance of accommodating diverse learners, this study investigates faculty attitudes toward inclusive instruction, Universal Design for Instruction, and disability-related topics. This multiple-methods study aimed to identify differences across faculty groups to establish an initial measure of faculty attitudes toward inclusive teaching practices that can be used to design future training or professional development opportunities. Data was collected via an online distribution of the Inclusive Teaching Strategies Inventory …

The Affable Raphael: Milton's Surrogate Instructor In Paradise Lost., Beau Kilpatrick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

John Milton’s Paradise Lost (1667) is a beautifully written epic that continues to be a stalwart text in the English literary canon, with unlimited potential for interpretation. In this dissertation I propose that Paradise Lost can be read as a pedagogical lesson for Milton’s “fit audience,” where the author implements his views on education in the context of heaven, hell, and Paradise. In the poem, Milton presents three pedagogical methodologies: first, the wrong way to knowledge is presented through Satan’s manipulations of the fallen angels and Eve; second, the divine way to knowledge is illustrated via Michael’s prophecy to Adam …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Computer-Based Instruction For Training Pre-Service Teachers In Simultaneous Prompting., Mary P. Elliott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There has been a significant increase in the use of distance education (DE) in institutions of higher education (IHEs) that is leading to a shift in pedagogy and practices. In the fall of 2021, approximately 61% of undergraduate students nationally were enrolled in at least one online course. A growing number of teacher preparation programs, including special education programs, are utilizing asynchronous course and program designs to combat the critical shortage of certified teachers, yet little research has examined which asynchronous teaching methods are effective for the development of critical teaching skills such as evidence-based practices. One asynchronous teaching method …

Exploring The Mathematics Identities Of Urban Teacher Residents Using A Trauma-Informed Framework., Samantha Morris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Urban Teacher Residency (UTR) models prepare teachers to specialize in urban education. All teacher candidates, including those in UTR programs, have experiences and emotions that shape their mathematics identities. These identities can impact both the residents’ mathematics instruction and the experiences of their students. This study examines how residents’ mathematics identities developed as they participated in a Mathematics for Elementary Teachers (MET) course. To support this development, trauma-informed care (TIC) practices were embedded within the course. Such practices were designed to help residents process and heal from any potential mathematics trauma as they prepared to be teachers. This dissertation study …

“I’M Going To Have To Be Far More Prepared": A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Teacher Candidate Discussion And Projected Teaching Of Literature., Taylor Rose-Dougherty

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative dissertation study contributes to conversations around the practical knowledge gap–professional behaviors or practices which are underdeveloped in available research–between critically oriented literacy teacher preparation programs and praxis in early career classrooms. Critical literacy, or engaging with major texts, discourses, and ways of communicating in a culture or context, attempts to locate and disrupt power imbalances and encourage justice-oriented activism. While teacher candidates (TCs) often practice critical literacy in their training programs, they often struggle to facilitate critical literacy instruction in their own classrooms. Using Thematic Analysis (TA) for data reduction and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) for data analysis, …

A Case Study: The Influence Of Professional Development, Administrative Support, And Co-Planning On Teacher Perceptions Of Co-Teaching., Heidi Zimmerman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a case study methodology investigating the influence of professional development, administrator support, and co-planning on teacher perceptions of co-teaching. My interest in co-teaching increased as a former special education teacher after implementing co-teaching strategies in my own practice. As defined by the Kentucky Administrative Regulations, Collaboration means, a teacher of exceptional children works with children with disabilities in the regular classroom to provide specially designed instruction and related services (707 KAR 1:350, Section 2). Oftentimes, Collaboration and Co-Teaching may be used interchangeably. For the purpose of this study, the term Co-Teaching will be used throughout. The goal …

Mentors As Learners: Enhancing And Exploring The Experiences Of Veteran Mentor Teachers In An Elementary School Context Using Stimulated Video Recall Cycles, Melissa Suppa Susnosky

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The purpose of this study was to engage veteran mentor teachers in a professional development experience through the use of stimulated video recall (SVR) sessions to explore and enhance mentor teacher learning processes and outcomes during a student teaching practicum in an elementary school context. The concept of mentors as learners encompasses adopting an educative mentoring stance when guiding student teachers. Taking an educative mentoring stance entails mentors cultivating a vision of teacher learning that emphasizes creating opportunities for inquiry and supporting the conditions necessary for teacher growth (Feiman-Nemser, 2001). This study provided mentor teachers with a unique opportunity for …

Assessing Teachers’ Dispositions Towards Culturally Responsive Pedagogy In Northwest Arkansas High Schools, Rylie Ford

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

Culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) entails the use of cultural knowledge, prior experiences, and learning styles of ethnically and culturally diverse students to make instruction more relevant and effective for them. Furthermore, practices within this pedagogy are validating, inclusive, emancipatory, and ethical, and help diverse students succeed academically while maintaining their cultural identity. Numerous studies have indicated that using culturally responsive pedagogy increases student academic achievement, sense of self, and emotional well-being (Ladson, 1995; Gay, 2018). Considering the varying degrees of cultural and linguistic diversity in Northwest Arkansas (NWA) schools and the lack of reported professional development relating to CRP, this …

Books As Bridges: Utilizing Multicultural Literature To Foster Connection, Representation, And Inclusivity In Student Education, Elizabeth Vega

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Linguistic and demographic diversity is growing in classrooms across the United States however teacher demographics remain overwhelmingly composed of monolingual white women. There is great need for a bridge between cultures that honors and empowers diverse experiences. Through personal and professional experiences, I have witnessed the power of crossing cultural bridges through literature. Purpose: This study investigates the role of multicultural literature as a powerful tool to bridge cultural divides, provide authentic representation for marginalized groups, and cultivate a sense of belonging among students from various backgrounds. Methodology: This study reviewed peer-reviewed sources to gather insights into the effectiveness …

Cultivating Honor: How Indigenous Students Harness Resilience And Cultural Wealth To Thrive At A Borderlands University, Lourdes Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study sheds light on students' lived experiences regarding Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) at Borderlands University (BU), a Hispanic-serving institution on the U.S.-Mexico border where First Peoples lived for thousands of years. This study supports Indigenous students whose dismal national college graduation rates must be addressed. It recognizes studentsâ?? cultural wealth and richness (Yosso, 2005) and is grounded by the Peoplehood Matrix (Holm, 2003; Tachine, Cabrera, and Yellow Bird, 2017). This study was consistent with previous studies revealing that prioritizing student support raises equity and improves the overall academic experiences for all students in higher education (Tachine …

Creating A New Border Culture In The Midst Of The Climate Crisis: Activism And Pedagogy Strategies For Teacher Preparation, Puneet S. Gill

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

This paper documents the efforts of an activist group that came to teach about activist efforts, climate change/climate justice/climate crisis issues, and to create leaders in one border community. The leaders of this three-day workshop are a part of an activist organization named SOMOS Sunrise, the Latine constituency of the Sunrise movement. In this paper, I will analyze the climate change workshop training days and components of the workshops. Secondly, this paper will document a climate cohort education group conducted with undergraduate students and pre-service teachers the following summer. This climate cohort helped articulate art activism and public speaking opportunities …

Addressing Climate Change Anomie In Teacher Education, Teresa Anne Fowler

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

This research project sought to understand how preservice teachers explore their relationship with Science and confidence in teaching about climate change in Science education amid a culture of denial regarding the impact of the climate crisis. Using data from three cohorts of students in an elementary Science methods course, this paper shares the context of climate change acceptance in the province of Alberta, Canada, the fossil fuel economic hub of Canada, and how using Journell’s framework for controversial issues alongside a critical energy literacy framework using inquiry, supported preservice teachers to address their hesitancy in Science classrooms to engage with …

Motivation Behind Undergraduate Students Becoming Peer Educators And Associated Benefits Of The Position [Poster], Anna Laluzerne

Graduation with Distinction Posters

Most research on the topic of peer education is regarding the benefits for the mentees. There is limited research on the benefits for the mentors.

It is important to understand why students are taking peer education positions in order to grow peer education programs across the country. It will be critical for students and faculty to learn the life long benefits gained from being a peer mentor.

Advertising Peer Tutoring As A Valuable Experience For Preservice Teachers [Poster], Quinn Robinson

Graduation with Distinction Posters

Purpose of the poster:

• Knowing how tutoring benefits tutors helps to increase advocacy for the position
• Attract more preservice teachers to the position, helping them gain teaching experience

Tutors To Teachers: Benefits Of Peer Education For Future Educators [Poster], Ryan Wagner

Graduation with Distinction Posters

Like many other professions, teachers are required to obtain a four-year degree before they can begin their careers, but most teacher education programs aren’t perfect, and can have some very important weaknesses. Peer Education while immensely valuable to the students peer educators serve, also has many benefits for the educators themselves that can translate into increased preparedness for teaching when teachers are finally ready to enter their own classroom for the first time.

“You Have To First Recognize That There’S A Problem Before You Can Enact Change”: A Mixed-Methods Study Of General And Special Education Co-Teachers’ Critical Consciousness And Agency In Enacting Socially Just Inclusive Practices, Latifa Sebti

Theses and Dissertations

Inclusive education transcends the physical integration of students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms, demanding a commitment toward socially just inclusive practices. The purpose of this exploratory mixed-methods study is to investigate inclusive co-teachers' critical consciousness and agency in socially just inclusive practices, specifically for students of color with disabilities. The quantitative phase, with a survey of 241 teachers, revealed a structural equation model showing relationships between critical awareness about intersectionality, attitudes toward inclusion, self-efficacy in inclusive teaching, agency, and critical action. The open-ended responses indicated two teacher profiles based on their level of critical consciousness. The qualitative phase included interviews …

Teacher Efficacy In Co-Teaching Science Classrooms: Implications For Training, Sabrina Christensen

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Following legislation to educate students in the least restricted environment, schools are using co-taught inclusive settings to teach secondary science classrooms. Traditionally, general educators do not receive robust instruction in differentiation, co-teaching, or collaboration with special educators. Special educators traditionally do not receive training in science content. An online survey was distributed through social media inviting teachers to share their experiences with co-teaching in science classrooms. Likert scales were used to measure teacher efficacy in co-teaching secondary science classes and teacher perceptions of the effectiveness of current teacher training. Based on the data collected, recommendations are provided for adjustments to …

Book Review: Robot-Proof: Higher Education In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence By Joseph Aoun, Jordan O'Connell

Essays in Education

This book review examines Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Joseph Aoun, which focuses on the imperative to evolve higher education in preparation for AI-driven job labor market shifts that are only now entering the public consciousness. Aoun advocates for a new "humanics" curriculum that emphasizes cognitive skills and literacies robots cannot replicate. Highlighting numerous historical reinventions of the our education systems over the centuries, Aoun makes a compelling case that our colleges and universities once again find themselves responsible for preparing Americans for the technological displacements and miracles still to come.

Community-Linked Field Experience Pilot, Mia Palombo

Student Research Symposium

This IRB-approved study explores the possibilities of a teacher education program engaged with and rooted in the community. The project follows a partnership between a university and a community organization whose mission is to meet the needs of k-12 multilingual students. Pre-service teachers complete their field experience in an innovative community-based setting, and receive mentoring from a teacher on staff focused on developing skills and understanding how learning is nurtured outside traditional classroom settings. This partnership serves a dual purpose, meeting the needs of the community organization and those of pre-service interns who have demands on their time, which make …

Returning, Exploring, And Developing: A Threefold Cultural Program For Third Culture Kids, Early Adolescents, And School Staff, Natalie Dignoti

Master of Arts in Cross-Cultural & International Education Plan II Graduate Projects

This program takes a threefold approach to addressing the unique needs of third culture kids, early adolescents, and school staff through repatriation support, cultural awareness and exchange, and professional development. An introduction describes the specific characteristics of both third culture kids and early adolescents and defines the purpose of each component of the program. A thorough literature review provides background information and justification for the gaps that the program seeks to fill. For each of the three components, theoretical frameworks illuminate the issues addressed by the program, as well as guiding principles for navigating the target population’s needs. Following each …

Faculty Learning Community: Advancing Faculty Academic Advising Pedagogy, Linda Jean Raynard

Masters Projects

Within higher educational institutions faculty may serve in a faculty advising role. The quality of faculty advising conversations can impact student’s sense of mattering and support to campus leadership, community, and beyond. Faculty, however, have competing priorities and a lack of pathological training that has prevented them from investing deeper in advising practices. Students may then miss important opportunities to initially connect with campus leaders about their curricular and co-curricular development. To better operationalize academic advising practices for faculty to use in their everyday student conversations, a faculty learning community is suggested to aid. The Faculty Learning Community: Advancing Faculty …

Burnout In Optometry.....How Do We Compare?, Jeffrey L. Weaver Od, Mba

Optometric Clinical Practice

Letter to the Editor

Book Review: Visual Secrets For School Success, Paul B. Freeman Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Book Review

Herpes Simplex Keratitis After Prk, Joshua Graf Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a double stranded DNA virus that infects much of the world’s population. The World Health Organization estimates 67% of people under the age of 50 have HSV-1 and 11% of people under the age of 50 have HSV-2. While most systemic infections remain inactive and do not cause symptoms, the activation and appearance of ocular HSV can be a destructive and vision-threatening issue. HSV keratitis can be epithelial, stromal or a combination. Patients who have recently undergone photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) have a higher risk of HSV keratitis. Because of this, HSV keratitis should be …

Effectiveness Of Escoop® Lenses On A Select Group Of Veterans, Connie Chronister Od, Denise T. Wilcox Od, Stanley Hatch Od, Mph

Optometric Clinical Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to perform a retrospective chart review to see if the use of EScoop® lenses improved the referred veterans' contrast acuity and subjective visual discomfort of glare, photophobia, or difficulty with night driving. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed examinations of 23 veterans aged 36 to 91 who chose EScoop ® for their spectacle prescription. The EScoop ® set available in our clinic included two shades, yellow or orange, two center lens thicknesses (LT), 6 or 9 mm, and with or without 4 prism diopters yoked base up (BU) prism. Results: The largest diagnostic group tested …

Results Of A Vosh Trip To Panama, Raelyn Ottenbreit Od, Aubrey Breithaupt Od, Allan Mccleary Od, Timothy Wingert Od, Emily Burnette Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Optometric services in many parts of the world are unavailable, or when available, limited to those individuals who have the resources and proximity to gain access to them. Recognizing this disparity in availability of eyecare services, teams from developed countries have been volunteering to provide eyecare in these areas with such a need for many years. Over time, these groups have also adopted a mission of enhancing the local infrastructure to create long-term improvement. Method: All records from a VOSH clinical trip to Panama were retrospectively analyzed to determine the prevalence of ocular conditions diagnosed. Results: As expected, the …

Headache And Vision Loss As Initial Symptoms For An Acute Invasive Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis, Thanh Le Od, Gregg Wentworth Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Acute invasive rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is a rare fungal infection commonly caused by Rhizopus species. It occurs in immune- compromised individuals who have acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), leukemia, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, or organ transplant patients who are on immunosuppressive therapy. Diagnosing invasive ROCM is challenging because its clinical presentation can be nonspecific, and it is not frequently observed in ophthalmic practices. Case Report: A 66-year-old Hispanic male with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus presented with the complaint of severe headache and retrobulbar pain in the right eye. An ophthalmic examination revealed normal ocular health in both eyes. Computerized tomography …