Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

School Voices: An Exploration Of Early Career Teachers’ Narratives On Student Voice And Dialogic Practices, Rachel Ada Meiklejohn

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

Classrooms are typically organized around the expectation that students’ voices should be used primarily for reciting answers elicited by teachers. Numerous studies show that moving away from this recitation model towards more dialogic practices has the potential to make literacy learning more effective and inclusive. Yet, dialogic classrooms in which students’ voices work together to create knowledge and make meaning of texts remain rare, especially in classrooms serving students of low-income and minority backgrounds. In order to understand how teachers develop their thinking about student voice and dialogic practices in literacy learning, I completed a qualitative case study of ten …

The Essence Of K-12 Teaching In A Catholic Archdiocese In Kentucky During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Danielle Atzinger Wiegandt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic research showed that teacher attrition among new teachers (less than five years) was a problem for schools throughout the country and Catholic Schools were facing an even higher rate (Ingersoll, 2003). Research also shows that there are often cultural and structural components of Catholic schools that influence teachers to stay (Youngs, 2013; Convey, 2012, 2014). The COVID-19 pandemic forced the education system to pivot and teachers are expected to continue to have high standards for education while making these shifts.

In the early period of COVID-19 pandemic research was already suggesting attrition rates were rising …

Magnetic Resonance Image-Based Estimates Of Hepatic Blood Flow In Children With And Without Obesity; Implications For Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Models, Yoon Cho, Sherwin S. Chan, Chance S. Friesen, Valentina Shakhnovich

Research Days

Background: Physiologically based pharmacokinetic models for simulating drug pharmacokinetics are useful to guide drug dosing for pediatric patients. Hepatic blood flow could be a useful variable to use in these models.

Objectives/Goal: In this study, we explored 2-D phase contrast non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure hepatic blood flow in children with and without obesity.

Methods/Design: In this IRB-approved study, we imaged pediatric patients with abdominal MRI with 2D phase contrast imaging of the descending aorta (AO) at the diaphragm, the inferior vena cava (IVC) at the right atrium, and inferior to hepatic drainage above the renal vein confluence …

Persistent Pediatric Breast Abscesses Following Initial Treatment At Tertiary And Community Centers, Derek Marlor, Kayla Briggs-Groves, Shai Stewart Md, Nelimar Cruz-Centeno, Charlene Dekonenko, Jason D. Fraser

Research Days

Introduction: Little data exist on the management of pediatric breast abscesses that fail initial treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate and report outcomes in these patients.

Methods: All patients <18-years-old treated for a breast abscess between January 2008 and December 2018 were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: initial treatment at our institution (Group 1) and initial treatment at referring centers (Group 2). The primary outcome was disease persistence following treatment at our institution. Secondary outcomes included treatment modalities and patient characteristics.

Results: In total, 145 patients were identified: 111 in Group 1 and 34 in Group 2. Antibiotics alone were the initial treatment in 52.3% (n=58) of Group 1 patients and 64.7% (n=22) of Group 2 patients. Invasive treatment was more common in Group 1 (45.9% vs 5.8%; p<0.00001). Patients with persistent disease in Group 1 were treated with aspiration (n=7, 50%), I&D (n=5, 35.7%), antibiotics (n=1, 7.14%), and manual expression (n=1, 7.14%.), while Group 2 patients were treated with antibiotics (50%, n=17), aspiration (26.47%, n=9), I&D (17.65%, n=6), and manual expression (5.88%, n=2). Group 2 patients with persistent disease were more likely to be treated with antibiotics or a change in antibiotics (50% vs 7.14%; p=0.005). Following treatment at our institution, the rate of persistent disease was similar between groups (12.6% vs 11.8%).

Conclusions: Persistent breast abscesses may be treated with antibiotics in appropriate cases. Damage to the developing breast bud should be minimized. Disease …

Stewardship Opportunities For Cervical Lymphadenitis And Deep Neck Space Abscesses, Aaron Shaw, Brian R. Lee, Lauren Kazmaier, Emily Baker, Tina Dao, Sandra Arnold, Angela Myers

Research Days

Background: Cervical lymphadenitis (LAD) and deep neck space abscesses (DNSA) are common pediatric infections caused by similar bacteria. We sought to determine differences in presentation, diagnosis, and treatment between LAD and DNSA to identify antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship opportunities.

Methods: Charts were obtained using ICD9/10 codes for retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscessed (DNSA), and LAD between 1/1/10-12/31/20 from two pediatric centers. 1981 charts were identified. Charts were excluded if the diagnosis was not a bacterial infection (e.g. Kawasaki disease), if the LAD was not in the neck, or if caused by less common bacteria (e.g. tuberculosis). Data on presenting signs, symptoms, …

Book Review Of Beyond Provincialism: Promoting Global Competencies In Teacher And Educator Preparation, David Sandles

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

With an increased emphasis on intercultural and global competence, teacher preparation programs around the world are stridently searching for growth opportunities for students in these areas. An important resource to this discussion is Beyond Provincialism: Promoting Global Competencies in Teacher and Educator Preparation, which supplies readers with scholarly, pragmatic approaches to developing students’ knowledge quotients with salient ideas that revolve around food insecurity, school improvement, communities of practice, mathematics education, internationalization of the curriculum, place-based education, and distance learning. Expertly linking these global issues to the United Nation’s Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs), the authors seek to educate educator preparation …

How Students Investigate: Understanding Students’ Use Of Scientific Schemas In Open-Ended Labs, J. Alexander Wall

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

Schema provides a theoretical framework for understanding the nature of science, inquiry, and open-ended labs. These topics have been emphasized in the state standards, especially in high school sciences. In this study the researcher took field notes, collected lab write ups, and conducted focus group interviews to understand students’ use of schema related to open-ended labs. These data were analyzed with the constant comparative method to generate themes. The author describes the major findings with parallel narratives, one focused on a student’s confusion and the other focused on a student’s understanding. The author concludes by advocating for science teachers to …

Growth Mindset Intervention And Its Impact On Productive Struggle In The Eighth-Grade Mathematics Classroom, Jordy Wilson

Doctor of Education in Secondary and Middle Grades Education Dissertations

This study aims to seek means to increase student productive struggle while adhering to the strenuous performance demands by our school systems. This study examines connections between growth mindset interventions, attitude towards struggle, and productive struggle in the mathematics classroom. Growth mindset interventions have been shown to change mindsets and to help students become more willing to engage in challenging problems and deal with difficult situations and struggle. Productive struggle is the engagement with difficult problems with the understanding that breakthroughs occur from confusion and struggle and has been linked with students’ conceptual understanding in the mathematics classroom. It has …

Overcoming Language Barriers With Parents Of English Learners, Anissa Elkjer

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this literature review was to determine the most effective ways to build relationships with parents of English Language Learner (ELL) students and how to overcome the language barrier when creating these relationships. A literature review was done to answer the following research questions: In what ways can English Language teachers build relationships with parents of English Learners? How can the language barrier be overcome between educators and English Language Learner’s families? The results were used to create a presentation to inform other educators what was learned. The presentation provides explanatory information about initiating effective communication using translators …

Navigating The Context: Implementing Inquiry In The Middle School Social Studies Classroom, Juliann Noble Healy

Doctor of Education in Secondary and Middle Grades Education Dissertations

Abstract

Despite over a century of advocacy by social studies scholars and professionals and the development of curricular resources to promote inquiry-based learning (IBL) in K-12 social studies, inquiry is not a defining element of the K-12 social studies classroom (Saye, 2017). Teachers face significant barriers to the use of inquiry-based learning. In particular, contextual barriers such as curriculum breadth, high-stakes testing, and lack of context-specific resources are indicated (e.g., Konopack et al., 1994; Martell, 2020; Voet & Wever, 2016). However, recent research presents applications of IBL in K-12 social studies classrooms, which suggests the potential to overcome barriers. This …

The Relationship Between Teacher Burnout And Physical Activity Among High School Teachers, Jonathan Davis

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

Teaching at any level is a high-stress profession, and high levels of stress may result in increased rates of teacher burnout. The implications of teacher burnout are related to physical and emotional health problems for teachers, reduced student academic performance, and increased rates of teacher migration and attrition. One strategy for mitigating teacher burnout is to increase levels of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between level of physical activity and teacher burnout among high school teachers. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT-23) were used to determine levels …

Anxious Times Call For Additional Goal Setting Measures: A Look At How Math Anxiety Is Impacted By Setting Goals In An Algebra I Class, Raegan Palacio

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

This study examined the impact that goal setting would have on Algebra I students’ math anxiety by comparing a control group to a treatment group. Students took the Math Anxiety Survey (Godbey, 1997) as a pre- and post-assessment. The researcher taught a goal setting mini lesson at the beginning of the data collection period to the treatment group (Class B), and students set weekly goals for themselves in relation to Algebra I class. Students in Class B journaled weekly, and some students participated in focus groups depending on their levels of math anxiety. The qualitative data was analyzed using the …

The Effects Of Orthographic Mapping In Student Spelling Performance, Kelli Simpson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The ability to accurately and automatically spell words shows a deep understanding of phonemes, graphemes, phonological context, morphology, and an understanding of language of origin. One approach to spelling instruction is through the explicit teaching of grapheme-phoneme correspondences. This 2023 study focused on the impact of orthographic mapping on student spelling performance of third grade students. Students completed a spelling pre-assessment. Then, students received orthographic mapping spelling instruction using sound boxes. At the conclusion of the study, students completed a spelling post-assessment. Student data was analyzed to gauge the effectiveness of orthographic mapping as a method of spelling instruction.

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 …

How Doctoral Students In A Formal Leadership Program Conceptualize Followership: A Mixed-Methods Study, Katy J. Johnson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this exploratory mixed-methods study was to determine how doctoral students in a formal leadership program conceptualize followership. The methods used to conduct this analysis included distributing a Qualtrics (released in August 2022) survey and conducting one-on-one interviews with a sample of degree-seeking doctoral students within a formal leadership program. The researcher collected quantitative and qualitative data addressing students’ followership style, leadership attitudes and beliefs, and perceptions of followership. These data were analyzed concurrently using a triangulation design. A total of 67 students completed the survey, and seven students were interviewed. The findings revealed that the participants employ …

Reflecting On Ecse Parent Coaching: Integrating High Leverage Practices 2, 11 And 16 With Parents Of Children Birth Through Age 2, John Muhlenpoh

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to gather information on Early Intervention (EI) practices and the implementation of the Special Education High Leverage Practices (HLPs) with parents and children ages birth through age two. In the past, EI staff took the lead as they provided a medical model of services where the staff went into the homes of parents and “fixed” problems the child was having, essentially leaving the parent out of the equation (NICHCY, 2022). The programs involved parents, but many of the parents seemed to take a back seat and watch what was going on with their child …

Beginning Special Education Teachers’ Perceptions Of Impactful Self-Resiliency Skills: A Qualitative Study, Kjersten Skatvold

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Special educators are in high demand and greatly needed to meet the growing population of special education in public schools today. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of how beginning special educators lived experiences and utilized their self-resilience skills which impacted their retention in the field of special education. With an increasing rate of attrition in the field of special education, exploring self-resilience factors that impact the retention of beginning special educators was imperative to understanding how to best support these early career educators. The increasing demands and pressures that beginning special educators are required …

Why Teach? Exploring The Motivations And Expectations Of First-Year, Alternatively Certified Agriscience Teachers, Sarah E. Larose, Blake C. Colclasure, Anna J. Warner, Debra M. Barry, Edward W. Osborne

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

School-Based agricultural education increasingly depends upon alternatively certified (AC) teachers to teach agriculture across the United States. Understanding why these individuals become teachers is an important step to better recruit and retain educators who do not complete traditional preparation programs. The purpose of our study was to explore the backgrounds, motivations, and expectations of AC agriscience teachers joining the profession. Our study was guided by the social cognitive career theory and utilized a qualitative phenomenological approach. We interviewed seven AC agriscience teachers in Florida during their first-year teaching to explore their journey into teaching agricultural education. Six major themes were …

Trauma Informed Practices In The Elementary Classroom: Training Modules For Pre Service Teachers, Savannah Lynn Armistead

Honors Theses

The purpose of this capstone is to explore trauma-informed practices in the elementary classroom, and to develop foundational training modules for pre-service teachers. The need for trauma-informed practices in schools is important as research indicates that children who experience traumatic events are impacted in their academic performance, behavior, and emotional well-being. This capstone reviews the literature on the impact of trauma on children, with an emphasis on how it manifests in the classroom. It highlights the importance of recognizing the symptoms of trauma and how teachers can effectively create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. The training …

Respiratory Pathogen Panel Use In Hospitalized Infants <2 Months Of Age And Impact On Patient Management., Edward Lyon

Research Days

Background: Respiratory pathogen panels (RPP) are multiplex PCR platforms able to simultaneously detect several respiratory viruses. RPP utilization is not well described in infants < 2 months of age, who frequently require hospitalization for management of acute respiratory illness (ARI) and/or fever. Detection of a viral pathogen in this age group could impact the clinician’s decision to perform additional evaluation and administer antimicrobials.

Objectives/Goal: We sought to understand predictive features and clinical management impact of RPP use in infants < 2 months of age.

Methods/Design: Between October 2017 to September 2021, participants, aged < 18 years, hospitalized with an acute respiratory infection (ARI) were enrolled in Kansas City’s New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN). Eligible patients were residents of Jackson County, had symptoms consistent with ARI (e.g., cough, fever, nasal congestion) lasting < 14 days, and enrolled within 48 hours of admission. For this study, only participants < 2 months of age were included. All participants had a research RPP, but results were not available to the clinician. Per provider discretion, some infants also received a clinical RPP (cRPP). Demographic characteristics, laboratory evaluations, and antimicrobial management were compared between infants with and without a cRPP.

Results: Of the 139 participants < 2 months of age, 57 (41%) had a cRPP (table 1). A cRPP was more frequently obtained in infants < 1 month of age (n=34 [47%]) compared with infants 1-2 months of age (n=23 [35%]; p=0.17). 35 (61%) participants with a cRPP had a parental report of fever while 41 (50%) of those without a cRPP had one reported. Only 20 (35.1%) of White, non-hispanic participants had a cRPP compared to 42 (51.2%) p=0.082 who did not have a cRPP. Participants who had blood or CSF culture collected were more likely to have a cRPP obtained, 47 (82.5%) p=

Conclusions: Overall, < 50% of infants < 2 months of age hospitalized with ARI received cRPP testing. Obtaining a blood or CSF culture was associated with increased cRPP usage. The length of stay was not different between the two groups. 35 viral infections went undetected in participants without a cRPP even with accounting for positive rapid NAAT testing, further investigation is needed to understand how this may influence clinical care.

Association Between Remote Monitoring And Interstage Morbidity And Mortality In Single Ventricle Patients Across Socioeconomic Groups, Bianca Cherestal

Research Days

Background: Despite improvements in outcomes over time, morbidity and mortality for infants with single ventricle (SV) heart disease remains high. Among other risk factors for mortality, infants of low socioeconomic status (SES) are known to be particularly vulnerable following stage 1 palliation.

Objectives/Goal: We sought to determine whether use of a novel remote monitoring program, CHAMP (Cardiac High Acuity Monitoring Program), mitigates differences in outcomes by SES for infants with SV during the interstage period.

Methods/Design: Using the CHAMP database, we identified 610 infants across 11 institutions enrolled in the program between 2014–2021. All enrolled patients’ families were provided with …

Pilot Study Using Sideline Hand-Grip Dynamometry To Assess Strength Changes In A High School Baseball Season: A Feasibility Study, Thomas Munro, Jason D. Yoderq, Brian R. Lee, Brian S. Harvey

Research Days

Background: Upper extremity injuries are common in baseball players. Objective measurements could assist in determining early signs of fatigue before injury occurs. Using HGD to measure strength changes may help identify early signs in the injury process. To our knowledge, HGD has not been tested on high school baseball players in the sideline setting. It is feasible to perform hand-grip dynamometry on-site at the high school level and HGD measurements will change throughout the season in varsity baseball athletes. Secondary aim: Asses HGD measurement in the context of injury/pain/fatigue/pitching.

Objectives/Goal: It is feasible to perform hand-grip dynamometry on-site at the …

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange To Alleviate Ventricular Tachycardia After Diphenhydramine Ingestion, Kaushal Dosani, Lejla Music Aplenc, Stephen Pfeiffer

Research Days

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the mental health of children causing an increased incidence of suicide attempts. Diphenhydramine is a common household medication and is frequently ingested by children. Toxic doses of diphenhydramine can affect the cardiovascular and central nervous system. In the heart, diphenhydramine blocks fast sodium channels and potassium channels which can result in conduction abnormalities including sinus tachycardia, widening of QRS duration, ventricular tachycardia and torsades de pointes. Massive ingestion can cause severe cardiovascular collapse which may require ECMO support

Objectives/Goal: To describe a novel method of clearing highly protein-bound diphenhydramine molecules from circulation after …

Genes Predictive Of Aggressive Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Meghana Bhumireddy

Research Days

Background: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a rapidly progressive cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many immature leukocytes that divide uncontrollably. KMT2A, or MLL, is a methyltransferase found in many types of leukemia, whose rearrangement (KMT2A-r) is present in approximately 2/3 of infants with ALL. KMT2A-r is associated with a very poor prognosis: roughly ⅔ of patients relapse within 1 year of diagnosis, and the relapsed KMT2A-r ALL is resistant to treatment (having nearly 100% morality). We explored gene expression in patient samples from three groups at diagnosis: KMT2A-r patients who relapsed, KMT2A-r patients who did not relapse, …

Drug Metabolizing Enzymes And Transporters May Help Determineeffective Budesonide Dosing In Eoe, Laurie Mccann, Lisa Harvey, Norah Almahbub, Wendy Y. Wang, Erin C. Boone, Janelle R. Noel-Macdonnell Phd, Rachel Chevalier

Research Days

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disorder diagnosed in children with painful or difficult swallowing, vomiting, or poor weight gain. Current treatment models adopt a trial-and-error approach in regard EoE treatment, including restrictive elimination diets, proton pump inhibitors, and topical budesonide. This approach can delay effective treatment which increases risk of disease progression and increases medical costs to families for frequent clinic visits and endoscopy.

Objectives/Goal: The objective of this study is to determine the CYP3A5 genotype and expression of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis to discover which patients will respond to standard dosing of topical budesonide treatment (1, …

Degree Of Uncertainty In Reporting Imaging Findings For Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Secondary Analysis From A Pilot Randomized Diagnostic Trial, Disa Rathore, Kira Bourrett, Sherwin S. Chan, Erin Opfer, Alain Cuna

Research Days

Background: Uncertainty in reporting of imaging findings for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) can be challenging for clinicians and result in ambiguity, miscommunication, and potential diagnostic errors. The degree to which uncertainty complicates diagnostic imaging for NEC has not been characterized.

Objective: To determine the degree of uncertainty in diagnostic imaging for NEC.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using data from a previously completed pilot diagnostic randomized clinical trial (RCT). The study population comprised of preterm infants with suspected NEC who were randomized to either standard imaging with abdominal radiographs (AXR) alone or experimental imaging with AXR + add-on bowel ultrasound …

Family Engagement In Schools: Family Engagement Guide, Sara Anderson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Family engagement in schools has been looked at and researched for many years. It has been shown that increased family engagement in schools leads to higher student achievement (Epstein and Voorhis, 2010). Family engagement literature explains engagement can be increased, the benefits, common barriers, and implications for schools (Dikkers, 2013). It continues to be researched to look at multiple ways engagement can be effective for students, families, and communities. Increased family engagement in education positively affects student performance and overall experience (Epstein, 1987). As such, it is important for schools to have a program in place to encourage and enable …

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 …

Reevaluating Student Engagement: Exploring And Applying Alternative Assignments In Higher Education Undergraduate Applied Saxophone, Anthony S. Cincotta Ii

Dissertations, 2020-current

Undergraduate applied saxophone study revolves around the conservatory model. This inflexible model, often referred to as a master-apprentice relationship, can create an instructor-centric power dynamic which does not address the needs of the modern student. A classroom where the power lies so heavily with the instructor can stifle student engagement and can create a sense of disenfranchisement. In this setting, students have limited input on their assignment selections. While curricula have evolved with regards to being more culturally diverse, relevant, and inclusive, the approach that educators use to deliver the material has remained largely unchanged. There is limited research on …

Recognizing Paralanguage In Teaching, Allison Delmonico

The Downtown Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal Written and Peer-Reviewed by Mandel Honors College Students at Cleveland State University

Paralanguage is used every day to communicate and is related to one’s culture. It is often unconscious, however, when teaching a conscious effort should be made so one understands how they are perceived by others and what signals they give off. Teachers must take into consideration their own culture, the culture of the community they teach in, and the culture of students and their families. Teachers use paralanguage when communicating with their colleagues and need to understand how best to collaborate with each other. When communicating with parents, teachers need to make sure they feel welcome in the classroom and …