Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

Care, Wellness, And Mindful Movement: Supporting The Needs Of Educators And Students During Challenging Times, Ashlyn Birchell

Student Research Symposium

Studies have shown that teachers who implement social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness practices have improved attitudes, show more engagement with students, families and colleagues, and demonstrate increased educational efficacy. The challenge teachers often face is that they are required to do so much that their own wellness practices may take a back seat. Additionally, since the start of the global pandemic, teachers and students have had to learn to repeatedly shift on the fly for health and safety reasons. This draws even more attention to the importance of promoting self-care as a form of community care. Previous literature reveals …

Normative Interventions: Are They Ethical When Helping Individuals With Autism?, Annie Bramson

Student Research Symposium

When helping individuals with autism, both in school and in their later adult lives depending on when one receives their diagnosis, normative interventions have been the main treatment alongside therapy. Normative interventions look at behaviors an individual may express that others deem as inappropriate, disruptive, or even just autistic. Targeting said behavior, interactions are held to train the behavior out of the individual through various methods, including video modeling, self-management, and social stories. While these methods have seemed to be helpful with eradicating target behaviors, it does so without looking at the reason behind said behavior, as well as at …

Divorce: Another Barrier To Marginality, Shelby Green

Student Research Symposium

Divorce is an ever growing social problem that affects individuals from all corners of the world. People from all walks of life experience the effects of divorce, but marginalized groups that already have reduced access to social and legal resources and accurate representation are especially affected by divorce. The research at hand aims to determine exactly how marginalized groups, specifically children, LGBTQ, and ethnic minorities experience the effects of divorce in comparison to non marginalized groups. Research was conducted through the use of university sponsored data bases and analysis of primary and secondary sources. Peer reviewed scholarly articles and first …

Milestones In Computational Thinking And Mathematics Competencies In Early Childhood, Katelyn Childers

Student Research Symposium

In Utah, the technology industry is rapidly growing, and with it the demand for a STEM workforce. Similarly, there is a push to integrate Computational Thinking (CT) and Computer Science (CS), usually in the form of coding, into K-12 education. While Utah has adopted standards to inform CS instruction, the standards lack an evidence-based foundation. Further, K-12 schools lack instructional minutes and resources to teach CT and coding. In order to address these needs, this project aims to collect empirical data on how students engage with computational thinking throughout early childhood. Our goal is to inform the further development of …

Make Your (Punctuation) Mark!, Bethany Nay

Student Research Symposium

Punctuation marks are a part of our daily lives, and yet, we rarely take time to think about them. This presentation serves to counter that, diving deep into the histories and origins of various punctuation marks. Each student in Honors 1320 chose a punctuation mark to individually research, learning more about why we use the marks that we do. We hope that through this research, people can gain a deeper appreciation for punctuation marks and their histories. Students and additional presenters from Honors 1320: Annie Bramson, Audrey Douglas, Micaela Garcia, Erin Hamilton, Lucy Hankins, Gillian Jarrard, Eli Moss, Cynthia Narkin, …

The Effect That Parents Expectations Have On Their Students, Molli Esplin

Student Research Symposium

Parents in this modern world have been causing their children more stress and in turn their mental health has been suffering. I wanted to see what can be done to help young adults and parents through this challenge. What I discovered was that a big cause of the increased stress was the parents' high expectations that they put on their kids. I used the library and internet databases to complete my research. I was able to use primary and secondary sources. In these sources I tried to be diverse in my source selections. This helped as I looked for different …

Broken Film Narratives: The Invisibility Of Latinx Women In Education Through Film And Literature, Virginia Hernández, Lisset Delgado

Student Research Symposium

Our research aims to explore the lack of Latinx women being portrayed in films with education as the central theme. Although there are Latinx women in films today, they are not portrayed in an entirely positive light. They are commonly represented in an oversexualized manner compared to latinx men who are portrayed as hard workers and commonly seeking education. A good example would be the film McFarland USA by Niki Caro in which young male adolescents are a part of a cross country team. Although the film does a great job of portraying their lives as latinx adolescents living in …

2nd Graders Being Creative With An Open-Ended Coding Robot Geometrical Math Task, Lauren Nix

Student Research Symposium

This semester, I've been working with Dr. Joseph S. Kozlowski in his 2nd-grade classroom at Edith Bowen Laboratory School here at Utah State University. While student teaching, I've also been observing and facilitating what we call Botley Fridays. Each week, we give our students an open-ended math task to work on, explore, and complete using the coding robot Botley 2.0. This presentation contains the cool things our students did during a geometrical math task about shapes.

Perceptions Of School Through The Lens Of Black Male Elementary Students: A School Climate Study, Erica Peek

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

This qualitative case study focused on the perceptions of 5^th grade black males at a suburban neighborhood elementary school in the southeastern United States. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how the participants felt about their teachers and school community. The theoretical frameworks that informed this study were Critical Race Theory and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Several data gathering techniques (qualitative questionnaire, focus group meeting, and student journals) were utilized and analyzed to describe the participants’ experiences regarding school climate at TES. From the data collected, several themes emerged such as Building Relationships & …

Preparing Middle Grades Candidates For Edtpa In Uncertain Times, Holly H. Pinter, David C. Virtue

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

Teacher candidates in North Carolina must earn a passing score on the edTPA assessment to get certified. The middle grades education program at Western Carolina University integrates aspects of the edTPA assessment throughout pre-student teaching coursework and field experiences to prepare candidates for this high-stakes assessment. Some of the edTPA practice assignments serve as key assessments that help the middle grades program faculty evaluate the program and make decisions about curriculum. The pivot to remote and blended learning formats on campus and in partner middle level schools affected the implementation of the edTPA-related assignments. The authors share some of the …

Integrating Social Studies Education With Mathematics: Pre-Service Teachers’ Use Of The Pyramids Of Giza To Plan A Stem Lesson, Randa Elbih, Elyssa Miller, Grace Sheldon, Mackenzie Wilson

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

Pre-service teachers (PSTs) often struggle to teach STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) content effectively due to lack of training on how to plan a STEM lesson in meaningful ways as well as which subjects to integrate. This dilemma often results in an avoidance of STEM methodology altogether. This paper describes a productive method for training PSTs to successfully teach STEM lessons by using Social Studies content to integrate with Mathematics and Science, and provide context and connection to real world applications. Along with providing a STEM lesson, the article demonstrates the critical role social studies can play as the …

Fostering And Maintaining Relationships: Teacher Education During Covid-19, Jessica Vanvalkenburgh, Aaron R. Gierhart

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

This article expounds how our pedagogical practices have changed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these effects others have contended with in the education community. The authors share pedagogical strategies they have found to be effective in terms of building and supporting relationships with teacher candidates. They suggest using digitally-mediated teaching and learning strategies, staying connected with students, and badge-based assessment and feedback approaches to build and support relationships with students; examples of the instructional design and implementation strategies are described. The authors propose that when looking forward, teachers at any level may benefit from providing students …

Home Literacy Initiatives Of Middle School Families During The 2020 Quarantine Period: Transformation In Education?, Elizabeth S. Stewart, Jeasik Cho, Mellinee Lesley, Julie Smit

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

The coronavirus pandemic changed everything almost overnight for students and their families. The purpose of this qualitative case study, thus, was to investigate the views of families about the sudden change in education for their middle school children, particularly literacy practices, during the pandemic. Drawing upon Bourdieu’s theoretical framework of cultural capital, coupled with socioeconomic status, funds of knowledge, and crisis management, we conducted interviews with 4 parents. Using the in vivo coding data analysis method, we identified some key preliminary findings: all-day-happy-hour, the strange disconnection between teachers and parents, and soft and hard approaches to school-home literacy. Participants revealed …

Introduction, Amanda Wall

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

Introduction

The articles in this issue of Current Issues in Middle Level Education reflect different experiences of middle level educators particularly as we continue to adapt to new realities given the coronavirus pandemic.

Elizabeth Stewart, Jeasik Cho, Mellinee Lesley, and Julie Smit interviewed a small group of parents about their experiences supporting their children’s literacy learning at home in the early weeks of the pandemic in 2020. Their research provides insights and ideas from a parent perspective.

As teacher educators, Jessica VanValkenburgh and Aaron R. Gierhart adjusted their practices and approaches to teaching science methods for middle grades and elementary …

Human Resource Mechanisms For Mitigating Internal Disputes Within Public Service And Non- Profit Organizations: The Analysis Of An Equitable Process/System Focused On New Hire Trends And Retention, Tranard Harvin

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

No abstract provided.

Sjsu Erfa Board Minutes, April 4, 2022, San Jose State University, Emeritus And Retired Faculty Association

SJSU ERFA Minutes

SJSU ERFA Executive Board Minutes

April 4, 2022

Supporting Virtual Instruction In Rural Kentucky: Google Apps, Lesia Lennex

Department of Middle Grades and Secondary Education Research & Publication Archives

Fall 2020 marked the first fully virtual semester for P-12 classrooms across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Teachers were faced with challenges such as the digital divide, device access, and materials access (Prichard Committee, 2020). Toward improving the success of our teacher education candidates to teach in virtual environments, a task force was formed to investigate the use of Google Classroom, a free learning management system (LMS) which allows third-party creation, distribution, and collection of common P-12 classroom artifacts (Clark, 2020), Google Apps for Education (GAFE), and Google Level I certification. Teachers (N=427) and school administrators (N=66) in 22 counties in …

Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Adulthood: The Often Overlooked Subdivision Of Individuals In The Autism Community, Kayla L. Piacquadio

Honors Student Research

Awareness surrounding the increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder and Asperger syndrome has become much more widespread in recent times. Children are diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum more than ever. However, the key here is the word “children.” We focus on the behavior, development, and well-being of our children for good reason.

While the oversaturated focus on children is entirely justified, this focus overshadows a minority within the autism community that deserves the same attention and recognition. This minority group consists of the adults who have gone years without a formal diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or Asperger …

Social Problems Framework, Steve Bird

Engaging Teaching Today Conference

This is an example faith and disciplinary content integration assignment for Sociology 210: Contemporary Social Issues by Dr. Steven Bird.

This was featured during the Engaging Teaching Today Conference on April 9, 2022 at Taylor University.

Rehearsal Journal, Tracy Manning

Engaging Teaching Today Conference

This is an example faith and learning integration assignment for Theater 432 and 433, directing courses taught by Professor Tracy Manning.

This was featured during the Engaging Teaching Today Conference on April 9, 2022 at Taylor University.

25 Bible Verses To Connect Faith And Mathematics Using Weekly Devotionals, Written Reflections, And Memory Verses, Mark Colgan

Engaging Teaching Today Conference

Faith and learning integration can take various forms for different faculty members, but I believe it helps to do it regularly (at least once per week) by giving students a chance to discuss in groups and then write about their own ideas. On Monday, I typically pick a verse that relates to the week’s topics. I write the verse on the board before students arrive, along with a discussion question, and then show a YouTube video related to the verse. I have students briefly discuss the question in groups, and they can memorize the verses for bonus points on quizzes. …

Personal Profile, Ben Hotmire

Engaging Teaching Today Conference

A semester-long, sequential assignment intended to help students increase spiritual, individual, and professional self-awareness.

This is an example faith and disciplinary content integration assignment or EDU 307: Discipline and Classroom Management for Secondary Teachers by Dr. Ben Hotmire.

This was featured during the Engaging Teaching Today Conference on April 9, 2022 at Taylor University.

Discussion Prompt From Introduction To Forensic Science (Che120) – A Foundational Core Course, Daniel King

Engaging Teaching Today Conference

This is an example faith and learning integration assignment for Chemistry 120, Introduction to Forensic Science taught by Dr. Daniel King.

This was featured during the Engaging Teaching Today Conference on April 9, 2022 at Taylor University.

Infographic: Principal Health And Wellbeing, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

The annual Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey 2021 data show school leaders continue to experience negative health and wellbeing. In this infographic, we explore the survey results for various aspects of health and wellbeing.

Striving Towards Efficient Curriculum Implementation, Melissa J. Hernandez

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

As an Early Learning Mentor Coach for a non-profit organization, my job is to ensure proper implementation of our curriculum within the classroom in order to be in compliance with our grant agreements. Through this process, I had to think of a way to support teaching staff and help them be successful without adding extra stress or hours to their workdays. Whether this was to be done through a binder, a reflection checklist, or a website, I needed to come up with something that was efficient, effective, and convenient for the teachers.

Understanding The Role Of Science-Specific Literacy Strategies In Supporting Science Teaching And Student Learning: A Case Study Of Preservice Elementary Teachers In A Science Methods Course That Integrated A Disciplinary Literacy Framework, Su Gao, Jonathan L. Hall, Vassiliki Zygouris-Coe, Rebecca A. Grysko

Teacher Education and Technology Faculty Publications

The shift to student engagement in scientific and engineering practices to learn science provides opportunities for science learning and language learning to occur in tandem. These opportunities also pose new challenges for elementary pre-service teachers (PSTs) since literacy methods courses have been presented separately from science methods courses. We integrated a disciplinary literacy framework in a science methods course to help elementary PSTs understand the synergistic connections between literacy and science teaching. The purpose of this study was to examine elementary PSTs’ understanding of the use of science-specific literacy strategies to support science teaching and learning through three points of …

Lesson Plan Template For Clinical Practice, Teaching Performance Assessment, And In-Service Teaching, Karen Escalante

Teacher Education and Technology Faculty Publications

Becoming an effective teacher takes time, preparation, purposeful planning and deep knowledge of your students and the content / curriculum. Purposeful lesson planning supports you in your development as an educator and it works to ensure PK-12 students are being taught to think and engage with the content area, with the ultimate goal of transferring that knowledge to global understandings and patterns.

Ua64/2 The Challenge: Magazine For The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 52, Spring 2022), Western Kentucky University, Elizabeth Joyce Editor

Gifted Studies Publications

Magazine created by and about the WKU Center for Gifted Studies.

Reflections On Professional Development: An Autoethnographic Study In Theories Of Practice, Sara Elizabeth Jennings

Dissertations

This autoethnographic project extends the work of Argyris and Schön (1974); Houchens (2008); Houchens and Keedy (2009); Houchens, Hurt, Stobaugh, & Keedy (2012); and Houchens, Stewart, and Jennings (2017) by replicating an experiment in reflective practice using a self-coaching protocol as a means for mapping one’s own theories of practice. Relying on selfreflexivity to study professional learning in a culture of school reform, the author used Argyris and Schon’s (1974) theories of practice as a conceptual framework by adapting a self-coaching protocol (Houchens, 2008; Houchens et al., 2012; Houchens et al., 2017) and pairing it with selfobservations of video-recorded instructional …

Physical Activity In Education, Isabella Sierra

Classical Conversations

A plethora of research and studies have been compiled on the benefits of physical activity in daily life, yet it is still lacking in the realm of education. Across all grade levels, an increase in physical activity would be beneficial to students’ academic performance and overall health. In education as a whole, there is a large amount of sedentary behavior associated with the classroom and learning. Elementary students have shorter attention spans than adults, and demand larger amounts of time for exercise and hands-on learning. Implementing short physical activity breaks or incorporating physical activity lessons create a better learning environment …