Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

A Small Historical Equipment Display, Jennifer Birriel

Faculty Research at Morehead State University

No abstract provided.

Perspectives Of Family Engagement In The Migrant And Seasonal Head Start Program, Toni L. Mahaney Stubbs

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem is that there is a significantly lower percentage of Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) families (2%) volunteering in Head Start (HS) programs where 75% of volunteers are former or current HS families. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how the local MSHS program incorporates family engagement through home and school experiences by examining how migrant family participants and teaching staff define family engagement, the role family engagement has on parent-teacher relationships, and how families enrolled in the local MSHS program are influenced by family engagement. The conceptual framework was culturally responsive teaching/practice. This …

In-Service Prekindergarten Educators’ Perspectives On Characteristics Of Professional Development That Influence Their Self-Efficacy And Performance, Schalette Poteat

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractResearch on how professional development has influenced teacher self-efficacy revealed that properly executed professional development promoted effective teacher practices and positive student outcomes. Bandura’s and Tschannen-Moran’s social learning theories were used in this basic qualitative study to address the problem of the lack of current investigations related to prekindergarten (pre-k) educators’ perspectives regarding professional development that influenced their teacher self-efficacy. The research questions focused on pre-k educators’ perceived characteristics of professional development that increased their confidence in their ability to be effective in the area of curriculum, classroom management, and motivating and engaging students. Findings from coding analysis of the …

Educators’ Perspectives On Strategies To Close The Achievement Gap For African American Elementary Students In Mathematics And English Language Arts, Keamber Denise Booker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a persistent academic achievement gap between African American and European American elementary students in mathematics and English language arts. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore third through fifth-grade elementary educators’ perspectives on strategies used to narrow the gap in achievement for African American students in mathematics and English language arts from a school located in the southeastern region of the United States; consequently, the research question was developed to focus on these perspectives. The conceptual framework for this study was Ladson-Billings’s culturally relevant pedagogy. Purposeful sampling and snowball sampling were used to select study …

Preservice Teacher Efficacy To Teach Informational Text Comprehension Through Literature Circles, Amy J. Clark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Preservice teachers in an elementary education teacher preparation program are tasked with teaching informational text comprehension through literature circles during a literacy field experience. The problem addressed is that even after receiving explicit classroom instruction on this topic, preservice teachers expressed apprehension and self-doubt and may not have the self-efficacy to effectively teach informational text comprehension. The purpose of this project study was to explore preservice teachers' perceived self-efficacy to teach informational text comprehension. This study was grounded in a constructivist paradigm centered on Bandura’s concept of self-efficacy. The research questions concerned preservice teachers perceived self-efficacy to teach informational text …

Differentiated Instruction For Students With Significant Disabilities In Inclusive Secondary Classrooms, Oghenevwaire Odeworitse Malomo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Secondary general education teachers often face many challenges when differentiating instruction to meet the learning needs of students with significant disabilities (SD) in an inclusive secondary general education classroom. A qualitative case study that included eight general education teachers from different content areas in southwest state in the US was used to investigate the general education teachers’ perception of the challenges they face when differentiating instruction to meet the learning needs of students with SD in an inclusive secondary general education classroom. Tomlinson’s differentiated instruction (DI) model serve as the conceptual framework for this study, which emphasizes maximizing learning for …

Teacher Perspectives On Implementing Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum At An International Baccalaureate Elementary School, Whitney Nicole Niles

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers have difficulty implementing a social-emotional learning (SEL) program in the classroom at an International Baccalaureate (IB) elementary school in Georgia. As a district mandated initiative, elementary schools in the metro area have included SEL programs as an essential part of the curriculum to support the needs of the whole student. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore teachers' perspectives on implementing SEL at an IB elementary school. The conceptual framework drawn from Rogers' diffusion of innovations theory, focuses on what an individual does to implement and adopt an intervention. The study's guiding question explored 15 IB …

Preschool And Kindergarten Teachers’ Perspectives On Effective Strategies And Practices For Supporting Self-Regulation, Cheryl Denise Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research indicates that young children need to be able to self-regulate their emotions and behaviors to be successful in preschool and later schooling. However, there is no consensus in the education sector regarding what constitutes best strategies and practices when supporting self-regulation in young children. The purpose and guiding research question for this qualitative study were to explore teachers’ perspectives on effective strategies and practices used to support self-regulation in preschool and kindergarten classrooms. This study was premised on Bandura’s social learning theory, which explains human behavior in terms of continual interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors when attempting …

Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives On Engaging Fathers In Their Child’S Education, Jawan Marquis Burwell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Preschool environments set the educational foundation for children in the early years. Despite the positive effects that preschool environments have on children and families, previous studies have shown that preschool teachers are challenged to engage fathers in their child’s education. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate preschool teachers’ perspectives on engaging fathers in their child’s education. The conceptual framework was based upon Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. The research question focused on the challenges that teachers encounter in engaging fathers in their child’s education. This qualitative study included individual one-on-one interviews with 12 teachers using an open-ended …

Parent Practices In Homeschooling Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Demonstrate Problem Behaviors, Cymantha Jewel Channey-White

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThere is a gap in literature regarding parent practices in homeschooling children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who demonstrate problem behaviors during instructional sessions. Research literature showed that children with ASD demonstrate problem behaviors during instructional sessions in educational environments. The problem is a gap in the literature regarding how parents who homeschool their students with ASD address the same behaviors. The conceptual framework—social learning theory. The research questions were focused on parent practices of managing problem behavior during homeschool instructional sessions and the support they received. Qualitative research was used to explore the experiences of homeschool parent practices in …

The Pre-School Teacher Experience Of Social Skills For Early Education Success, Cheryl Dorsey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Pre-school is foundational to future academic success, and social skills have been recognized as a critical component of that foundation. How pre-school teachers facilitate social skills development is an area requiring further study. The purpose of this research was to describe the experience of social skills development from the perspective of early educators. Attachment and social learning theories were used as theoretical frameworks to explore how early education teachers describe the social skills for early education success in young children and how early education teachers facilitate the development of important social skills. This study used a generic, qualitative design …

Mathematics Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge And Its Relation To Student Achievement, Michelle Emmalyn Peters-George

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students' performance in national assessments of mathematics at Grades 2, 4, and 6 has been a cause for concern in the Eastern Caribbean. Researchers have called for studies to focus on primary mathematics teachers' pedagogies rather than on laptops and curriculum; however, it is unclear how primary mathematics teachers' pedagogical knowledge influences these student’s achievement. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between primary mathematics teachers' pedagogical content knowledge (mathematical knowledge for teaching, quality of instruction, and pedagogical qualifications) and student achievement, measured by national assessment scores in Grenada, controlling for teachers’ age, gender, and experience. …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Literacy Instruction With Autistic Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Heather Ann Marzenski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractFamilies and educators have voiced concerns about the literacy skills of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the situation. Pandemic era studies have demonstrated the ramifications that students with ASD have faced, including regression of literacy skills, lower grades, lack of support services, and subpar instruction. Teachers' perceptions remained unexamined in the pandemic era studies. The purpose of this basic qualitative dissertation was to examine teachers’ perceptions about the materials and strategies used to deliver literacy instruction during the pandemic for students with ASD. The conceptual frameworks that underpinned this study were self-determination theory …

Exploring The Strategies English As A Second Language Teachers Use To Teach Students, Unika Lasha Felton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIn the local school district under study located in southern United States, English as second language (ESL) students are experiencing lower than expected standardized testing scores according to expectations set forth by the state Department of Education. The purpose of this project study was to explore the strategies ESL teachers use to teach ESL students. The conceptual framework was Gagne’s conditions of learning theory, which is used to assess students’ lack of preparation for future academic and career success. The research question asked what strategies ESL teachers use to teach ESL students. A qualitative exploratory case study with purposive sampling …

Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives Of Professional Development Related To The Management Of Challenging Behaviors, Obioma Ijeoma Uche

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMany young children enter preschool programs exhibiting challenging behaviors and are suspended from preschool at a rate 3 times more than K–12 students. Many preschool students who need help are instead suspended or expelled. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore private preschool teachers’ perspectives on past or existing professional development opportunities related to children with challenging behaviors and the resources/professional development needed to support these students. Knowles’ theory of andragogy served as the conceptual lens for this study. Interview questions were developed to elicit in-depth participant responses to answer the two research questions on preschool teachers’ …

Middle School Teachers’ Use Of Differentiated Instruction Strategies, Felecia G. Prince

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMiddle School Teachers’ Use of Differentiated Instruction Strategies by Felecia George Prince MEd, Troy University, 2010 BS, Georgia Southern University, 1988 AA, East Georgia College, 1984 Project Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University June 2020Abstract The administrators at the study site were concerned that teachers struggle with differentiated instruction (DI) in their classrooms, which involves strategies to support students’ levels. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to learn what DI strategies teachers used at the study site. The conceptual framework of Tomlinson on the differentiated strategies …

Social And Emotional Learning Program Implementation: Educators’ Perspectives Of Preparation And Support, Papani Saini

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers are not properly prepared and supported to implement social and emotional learning (SEL) programs in the United States. Teachers must be properly equipped to be successful throughout implementation, thereby allowing students to reap the benefits of SEL programming. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore K-2 educators’ perspectives regarding the preparation and support they need to implement SEL programming. The conceptual framework for this study was based on Scheirer’s program implementation theory. The research questions focused on the perspectives of K-2 educators regarding the preparation and support they need for SEL program implementation. Purposeful sampling was …

Community College Instructional Support Of Nontraditional Students Using Technology, Charlotte Ann Graham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nontraditional students often enroll at institutions of higher learning without the technology skills needed to complete coursework and achieve academic success. The problem at a small community college in the Southern United States is that instructors are providing limited support for nontraditional students using technology, which may leave students ill-prepared to complete coursework. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine instructional support of nontraditional students using technology to complete coursework and to make recommendations to improve instructional support of students. Knowles’s adult learning theory, Daloz’s mentoring theory, and Siemens’s connectivist theory provided the framework for the study. Research …

Educators’ Roles In Promoting Foster Care Children’S Sense Of Well-Being In Early Childhood Settings, Francoise Erlich Snyder

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative study addressed educators’ roles in promoting a sense of well-being in prekindergarten and kindergarten students in the foster care system in the southwestern United States. Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory framed this exploration of educators’ roles in supporting foster children’s sense of well-being. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit nine educators from three different school settings with a minimum of 3 years of experience working with students in foster care. Data were collected during digitally audio-recorded interviews that explored how two administrators, two curriculum specialists, and five teachers with 3 to 25 years of experience working with students in …

Barbadian Pk-3 Grade Teachers’ Perspectives Of Positive Behavior Support, Nicole Natasha Lynch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Barbados, positive behavior support (PBS) has been introduced as an alternative to the use of harsh disciplinary practices, but Barbadian PK-3 grade teachers’ perspectives of PBS are not well understood. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore Barbadian PK-3 grade teachers’ perspectives of PBS as an approach to managing classroom behavior. The conceptual framework for this study was derived from Bandura’s social cognitive theory and the PBS framework. The research question focused on Barbadian PK-3 grade teachers’ perspectives of PBS as an approach to managing classroom behavior. Semi-structured telephone and Zoom interviews were used to collect …

Pre-K Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding Support Needed To Meet State Reading Standards, Kwe'shonte Mathews

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractEarly literacy has been a topic of interest in early childhood education for centuries, but the effects of early literacy teaching practices are an ongoing and unresolved topic amongst early educational programs. The problem was that in urban areas many students read below their expected grade level, preventing them from achieving literacy success. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore pre-k teachers’ perspectives in a large urban school district regarding the support needed to meet challenges implementing Georgia Early Learning and Development (GELD) Standards, while teaching pre-k students literacy, specifically phonemic awareness. The conceptual framework that guided …

Exploring The Perceptions Of Teachers Regarding Learner-Centered Instruction And Its Potential Impact On International Students, Evan David Barnhart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The subject of how best to educate students in the classroom has been one of debate, discussion, and research, with various forms of instruction touted as the most effective. Recently, learner-centered instruction (LCI) has been put forth as a method to educate students, and research supports its implementation. The problem addressed in this study was the inconsistent implementation of LCI at a private school in the West Coast of the United States, specifically regarding its failure to meet the needs of international students. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how teachers implement LCI in their classrooms to …

Teacher Perspectives On Integrating Technology In Early Childhood Classrooms, Crystal Renee Crozier

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The integration of technology in early childhood classrooms can be advantageous when used in meaningful ways. Early childhood teachers are utilizing technology in instruction; however, they are not always doing so effectively. There is a gap in practice regarding the factors that affect the choices of technology activities that early childhood teachers use. A study on what influences the decisions early childhood educators make when choosing the types of technology to integrate in the classroom was necessary to fill the gap in literature and enhance the technology practices of early childhood teachers. Using Bandura’s social cognition theory, the purpose of …

Early Grade Teacher Perspectives Of Struggling Learners And Later Mathematics Achievement, Crystal Ann Cuyler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students who were not identified with a learning disability or significant developmental delay (SDD) in prekindergarten, but may have undiscovered learning issues are often among the lowest performing students in mathematics when they reach upper grades. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand kindergarten, first, and second grade teacher perspectives of early indicators of later difficulties in mathematics among children not identified as having learning disabilities or SDD in prekindergarten. A retrospective study was conducted in which the remembrances of early grade teachers were used to explore the difficulties children who were struggling with mathematics as fourth and …

Alternative Certification Teachers' Perceptions About Teacher Preparation Programs, Mary Kathleen Huffman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to the teacher shortage in a U.S. southeastern state, administrators at Unified School District (USD, a pseudonym) hired alternative teacher certification program (ATCP) teachers enrolled in graduate level education courses through ATCPs while teaching full time. These ATCP teachers have bachelor’s degrees and work experiences in various professions. The problem investigated in this study was the high attrition rate of ATCP teachers. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore ATCP teachers’ perceptions of their preparation program, previous degrees, careers, and family life experiences in preparation for teaching in USD’s K-12 schools. The conceptual framework was Shulman’s …

Extension Youth Development Professionals’ Experiences Implementing Inclusive Youth Development Programming, Crystal Renee Perry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Youth with disabilities benefit from being included in extracurricular activities. However, often youth with a disability do not participate in extracurricular activities. The purpose of this basic, qualitative study was to explore the experiences of Extension Youth Development Professionals (YDPs) as they serve youth with disabilities in their 4-H programs. The research question for this study focused on the perceptions and experiences of the YDPs implementing inclusive, positive youth development programs. Conceptually, the transfer of learning theories provided the framework for this study. Data for this study were collected through the instrument of interviews, consisting of questions focusing on training, …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Strategies For Parents To Improve Reading Development, Chiekara Shaniecious Grace Waters-Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in the study is the significant numbers of elementary school students who fail to demonstrate proficiency in reading/language arts as determined by the Georgia Milestones English Language Arts Test. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate teachers’ perceptions of effective research-based parental involvement strategies, materials, and training programs that may enable parents to help their children develop grade-level reading skills. Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory and Epstein's parental involvement model are the conceptual frameworks that guided this study. The research questions addressed effective strategies, materials, and training programs for academic success. Data were collected from individual …

Voice As A Tool For Learning: Using Personal Narratives To Eliminate Boundaries, Alexandra Reyes

Middle Grades & Secondary Education: Faculty Presentations (1999-2023)

In educational linguistics, educators rely on social interactions and real-world experiences to inform pedagogical practice. Such hands-on learning opportunities are not always accessible to students, due to a variety of external factors. Narratives have long been used as tools for teaching and learning in various contexts, particularly when field experiences are unavailable or unfeasible. Personal narratives can be especially powerful, as they provide insight to others’ lived experiences and transcend cultural, geographic, historical, generational, and linguistic worlds. In this presentation I explore the use of written and video personal narratives as a meaningful supplement to (and potential substitute for) field …

The Effects Of Same-Sex Parental Relationships On Teenagers, Denise A. Daniels

Theses and Dissertations

Having same-sex parents is often linked with negative effects to the well-being of children into their adult years. The reported experiences from teenagers with same-sex parents and the stressors they experience are next to nonexistent. For this study, an interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted to understand how teenagers age 13-16 make meaning of their same-sex parents’ relationship and the stressors they experience.

The theoretical framework for this study was based on the collaborative language system (CLS) of Anderson and Goolishian. The researcher investigated the perceptions of four teenaged participants regarding their relationships with their same-sex parents and how they coped …

The Constructivist Approach Towards Identifying The Challenges Of Esp Teachers: The Case Of Aviation English, Gökhan Demirdöken Mr.

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Continuous growth of aviation industry necessitates developing a better understanding of English for Specific Purposes teaching settings to improve the quality teaching and in turn, to serve best for the needs of ESP students. Therefore, role of ESP teachers and their experiences in these teaching settings need to be closely monitored for improved professional development opportunities. Taking this into account the present study focused on ESP teachers working and giving Aviation English courses in a tertiary level institution in Turkey. The constructivist approach was adopted to uncover the challenges encountered by ESP teachers in the target setting. Five ESP teachers …