A mediated field experience (MFE) mathematics methods course increased both pre-service elementary teachers' (PSTs) self-efficacy for teaching mathematics and mathematical dispositions. The semester-long MFE with significant, structured teaching experiences was conducted onsite at an elementary school. Quantitative, pre- and post-surveys of…

This study examined the impact of targeted literacy coaching in the area of phonological awareness on teacher knowledge and confidence, instructional methods, and student outcomes. Three interviews, three coaching sessions, and three classroom observations were conducted with five teacher participants, ranging from grades kindergarten through…

Computer Science (CS) is a rapidly growing field that impacts almost every aspect of students' lives. From media consumption to future careers in medicine, agriculture, security, finance, and other areas, understanding computer programming is essential for 21st-century society and careers. Over the next decade, employment opportunities in computer…

There is not a great body of research that exists exploring literacy self-efficacy perceptions of teachers through a qualitative lens, and it was noted that the voices of teachers were missing in literacy self-efficacy research. This qualitative study investigates teachers' perceptions about their literacy self-efficacy, as well as what factors…

This dissertation investigates the issue of gender stratification within engineering and other STEM-related fields. The dissertation is divided into three articles that address different aspects of the problem and propose potential solutions. Article 1 explores the persistent gender imbalance within STEM fields, particularly in engineering and…

For students to engage in mathematical thinking, a greater emphasis is needed on the expectations of students, by themselves and others, as active listeners and explainers. As student responsibility for mathematical thinking and participation increases, the roles of the teacher and learner change. A qualitative study of changing classroom…

Self-efficacy has been associated with benefits to everyday life such as resilience to stress and adversity, healthy behaviours, improved performance, and academic achievement. Research into self-efficacy development is scarce in early childhood, yet self-efficacy is associated with numerous skills and competencies taught in the early years of…

With large-scale wicked problems threatening our world, the integration of sustainability into teacher professional learning is systemically lacking in the United States. The purpose of this case study was to understand the impact of a multi-session, sustainability-related professional learning program on twelve PreKindergarten-8th grade educators…

Black youth in America must overcome many systematic obstacles to function successfully in American society. Racist social views and racist structures significantly impact Black youth's access to equitable education and resources and lead to disparate educational outcomes. One intervention that may help protect school age Black youth from the…

Teacher self-efficacy (TSE) is assumed to affect classroom environment, although empirical evidence for this assumption is still elusive. This study examines the relationship between TSE in behaviour management and classroom behavioural climate using a two-level cross-lagged model. TSE in behaviour management was assessed with six-item subscale of…

Black and Latinx students, along with those in special education programs, are suspended and expelled at rates higher than their peers. Exclusionary discipline can lead to poor academic performance, high dropout rates, and incarceration. Restorative practices (RP) promote a positive school culture, reduce punitive discipline, and build strong…

In the wake of China's "Double Reduction" policy, the prohibition of after-school tutoring centers has led to a rise in parental assistance in their children's homework, concurrently elevating parental anxiety as homework assistant. This research aims to explore the effect of parental self-efficacy on the parental anxiety as homework…

The impact of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum on Chinese teachers' self-efficacy has been unknown. The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to determine the impacts of the International Baccalaureate curriculum on Chinese teachers' reports of self-efficacy. Two groups were studied, the first comprised Chinese public…

The purpose of this dissertation-in-practice was to examine the perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs of K-5 elementary school teachers in a suburban Central Texas school on their use of blended learning in the classroom. Before conducting the study, previous research on blended learning was reviewed in the areas of student achievement, student…

This study focused on a problem of practice at Mystic River School (MRS), a kindergarten through eighth grade school in an urban district in New England. Schoolwide diagnostic data showed a significant gap between multilingual learners (MLs) and their native English speaking peers in literacy. An analysis of this data, interviews with staff and…