The continual growth of linguistically and culturally diverse students in schools proposes a challenge for teachers to address their academic and linguistic needs. Therefore, it is important to note the preparation of new teachers to address these needs. The purpose of this study is to explore what teacher candidates understand about teaching in…

There is a high kindergarten through third-grade teacher turnover rate in high-poverty and high-minority inner-city schools. If the low retention of novice inner-city kindergarten through third-grade teachers is not addressed, early learners who need it most will not receive a quality education. A qualitative methodological case study was…

There is a plethora of research within the field of early childhood education that discusses how early childhood teacher educators prepare preservice teachers to integrate technology within their curriculum. However, little is known about how early childhood preservice teachers think and make decisions about technology use when they plan lessons…

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning defines social and emotional learning (SEL) as "the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions." It…

This mixed methods investigation sought to explore the effectiveness of a stuttering training module with preservice teachers. Stigmatizing attitudes about people who stutter (PWS) have been found not only in society at large, but also in specific groups including teachers. Misinformation about stuttering in educators can render early experiences…

Diversity is now an essential matter in US public schools. For the first time in America's history, students of color will constitute a majority of the public school enrollment; on the other hand, most early childhood and elementary teachers remain monolingual, white, middle-class females (Hussar & Bailey, 2019). The demographic mismatch…

Limited research exists on the factors that contribute to community college students' development of self-efficacy (SE) while serving as preservice teachers (PSTs) during their early childhood education (ECE) practicum. This lack of research is concerning because educators who have high SE enhance the educational well-being of all children. The…

Each year the expectation of teachers by many politicians, educational administrators, and the media is to raise the academic performance of students. This is a reasonable expectation since teachers have the most consistent contact with students and control over the learning environment and its components. Standardized tests, the teacher's report…

Traumatic experiences have the potential to influence neurological development which can change the way a person behaves, learns, and builds relationships. While the footprint of trauma has always been prevalent, the mental health of America's children has rapidly declined and has been described as a crisis. PreK-12 classroom teachers are working…

This study aimed to explore preservice teachers' perceptions of their preparedness to support students who have been exposed to or/are currently encountering adverse childhood experiences. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a form of trauma and are very likely to occur among students. Due to students spending a significant amount of time in…

This dissertation investigates the effectiveness of a professional development program aimed at enhancing early childhood education (ECE) teachers' abilities to identify and address developmentally appropriate versus maladaptive behaviors in young children. Utilizing an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, the study involves pre- and…

Despite its importance within the literacy continuum, handwriting is an overlooked component within teacher training. The researcher utilized a pre-experimental, mixed methods approach to explore perceptions of and provide explanations of preservice training in handwriting, current handwriting instructional practices, and attitudes among educators…

Early childhood educators play a significant role in attending to the whole child by nurturing, caring, educating, and molding the young minds in their care. To be effective educators, early childhood educators must be well-rounded with the knowledge to attend to the children with utmost care and consideration. Early childhood teachers must be…

As potential discipline leaders, college professors desire to establish themselves as viable and credible assets to their programs. In this quest, the college music program must become relevant to the pre-service teacher so the K-20 classroom can flourish. Are music programs at Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) preparing well-trained music…

A practicum is a field experience that provides opportunities for preservice teachers to implement academic understanding and practical training in an authentic classroom environment. Though practicum experiences are one of the most common and crucial aspects of teacher preparation programs, there is limited research to promote understanding of…