The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how urban high school teachers describe their understanding and navigation of workplace pressures that are associated with teacher burnout. Maslach's multidimensional burnout theory served as a framework for two research questions: (1) How do urban high school teachers describe their…

This study examined how the concept of social justice was operationalized in the university coursework of students enrolled in an urban teacher residency program that aims to diversify the teaching corps and prepare secondary STEM teachers for urban classroom environments. Based on analysis of 39 syllabi and interviews with nine faculty members,…

Teachers' work is inherently political at both the interpersonal and structural levels. Yet, now, many teachers are under state-sanctioned and local pressure to be apolitical. Moreover, many teachers are citing feelings of political attack as a significant driver in their decisions to stay or leave the teaching profession, even as the US faces…

Accountability has been a major feature of educational policy making across the globe, including in the US where there is a persistent focus on student achievement results. This paper examines how accountability influences organizational routines in US schools, paying particular attention to meeting routines. We draw upon in-depth qualitative data…

Teacher credibility is a prerequisite of effective instruction. A credible teacher is honest, knowledgeable, and caring. Credible teachers do the right thing when no one is watching; they are in control of the learning environment, but they do this in an enthusiastic and engaging way. Credibility takes time to develop. This study investigated ways…

Teachers' decisions are often undergirded by their sense of pedagogical responsibility: whom and what they feel beholden to. However, research on teacher sensemaking has rarely examined how teachers reason about their pedagogical responsibilities. The study analysed an emotional conversation among urban mathematics teachers about what they teach…

This qualitative case study explores the perceptions of schools, schooling, and teaching prior to and after engagement in a dual enrollment program. Data from nine participants revealed insights into the ways pre-college students thought about careers in teaching, how experiences in the dual enrollment program shaped their interest in teaching,…

In this dissertation I seek to examine and expose the world of teaching, and particularly the world of teaching mathematics in public middle schools and high schools in New York City. These schools are administered by the New York City Department of Education which each year is responsible for the education of over one million students. In this…

As schools adopt more inclusive practices, educators increasingly collaborate and co-teach to meet the needs of diverse learners. Co-teaching has been found to have benefits for students across elementary and secondary grades. However, there is a need for teacher educators to provide more preservice training in collaboration and in co-teaching.…

This study examines urban high school teachers' perceptions (N = 50) of their strengths and needs in supporting diverse students in their classrooms. Qualitative analysis of responses revealed the emergence of four thematic categories: enactment of positive teacher dispositions; external challenges affecting student learning; strengths in the…

Alternative certification programs provide a potential solution for teacher shortages in high-needs settings and content areas. These programs often attract career changers, who bring a passion for their content area and a desire to make it relevant to students. Research suggests that support during the first year is critical, but little is known…

The negative impacts of high teacher turnover are widely documented, with particular impact on low-income, high-minority schools. Turnover can be especially widespread in science education, where teachers are in high demand. Although teacher retention is predicated on job satisfaction, which is in turn fostered by opportunities for professional…

Background/Context: This research is framed by theories of teacher morale and teacher empowerment and contributes to the literature on neoliberal educational policies and teacher burnout and attrition. Purpose and Research Questions: The purpose of this study is to understand the intersections of teachers' experiences with neoliberal policies, at…

There is limited research of observed writing instruction in inclusive, secondary diverse urban contexts. This study contributes to the field by investigating four urban secondary English teachers' perceptions of ideal writing instruction as compared with their actual instruction, which is primarily driven by high-stakes accountability measures.…

Urban teacher residencies (UTRs) have emerged as an innovative alternative to recruiting and preparing high quality teachers for traditionally underserved, urban schools. UTRs offer opportunities for teacher candidates and mentors to use co-teaching models to differentiate instruction, particularly as schools adopt more inclusive practices…