School leaders, educators, and community members are keenly aware that New Mexico has consistently ranked last in the nation in education, childhood poverty rate, and access to appropriate individualized educational support for children (Bobroff, 2019; Martinez, 2021; Rodriguez, 2019; Sanchez & Martinez, 2019). Now is the time to address the…

Restorative practices (RP) have been shown through research to produce positive results on school culture and reductions in measures of exclusionary discipline especially when a whole-school and culture change approach is utilized. Further, the benefits of RP include fostering community, belonging, and supporting the development of positive…

The relationship between religiosity and ethical behavior at work has remained elusive. In combining both religion and higher education we can discover how these two systems thematically, may pose greater potential towards a better understanding of the factors that influence ethical judgements and behaviors in academic settings. This study…

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic began its effect on public school education. With online classes, students without remote access, and teachers with little to no experience in technology-based instruction, students, parents, and teachers were navigating the unknown. We have returned to campus, and routines are back in place, but education will…

Principals of low-performing schools in northern New Mexico lack adequate professional development to improve student outcomes. Exploration of experiences in the professional development program, Principals Pursuing Excellence, studied the lived phenomena of 12 rural northeastern turnaround school leaders through the conceptual framework of…

Culturally responsive and socially just leadership is crucial in today's world. The author implemented a qualitative research method using a bounded case study. These terminologies: "culturally responsive, socially just, and equitable leadership" (Khalifa, 2020; Lopez, 2016; Peters & Luke, 2021; Shields, 2017) consciously formed the…

Much has been written regarding the dire educational state of most schools in rural America. This case study profiles two elementary school principals (preK-6) in rural New Mexico whose schools achieved adequate yearly progress (AYP) for the 2009-10 school year. The focus of this study centered on specific characteristics of the school cultures…

Research studies have demonstrated that effective parental involvement correlates with positive academic success. This study sought to gain more insight into the perceptions of parents and caregivers of Navajo children enrolled in a K-12 tribally controlled, public, charter, or Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) operated schools. By completing a…