Researchers have found that sex trafficking in the 21st century is a growing human rights atrocity. This qualitative case study investigates law enforcement professionals' perceived needs as first responders to identify and support sex trafficking victims. Specifically, this study examines resources, training, and support that they perceive to be…

While it is well understood that teachers are leaving the profession, what is less discussed is the why behind teachers choosing to leave. In 2023, 44% of teachers surveyed said they were likely or very likely to leave their job within the next two years. By 2025, unfilled teaching positions are expected to approach 200,000 (Mielke, 2023). This…

Although students from Africa are among the least represented groups among international students in U.S. higher education, the number of enrollments in U.S. schools has significantly increased (Institute of International Education, 2020). The steady rise in African international students suggests a compelling need to qualitatively examine these…

The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of post-service educators' use of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills with students experiencing emotional dysregulation in a day treatment school. This study extended previous research by examining the perceptions of teachers using DBT skills with students that are demonstrating…

The purpose of this exploratory study was to gain insight into the perceived importance of emotional awareness with pre-service teachers (PSTs) participating in a mixed reality simulator (MRS), as well as the impact of emotional awareness exercises in a MRS on adaptiveness in coping and empathy. Emotional awareness includes the cognitive skills of…

Military children go through an adjustment when their military parent leaves for deployment. This study examined deployment through the lens of military children. It looked closely at how they perceive and describe their deployment experience. It used the emotional cycle of deployment to understand their emotions during the three deployment…

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted educational systems worldwide, compelling educators to rapidly adapt to unprecedented challenges. This dissertation presents the findings of a phenomenological study that delves into the perceptions and experiences of teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research explores the multifaceted impact of the…

College students face many stressors and are at-risk of poor mental health and wellness outcomes. The global COVID-19 pandemic, increasing prevalence of childhood adverse experiences, and engagement in health-risk behaviors have amplified these concerns. Students need access to supports to cope with stress, regulate emotions, and help them to…

This case study explored the impacts of school shootings on K-12 school principals. Eleven school principals and assistant principals from rural, suburban, and urban areas in all regions of the United States were interviewed. The study answered two research questions: What impact do school shootings have on school principals? and What do…

The subject of teacher identity is problematized by a number of factors and is compounded by its relationship to various constructs, including liminality. To further explore the process of teacher identity development in preservice teachers, this interpretive case study addresses what the contribution of liminal experiences are to teacher identity…

The University of Washington's Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher well-being hybrid and online courses for both pre-service and in-service teachers uses stress coping strategies to foster resilience, self- value, and confidence in ECE teachers. The present study employed a mixed-method research approach to investigate three questions…

Teachers, administrators, counselors and other school staff may experience secondary traumatic stress (STS), also known as compassion fatigue (CF), stemming from their work with students impacted by trauma. However, there is limited research to describe the effect of these experiences on adults in schools. This qualitative, phenomenological study…

Not a lot of research has been done on the middle age years despite this being a pivotal time for adults. Women at this stage of their lives undergo many changes such as perimenopause to complete menopause, having to take care of aging parents, and losing a spouse. Additionally, women tend to seek other women for help and support and form a…

Novice teachers face various challenges in their profession. As a result, 18% leave the profession due to challenges such as inadequate support and intolerable expectations from the school administration. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how novice teachers perceive school principals' and school leaders'…

Due to the increased awareness that emotions have on student outcomes within the classroom setting, gaining insight on the emotional socialization process within the classroom setting may lead to continued improvements within the social-emotional learning curricula in the school environment. The goal of this study was to examine the relation…