Care theory began as an ethical framework focused on the creation of classrooms and schools that treat students and communities in more empathetic and meaningful ways. Over thirty years after its application to the field, there is broad agreement that students need caring classrooms and teachers have come to be the primary providers of this care.…

Purpose: This research aims to understand university faculty, staff, and administrators' role in advancing institutional change in justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (JEDIB) at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI).Background. JEDIB initiatives have recently expanded across many U.S. higher education institutions, while HSIs are…

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted almost all aspects of society including the United States School Systems. As we get further out from the onset of the pandemic and restrictions ease, we are beginning to see that there will be some lasting and irreversible implications in schools across the country. This research implies that teachers were…

This doctoral dissertation investigates the differences in perceptions of school climate among in-school stakeholders. The study focuses on how the participant's role within the school and gender impact their perceptions of school climate. Surveys were administered to students and teachers in a high school setting, with quantitative analysis…

This research focuses on the endangered species of Black Male Educators (BMEs) and aims to shed light on their lived experiences within the educational system. The underrepresentation of black male teachers in the United States school systems is a significant problem, as it has been linked to negative academic outcomes for students, particularly…

This dissertation explores the role that shame plays in schools in the United States, both historically and today. Through utilizing the Scholarly Personal Narrative (SPN) arts-based inquiry method, I consider my own encounters with shame both as a student and teacher, and position these stories as a jumping-off point to further investigate the…

Tracking is the practice of grouping students into homogeneous classes based on their perceived ability or intelligence. It is a pervasive system used by school districts across the United States and, like most widely used practices, it has its proponents and opponents. Through a qualitative case study approach, this study aims to explore…

The climate is in crisis. Many conservation organizations identify in their mission statements the priority of motivating constituents to engage with conservation action. This priority is typically implemented by educators who design and deliver educational activities and materials. This study, designed to develop a professional pathway for…

From stress and burnout, to anxiety and depression, teachers are suffering from various mental health issues. Teacher mental health concerns are affecting school and classroom climates, attrition rates, and student performance. Teachers are in need of school district-provided mental health supports, practices, and programs. This mixed-methods…

This sequential mixed method aimed to understand students' perspectives of their instructor's capability of humanizing the synchrotron online learning format. Recognizing the impact of humanizing the synchrotron online learning format will aid EL teachers, administrators, and students in considering a holistic plan for improving the synchrotron…

White space in the educational system is an attitude, environment, ideology dominated by the white dominant voice and creed. This white space intimidates and oppresses Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students, not only physically but mentally and emotionally. This research provides solutions to help instructors decenter white space. In…

This dissertation study aimed to understand the roles educators play in designing and supporting inclusive classroom communities and the degree to which students have participatory parity in classrooms described as inclusive. This study was framed within the lens of sociocultural historical activity and decolonial theories. The multifaceted…

Virtual Reality (VR) and Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) are technologies that allow users to interact with virtual environments and can create and participate in digital educational experiences and simulations. Due to the VR and VLEs being relatively new technologies in education, acceptance, use, and finally adoption in a classroom…

"Mattering" is a key component of success for students (Rosenberg & McCullough, 1981). For community college students, the classroom plays a critical role in their college experience because community college students spend most of their time on campus (Lundberg, 2014). Among college courses, first-year writing classes hold…

Special education teachers are subject to difficult working conditions in their provision of quality special education services to their students. Despite the severe working conditions that special education teachers endure, little research has considered the presence and impact of vicarious trauma (VT) in this specific population. The nature of…