The purpose of this study was to examine the current state of literacy coaching in Florida elementary schools and contribute its findings to the growing body of research associated with the position. Research to date demonstrates how this position holds potential for bridging the gap between teachers' knowledge and teachers' instructional…

Literacy coaching provides job-embedded professional development intended to influence teacher instructional practices and increase student achievement. Coaches mediate their role between "Responsive" and "Directive" stances. "Responsive" stances are described as coaching behaviors where the coach responds to the…

School principals are charged with being instructional leaders and yet they are tasked with obligations and face daily challenges that often make this an unrealistic expectation. According to the Maine Department of Education, 225 instructional coaches work in 53 Maine school districts. Instructional coaches provide feedback and support for…

Organizational commitment as a strategy promotes effective employee retention, satisfaction, and performance. Puerto Rico and the United States are facing a major teacher shortage, and teacher attrition is the primary contributor. The problem addressed by this study is a lack of educators/administrators' strategies to help promote and commit…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore, through the lens of Lawson's (1983a, 1983b) Occupational Socialization Theory, teacher/coaches' lived experiences of teacher/coach role conflict in one large rural school and one small rural school. Through the lens of occupational socialization, this study examines the consequential…

Student success and achievement can be measured in myriad ways; however, the impact of teacher effectiveness in each classroom is an essential part of the formula for student success. Although most teachers work in isolation in their classrooms, it is important for school leaders to support student success by supporting teachers. This study…

This observational case study employed a qualitative design to investigate the impact of student-centered instructional coaching and self-determined professional development on student engagement in middle school mathematics. Research demonstrates that engaging students in the learning process increases their attention and motivates them to engage…

This study applied Bandura's model of reciprocal determinism through social cognitive theory to examine the bidirectional triadic relationships between personal, behavioral, and environmental factors that impact the underrepresentation of Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC) professionals in the nonprofit sector.…

Employees engage in informal learning to solve a workplace problem and to gain knowledge at the time the need arises without waiting to attend a scheduled training session (Jacobs & Park, 2009; Livingstone, 1999; Schugurensky, 2000; Schurmann & Beausaert, 2016). The definition employed in this study is the self-guided pursuit of knowledge,…

This mixed-methods study examined educators' perceptions of obstacles that prevent instructional coaches from increasing teacher efficacy and developing relationships with teachers. Data were gathered from instructional coaches in a focus group, interviews with administrators, and teachers using a survey. Transcripts from the focus group and…

Using Charmaz's constructivist approach to grounded theory, this study presents a substantive theory about the ways that equitable leadership practices developed in principals within charter management organizations during a time of deep social transformation. This study was designed to understand the mindsets, beliefs, and values of principals…

At Community Leadership High School, a pseudonym, graduation rates have consistently ranged between 95% and 100%. However, 35% to 40% of graduates, who come from low income families of color, lack the college and career readiness skills required to succeed after high school. The aim of this improvement science study was to increase the percentage…

This action research dissertation explores the role of coaching in fostering people's development within the administrative services of a small research-intensive public university. The study explores how coaching influences employee attitudes, self-efficacy, personal and professional growth, productivity, and overall organizational effectiveness.…

This dissertation presents a qualitative case study investigating the influence of cognitive coaching on elementary international teachers within a southeastern school district. Guided by four research questions, the study delved into the experiences and perceptions of international teachers participating in cognitive coaching sessions, aiming to…

Secondary ELA teachers use a variety of methods to engage, motivate, and teach their students literacy. Some methods include an emphasis on arts integration. One method of arts integration that has not been studied often in high school is the use of drama-based pedagogies (DBP). DBP are an innovative avenue to improving meaning-making and other…