Despite the efforts of traditional and alternative teacher education programs (i.e. pre-service teacher education) in the United States, teachers frequently report feeling unprepared by the time they begin teaching full time in the classroom. Teachers with low levels of self-efficacy are correlated with lower job satisfaction, higher levels of…

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent that contingent faculty from Michigan's 15 public universities engage with on and off-campus professional development (PD) to improve their teaching practice. Addressing a spectrum of research questions, this study utilized an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative…

This research project employs a case study design to examine how K-6 non-computer science (CS) trained teachers can be effectively prepared to teach CS, metaphorically unmasking hidden superheroes in the education system. Grounded in the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, the study also integrates Bandura's Theory of…

Disaster preparedness is an essential part of the daily hospital operations particularly emergency departments (ED). The increasing threats of mass casualty incidents (MCI), makes it imperative that staff be prepared to participate in all-hazard responses. This project evaluated the effect of training and in-service on the 15'TIL 50 MCI plan,…

The participant-centered, discipleship-focused train-the-trainer prototype identifies the changes discipleship requires of us and correlates those with various techniques and approaches used in effective participant-centered andragogy. The result is a train-the-trainer curriculum that teaches Christian leaders more effective training skills while…

This dissertation in practice will focus on gaining insights into the relationship between money spent on professional development and the Standards Assessment Inventory Scores. The Standards Assessment Inventory is an assessment tool aligned with the Standards of Professional Learning that provides insight into the perceptions of professional…

School systems have long faced teacher shortages, with high turnover rates exacerbating the shortage, particularly in Career and Technical Education (CTE). Teachers who enter CTE through alternative licensure (AL) face unique obstacles transitioning from industry to teaching. This study addressed the retention challenge among AL CTE teachers by…

The purpose of this thesis was to write a grant for Paramount Unified School District in California to implement a curriculum on child abuse prevention for students in grades kindergarten through 5th grade (K-5) based upon the evidence-based HealthSmart curriculum. This educational initiative will focus on child sexual abuse prevention and will be…

Professional learning and growth for teachers is essential for effective teaching and the learning of students. Teachers receive formalized professional learning at the beginning of their careers through structures such as teacher education and induction programs. Beyond the novice years, professional growth opportunities for teachers vary and can…

The early childhood field is increasingly beginning to recognize the importance of integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematical concepts into preschool classrooms. Despite this recognition, preschool teachers often face challenges integrating these subjects due to insufficient knowledge, training, and resources. This…

Educators feel overwhelmed by managing challenging behaviors which often leads to burnout and turnover (Clotfelter et al., 2006; Kokkinos, 2007; Simon & Johnson, 2015). However, professional development (PD) in evidenced-based behavior management practices (EBMPs) is sparse with current PD models yielding varied outcomes (Darling-Hammond et…

The gap in academic achievement between traditionally underrepresented minority students and their White counterparts remains evident. Therefore, intervention is needed to prompt teachers to reflect and act on their professional development (PD) strategies. This qualitative case study aims to explore K-12 teachers' perceptions of strategies…

This study addressed the problem of identifying challenges and expectations when a school transitions from traditional education to personalized learning. The single case study used semi-structured interviews to discover the experiences and thoughts of ten teachers and staff members from a rural high school that transitioned. The school was in its…

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are the legal documents guiding the education of students with disabilities served under IDEA. Despite the importance of these documents, noncompliance and lack of quality remain in the present levels of academic and functional performance, annual goals and objectives, and supplementary aids and services…

Race and weight are two highly salient aspects of social identity across the lifespan. Both are important targets for intervention, but they are acknowledged or understood very differently as issues of bias and social justice. Racism is viewed as a problem and poorly addressed, and weight stigma is rarely noticed. Unlike other domains of…