The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the lived experiences of instructors assigned to Detachment 9, in implementing and understanding Student-Centered Learning into classroom curriculum and practices. This study utilized a phenomenological design methodology to examine the instructors' lived experiences in great detail and to…

MCL unclearly defined for the teachers asked to implement it in the classroom. This study sought to determine how teacher's implement MCL through the data collection of a mind map, which instructional components teachers used, the ideas that MCL has advanced and the idea that MCL made sense of. This qualitative case study analyzed six teacher's…

With teacher attrition on the rise and an educational landscape filled with mounting instructional demands and postpandemic challenges, the need for informal teacher leaders has never been greater. Informal teacher leaders, while still in the classroom themselves, are in a unique position to model, coach, collaborate, and advocate for colleagues.…

STEM education and integrative STEM education are increasingly popular in the K-12 domain. However, there is not a consensus on their definitions, nor a sufficient amount of instructional support to help teachers that are unfamiliar with these learning approaches. This study examined how an intentionally designed experiential professional…

Writing is a fundamental skill needed for academic success and is considered a lifelong tool. Most students in the United States, however, do not meet grade-level proficiency in writing. Since 2015, the fourth-grade writing performance has not exceeded 50% proficient at the study site. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore…

Student-centered teaching (SCT) has been the dominant education philosophy in the U.S. K-12 education. However, the definition and practice of SCT have been rooted in western education contexts. Since students in U.S. schools become more and more diverse, it remains unclear how SCT works for diverse learners. This research delved into the…

Instructional strategies are essential to reform initiatives in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The problem was higher education instructors in STEM disciplines continue to use siloed and teacher-centered strategies in courses even though integrated and student-centered approaches are more effective in engaging…

This dissertation is a two-part study comparing U.S. and Chinese teachers' beliefs and noticing patterns. The overarching question for this study is: "How does culture influence what mathematics teachers believe and notice?" This project seeks to investigate this central assumption: there are distinctly "Western" and "East…

Education, a system that has remained largely unchanged for over 150 years, is facing a critical juncture. The traditional way of teaching, often referred to as the "grammar of schooling," is widely seen as outdated and ineffective in meeting the diverse needs of today's students. Educators and policymakers have a growing consensus that…

The nationwide decline in mathematics achievement has prompted curriculum leaders to search for a research-based framework with proven results. Implementing John Hattie's Visible Learning practices in a school district in upstate South Carolina significantly improved overall mastery of mathematics. This approach empowered teachers and students,…

In 2010, the Institute of Medicine issued a report calling for the transformation of undergraduate nursing education to prepare new graduates for the complexities of practice. To improve preparation for practice, faculty responded by incorporating student-centered, active learning strategies (SCALS); however, the effectiveness of SCALS has not…

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…

The history of grading practices is riddled with inequities, dating to the inception of the traditional grading system, which was designed to rank and sort. Despite expanding public education to include all members of society, traditional grading practices have yet to evolve in response to the growing demand for equitable and student-centered…

The subject of how best to educate students in the classroom has been one of debate, discussion, and research, with various forms of instruction touted as the most effective. Recently, learner-centered instruction (LCI) has been put forth as a method to educate students, and research supports its implementation. The problem addressed in this study…

A systematically disproportionate amount of Black and Brown students have struggled in their high school (HS) math courses, particularly with inclusion, identity, and academic success. This study came from a humbling journey of what it meant for a math educator to shift toward student-centered pedagogies within a deficit-oriented system of…