The purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of virtual mentoring and coaching (VMC) on in-service teachers' professional growth and perception through participation in Project ETELL (Empowering Teachers of English Language Learners, Grant Award No. T365Z160229). In Chapter II, I conducted a systematic review to better understand…

The problem this study addressed was that K-12 special education teachers were challenged with using effective instructional and engagement practices in a virtual setting for students with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to explore K-12 special education teachers' experiences with using effective instructional and engagement practices…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many educational institutions realized the need to shift traditional courses to online for health concerns. Teachers experienced technological, pedagogical, physical, and psychological challenges during this abrupt shift to online learning and a dire need for relevant professional development. Many teachers perceived…

This study sought to gain perspective into the emotions of special education teachers and their feelings of self-efficacy in their ability to provide their students with virtual instruction. A phenomenological study was conducted utilizing a two-interview process to gain insight into those feelings and emotions. By utilizing a phenomenological…

This dissertation explored the challenges and adaptations made by educators and service providers in creating an inclusive virtual learning environment for students with special needs, particularly focusing on the experiences of educators working with deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students. Grounded in the identified gaps in the literature, the…

The problem addressed through this qualitative study was that middle school teachers in a suburban public school district in the southern United States were inconsistently using Google Classroom in their classrooms. At the project site, middle school teachers were creating a blended learning environment; however, administrators expected them to…

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in several challenges for students and teachers in the United States. The introduction of virtual instruction was a challenge for many, especially teachers. As many educators attempted to determine how to best support their students and teachers, the latter looked for ways to create lessons and connect with students…

Many people consider teaching a calling; the profession is predicated on helping others while yielding little personal gain. A teacher's primary goal is to deliver a valuable and engaging educational opportunity. The onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic in 2020 created challenges to reaching this goal for many teachers across the United States…

The general problem was that the closing of on-campus schooling due to the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to the need for lower schools to implement virtual education (Bakia et al., 2018; Griffy-Brown, 2021; Reisoglu et al., 2017), and virtual education may continue to be the response to future crises that require on-campus…

The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak, which led to the COVID-19 pandemic, was a catalyst for major changes for schools in America and worldwide. Specifically, the delivery of instruction through the traditional in-person learning model. In Massachusetts, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered lawmakers to propose…

This qualitative phenomenological study examines special education teachers' perspectives to understand how virtual learning environments can support, through social-emotional interactions, the cognitive development of students with low-incident disabilities in a homebound setting. For this study, which was based on Vygotsky's sociocultural theory…

Throughout the history of education, effective classroom management has been identified as one of the most important factors impacting student learning. At the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers abruptly transitioned from traditional in-class learning to teaching online and implementing strategies to assist in managing their online…

This study explored the conceptual and practical tools 4th grade teachers use to teach writing in an online classroom. Considering the importance of writing proficiency, the continuous growth in online teaching, and the lack of research in the teaching of elementary writing in an online classroom, this study was both timely and necessary.…

K-12 online schools are proliferating in the United States. While there are some teacher preparation programs geared towards K-12 online learning, the vast majority of K-12 virtual teachers are learning on the job. Research is still emerging in this field, and additional research is necessary in this dynamic field of education. Opponents of online…

Research has linked social presence in virtual teaching and learning to greater retention of students, increased student satisfaction, and higher levels of perceived learning. Teachers and families also benefit from increased social presence and community. However, challenges exist to implementing effective virtual teaching and learning at all…