ERIC Number: ED602108
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 168
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-3921-8817-0
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Teachers and Leaders Working Together towards STEM Integration: An Early Childhood School Based Case Study
Floreal, Ruth
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northeastern University
This descriptive single-case study, using interviews, a focus group, document analysis and observation/field notes explored how pedagogical and leadership practices at a preschool impacted Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) integration. This study sought to understand how STEM was integrated daily within the classroom environment and to develop a more precise understanding of how school leaders in Early Childhood Education (ECE) support STEM. A Distributive Pedagogical Leadership framework was the analytic lens used in this examination. The main research questions guiding this study were: "How do teachers integrate STEM practices in ECE settings?" and, "How do preschool directors support STEM integration within ECE settings?" Findings indicated that pedagogical leadership demonstrated by teachers was a significant factor in how STEM was integrated daily in the preschool environment. The ability of a school to establish a strong school culture and identity amongst staff, parents and community members were also found to have a positive impact on the success of STEM integration in ECE. Overall, the main implications that emerged from this study were that STEM integration is best facilitated when learning activities are student-focused and when teachers, parents, school leaders, and community stakeholders collaborate to establish a culture of STEM integration. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: STEM Education, Preschool Education, Early Childhood Education, Interdisciplinary Approach, Administrator Role, Teaching Methods, Teacher Role, Preschool Teachers, Teacher Leadership, Leadership Responsibility, School Culture, Cooperative Planning
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A