Current literature often focuses primarily on students when thinking of avenues to increase their academic achievement and/or social and emotional well-being, rather than increasing teacher professional capacity to directly impact students by developing their own social and emotional well-being. Therefore, there is a need to explore adult social…

The present study hypothesized that specific demographic variables (e.g., experience, education, attendance of workshops/trainings) would influence elementary general education teachers' knowledge on suicidal risk factors, interventions, and application of knowledge. 165 participants (121 females, 44 males) recruited from a suburban school…

Increasing student diversity and the global emphasis on inclusive education necessitate a critical focus on teacher preparedness in implementing inclusive practices within classrooms. Teacher preparedness in inclusive practices is essential to ensure all students thrive in a truly inclusive educational environment. Universal Design for Learning…

This study explores the perceptions of teachers regarding the effectiveness of Response to Intervention (RTI[superscript 2]) and Teacher Support Team (TST; also known as Student Support team) frameworks in West Tennessee. The research investigates various facets such as teachers' familiarity with TST and RTI[superscript 2], adequacy of training,…

Based on reported success and retention rates, there is a need to improve education in 2-year colleges for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors. Instructors' assessment knowledge and self-efficacy have not been studied in 2-year or STEM higher education. The problem addressed in this study was that scholars do not know…

This study explores educators' perspectives on educational equity and the challenges in overcoming instructional barriers. Despite the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, an enduring achievement gap persists, particularly affecting Black students due to inadequate teacher preparation and culturally relevant knowledge. Through action…

This study examines how teacher leaders across the Central Valley support the implementation of the English Language Roadmap Policy (ELRP) utilizing a qualitative, multi-case study approach. Relying on semi-structured interviews and a series of project presentations, this study examines teacher leaders' perceptions and identifies the attributes of…

Despite legislation being consistently passed to support post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities, year after year since the completion of "The National Longitudinal Transition Studies," national employment statistics continually demonstrate that implementation of intentions is wanting. A large percentage --50-60%-- of…

Domain-specific vocabulary knowledge is an important precursor to overall knowledge acquisition, which is essential to reading and comprehending grade-level texts. There are a number of malleable factors within the classroom that can be shaped by teachers and policy makers, yet additional empirical evidence is needed to uncover and evaluate those…

The purpose of this dissertation was to produce two manuscripts and a conference paper reporting on analyses of data from a survey that investigated the knowledge, beliefs, and self-perceptions of 236 teachers of students who are blind or visually impaired (TSBVIs) with regard to literacy instruction. The first manuscript investigated the…

Collaboration is an essential skill for a special education teacher's (SETs) success in developing individualized education programs (IEPs) to ensure that students with disabilities have access to equal educational opportunities. Collaboration occurs when members of an inclusive learning community work together as equals to meet a student's…

A mainstream classroom teacher's knowledge in identifying and implementing student accommodations and special need services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students is crucial in meeting the academic needs of these student. Within recent years, more and more special needs students are being mainstreamed from special day classes into the general…

Digital badges promise greater transparency and granularity in documenting the professional learning and knowledge base of teachers compared to traditional credentials like certificates of attendance, resumes, and transcripts. Yet before they gain widespread acceptance, educational leaders must understand what they are, how to use them, and how to…

Literacy is a gateway to opportunity. In the United States of America, 79% of adults have adequate to proficient literacy skills that provide access to various career and life opportunities in society. However, 21% of Americans are illiterate. Upon further analysis of the literacy statistics in the United States, the data demonstrates there is a…

The ways teachers understand mathematics that is useful for teaching, known as mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT), has been a center of attention for the research and policy communities. A teacher's MKT has been shown to be a significant factor in predicting student outcomes and positively related to the quality of mathematics instructional…