Colleges and universities are increasingly under pressure to prepare students for professional success after graduation, and, at the same time, are facing calls to enhance student civic learning and to contribute to their local communities. High-impact practices have been embraced as pedagogical approaches to address these goals. In particular,…

This dissertation uses a multi-case study approach to investigate teachers' use of computer science (CS) tools and pedagogical approaches in the classroom following their participation in a computer science integration professional development (PD) program. Seven teacher participants took part in a weeklong PD program and received follow up…

The United States' Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) businesses must be innovative to remain competitive in today's global forum (Authenrieth et al., 2018; Autenrieth et al., 2018; Genareo et al., 2016; Watters & Diezmann, 2013). New business employees must enter the workplace knowing the practical application of a 21st…

This qualitative study was conducted to explore the lived experiences of college students with mental health disabilities when requesting and using accommodations. Using a phenomenological approach aided in understanding the meaning of the lived experiences by considering their feelings and emotions. Findings showed that there are barriers…

This dissertation aims to address frequent calls for partnerships between informal science learning spaces and formal K-12 science education (e.g. Bevan & Dillon, 2010; Hofstein & Rosenfeld, 1996; NRC, 2009; Stocklmayer et al., 2010) as well as how informal educators and organizations are or are not addressing issues of equity within these…

A century and more of educational research and writing suggests that experiential learning and field mentorship help students gain industry context, skills, and practical training. However, opportunities for mentorship are typically viewed as standalone events, taking place following curricular training or as a capstone to academic learning. Thus,…

Unlike the ineffective generic approach often used for teacher professional development, NASA STEM Educator Professional Development Collaborative (EPDC) Digital Badging offers access to a highly organized system of knowledge and personalized, online professional development (PD) through digital badging. This qualitative case study provided an…

This poetic inquiry sought to understand the tensions, perspectives and experiences of teachers as they work to create more inclusive mindsets and identities despite working in a system that allows for ability profiling and disability stigma in schools. This work fills a gap in the literature in that not much is known about the journeys teachers…

Professional Development Schools promote connections between schools and teacher education programs. These partnerships are thought to benefit teacher candidates, teachers, and teacher educators through promoting positive and collaborative relationships and bridging the efforts of schools and universities. In the school year 2016-2017, seven…

Purpose and Method of Study: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two approaches to professional development methodologies implemented in public schools. A quantitative, correlational research design was employed to determine whether the academic success in the core content areas of reading, writing, math and science could…

The effectiveness of the Instructional Partnership Network (IPN), a collaborative initiative that provides professional development to school principals, has not been previously measured. An investigation of the impact of this state initiative on teacher efficacy, teacher trust in colleagues and teacher trust in the principal was conducted. The…

Recent trends in teacher preparation have been toward a clinical model that provides teacher candidates with more authentic classroom experiences that are connected with methods courses. One type of clinical model that is on the rise is known as a professional development school (PDS). PDS structures are formal arrangements between P-12 schools…

Over thirty years ago, the document, "A Nation at Risk," put to the forefront concerns about the achievement of American students falling behind in comparison to international students. This led many to question the state of American education. In recent years, the focus and commentary have been placed on the preparedness of teachers.…

Forsyth Technical Community College (FTCC) face a shortage of funding to meet the demands of students, faculty, staff and businesses. Through this practitioner research, the utilization of the college's current customer relationship management (CRM) database advanced. By leveraging technology, the researcher assisted the college in meeting the…

In the United States American Indian, Hispanic, and African-American students are at-risk subgroups in public schools due to issues of inequity, which include the quality of teachers and the preparation of future teachers. Professional Development Schools offer a framework for the success of all students. The purpose of this qualitative case study…