"Accompanist" is the old term. "Collaborative pianist" is the new one. "Accompanist" implies a mostly subservient role, whereas "collaborative pianist" gestures toward a more equitable relationship between the soloist and pianist, no longer a mere follower. Degree programs that prepare collaborative piano…

Although the number of principal preparation programs (PPPs) has continued to grow, researchers have voiced concerns about the effectiveness of these licensing programs, particularly given the importance of a principal in student achievement and teacher retention. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the perceptions of graduates of the…

Prisoner education represents a deliberate attempt to disrupt the prison by empowering, rehabilitating, and educating prisoners. Studies have consistently shown that prisoner education reduces rates of recidivism, making prisons safer and enabling prisoners to reintegrate more easily into, and contribute to, their communities. This study draws…

Women's leadership development and empowerment have been called the most pressing issue of the 21st century, yet in 30 years of leadership development programs for women, the results have been negligible. Current research reflects the barriers to achievement, as opposed to the possibilities for success, which can only be determined by…

To better support and help new teachers to quickly become effective as experienced teachers, the Hawaii State Department of Education implemented a statewide induction and mentoring program. However, literature or reports regarding the effectiveness of Hawaii's induction and mentoring program are scarce. School administrators and mentors are…

This qualitative study examines the influence of mentoring programs in science and engineering on African American and Latinx men's scientific identity at a Northern California public research institution. Using inquiry derived from Harper's (2010) anti-deficit achievement framework and Rendon (1994)'s validation theory, this study sought to…

Professional development (PD) is seen by a broad cross-section of stakeholders--teachers, principals, policymakers--as essential for instructional improvement and student learning. And yet, despite deep investments of time and money in its design and implementation, the return on investment and subjective assessments about PD's effectiveness…

Researchers and policy makers alike have acknowledged the need for teachers to reflect on experience and to experience agency in and out of the classroom (Beauchamp, 2015; Chen et al., 2012; Elbaz-Lewisch, 2010). In order to contribute to discussions of innovative strategies of teacher development, this interpretive case study explored the…

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of accomplished teaching practitioners by tracing the development of the teaching expertise of participants using a narrative inquiry frame. This allowed time and space for participants to engage in making meaning of the memories of lived teaching experiences. This perspective took…

In this dissertation, the retrospective perspectives of five Ecuadoran English teachers regarding their experience in a seven-month professional development program in the US were investigated. Attention was given to how they believed the program impacted their identity, self-efficacy and how they perceived the program functioned as a community of…

Connecticut's System for Educator Evaluation and Development (SEED) has required the practice of classroom observations to ensure school leaders regularly monitor instruction in their schools and districts. However, literature suggests the use of non-evaluative, less formal classroom observations may also provide school leaders' with opportunities…

The purpose of this study was to explore faculty members' perceptions of community college Centers for Teaching and Learning (CTLs); whose main purpose is to promote, facilitate, and honor excellence in teaching and learning through the support of full-time and adjunct faculty, at all career stages. A generic qualitative study with a grounded…

This qualitative multiple case study was undertaken to answer the following question: How did Reading® (RR) teachers and former Reading Recovery teachers in a mid-sized rural school system in the southeastern United States describe the influences of their Reading Recovery training as it related to their current professional lives? Additional…

The employment of part-time faculty (PTF) continues to ensue debate among educators, policymakers, and state officials. Recent debate has focused on the impact of employment of PTF on student outcomes, but misses a critical element--the experiences of part-time faculty. This study explores community college PTF members' perceptions of their roles…

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an experiential program on the occupational identity, access, and career maturity of Black and Latino students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Data shows these students to be underrepresented in STEM fields. Student interest and access are noted in the literature to be amongst the…