Teachers play an important role in supporting their students across areas of functioning, including mental health and wellbeing. Because of their regular, direct connection to students, teachers have the opportunity to serve as liaisons between students and mental health support. Additionally, they also have the opportunity to address topics…

This mixed-methods study analyzes the perspectives of educators in middle school regarding the impact of cell phones in the middle school environment. Vygotsky's (1978) sociocultural theory of cognitive development along with opportunity theory (Cohen & Felson, 1979) provide insight regarding implications related to accessing personal devices…

Globally, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has significantly impacted special education teachers and educational institutions. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic in the spring of 2020 led to an almost complete closure of school buildings, triggering a significant disruption to K -12 education across the United States (Education Week, 2020). The quick…

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted students' educational experiences, raising concerns about their social and emotional development. This longitudinal quantitative study analyzed changes in student perceptions of social and emotional well-being using Panorama Education SEL survey data from Cohort 2023 12th graders at an urban intensive high school…

The United States has become increasingly aware of the prevalence of childhood trauma and adverse experiences which can have long-lasting negative consequences on health and school achievement. It is possible to recover from trauma with the right support and schools are ideally placed to support many children in the United States. One method…

This study examined the perspectives of school staff who have direct contact with foster youth across four school sites with high foster enrollment in one California district. This fills a research gap for studies involving elementary school aged foster youth, as well as for studies involving the perceptions of school staff. Using the lens of…

The challenges facing adolescents today are greater than ever. It is imperative that students have the social and emotional skills to help them succeed. Mindfulness helps support social, emotional, and academic learning as it assists children in becoming more self-aware and builds self-regulation. Mindfulness is about being present within yourself…

This dissertation aims to understand the contribution of schools to reducing bullying behaviors and, in turn, to examine the benefits for students of attending a school that effectively reduces bullying. In doing so, this dissertation contributes to the literature on bullying by (a) locating the school as a key environment in social-ecology of…

A critical teacher shortage continues to exist throughout the United States. Challenges with student behavior and classroom management are identified as a top reason for teacher attrition. Educational research has demonstrated that PreK-12 students who receive social-emotional-behavioral support through evidence-based classroom management (EBCM)…

Younger and older preschool-age children are commonly placed together in mixed age classrooms. However, both theory and empirical evidence conflict over whether mixed age classrooms are the best environment for developing children. A factor that may play a role in the is peer skill as children may benefit from being around more skilled peers. The…

Students with disabilities (SWD) at an urban high school in Midwestern United States experienced academic, social, and emotional problems. When SWD experience difficulties in high school, they may drop out and face potentially life-long problems. The purpose of this case study was to understand how a Response to Intervention (RTI) tutoring program…

There are many positive effects that family, school, and community partnerships (FSP) have on student achievement, behavior, and social-emotional development (Desforges & Abouchaar, 2003; Epstein, 1994, 2011; Graham, 2011; Henderson & Mapp, 2002; Jeynes, 2005, 2007; Ulugag, 2008). Due to the many benefits FSP have on student educational…

As the popularity of both clinic- and school-based mindfulness-based interventions (MBI's) has grown, high quality empirical support for the efficacy of these interventions has been limited. School-based MBI's are gaining popularity as components of strong social-emotional learning curricula, and they are typically delivered as part of a universal…

Using a mixed-methods approach, the researcher investigated the generalization of Positive Behavior Supports Skills (PBIS) within an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program, implemented with fidelity, as evidenced by statewide recognition for 10 years in a row, to the kindergarten setting in a Midwestern School District. Through…

This study examines the effects of an approach to professional development known as the Supporting Early Adolescent Learning and Social Success (SEALS) framework. The intervention was designed to support teachers in improving the academic, social, and behavioral adjustment of middle school students in diverse classrooms. Online core and…