Pennsylvania's implementation of the Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education (CR-SE) Program Framework Guidelines aimed at eliminating the barriers which prohibit student achievement. These competencies are required to be a part of the preservice teacher training as well as induction programs and continued professional development for…

This dissertation examines the transformative potential of reflective practice in student assessment and feedback, while also developing tools to gain a nuanced understanding of teacher feedback dispositions and practices. It outlines the development and refinement of three novel tools: the Reflective Classroom Assessment Protocol (ReCAP), the…

Many U.S. higher education institutions invest significantly in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ)-oriented professional development (PD) to help faculty develop knowledge and skills for serving diverse student populations. However, evidence is mixed regarding the effectiveness of DEIJ PD in helping institutions make progress on…

One of the most significant barriers to changing instructional practices is teachers' mindsets and beliefs about teaching and learning mathematics. This study identifies a promising new type of video club professional development that supports teachers in examining their instructional practices and mindsets. This form of professional learning is…

Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the culture of higher education has adjusted to meet growing enrollment numbers in online courses. To prepare faculty for successful implementation of online learning, faculty training and developments are more important now than ever. Despite opportunities for development and training to prepare…

This study draws upon critical bifocality (Chen & Horn, 2022) and intersectional frameworks (Collins, 2019; Crenshaw, 1989) to detail critical consciousness development over time in justice-oriented elementary mathematics educators. Specifically, a Critical Participatory Inquiry (CPI) approach facilitated collective theorizing amongst myself…

The purpose of this study is to understand teacher perceptions of a self-directed professional learning model named Go Time. I examined the factors that influenced teacher learning and motivation to sustain learning in this model. This study contributes to the research on teacher professional development by examining a model that is self-directed…

Professional development (PD) plays a critical role in supporting teacher quality and retention, ultimately affecting student achievement. The pandemic has altered the traditional educational landscape for teachers, making effective PD essential. This qualitative study sought to explore an impact team model (ITM) of PD as an effective form of PD,…

This dissertation describes the experience of a group of international school teachers engaging in a cooperative inquiry exploring the influence of mindfulness-based social-emotional learning (MBSEL) practices on their personal and professional lives. The current reality for educators is one of systemic stress and burnout, with teachers working…

This dissertation explores the lived experience of short-term substitute teachers in K-8 public school settings, aiming to deconstruct common assumptions and identify areas for improvement in support systems. A case-selection variant of an explanatory sequential mixed methods design was utilized. In the first phase of the study, quantitative data…

Early-career educators' professional learning experiences are critical to the development of their professional identities and retention. Relationships with others, applicability to one's role and reflection are key to these individuals' success long-term. This qualitative study sought to explore the dynamics of retention as a result of…

The purpose of this study was: (1) to build embedded reflective practices with qualitative data in alignment with existing continuous improvement (CI) for equity processes; and (2) provide professional development (PD) to support educators in using qualitative data sharing processes with the expectation of collective teacher efficacy (CTE)…

Professional development (PD) is crucial for enhancing teachers' pedagogical skills and impacting student learning outcomes. Despite its importance, current PD approaches often fail to achieve desired changes in instructional practices. This educational design research (EDR) project advocated developing purposeful design principles for online PD…

This exploratory study, in which the participants portrayed a critical role, aimed to discover the perceptions of professional development in changing educator practice at the secondary level with middle school teachers in an urban school district. The data collection process included semi-structured interviews with nine secondary teachers via…

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to examine the thoughts and feelings of teachers when utilizing video-assisted micro-teaching to reflect on their practice. Research questions included how, and in what ways video-assisted micro-teaching helps teachers reflect on their teaching and in what ways video reflection…