Blended learning (BL), also known as hybrid or flipped classroom learning, is a method that involves both traditional face-to-face teaching and online media instruction. The problem experienced in South Texas school districts (STSD), despite research showing evidence of the BL model's benefits, is that some teachers are struggling to implement BL…

This study aimed to explore possible correlations between elementary inservice teachers' (n=138) perceptions of science teaching constraints and affordances as well as their demographic information and science teaching self-efficacy and beliefs through the use of inferential statistics (Field, 2018; Riggs & Enochs, 1990). It also sought to…

Professional development is a concept with which all educators are familiar. The research for this dissertation, focusing on suburban high school teachers in Northeast Ohio, aims to show that the professional development needs of teachers vary throughout their educational careers. Additionally, this dissertation aims to help school districts…

The growing population of students with disabilities (SWD) in the inclusive classroom has led to educators feeling overwhelmed with limited knowledge of support for these students. This has caused inequitable access to curriculum and inclusion for SWDs. Districts provide professional development (PD) as a means of educating and preparing teachers.…

Teachers need access to quality professional development (PD) to navigate the complexities of the teaching profession. An important aspect of this PD is that it is differentiated to meet the needs of teacher-learners with varying ability levels, teaching experiences, content knowledge, and teaching contexts. Stakeholders need access to…

As the cornerstones of societies, teachers play crucial roles in which society can build and shape an inclusive, equitable, and quality education system (Lawrie, 2013a). Stemming from the research that has established strong connections between teacher quality and student success (Darling-Hammond, 2000; Guskey & Sparks, 2004), also highlighted…

The Virtual Maker Workshop Series was designed to explore how participants' conceptions of learning might change through the course of a professional development experience in a makerspace. Grounded in research on teacher professional development and the use of makerspaces in education, the 15-hour workshop series engaged five multidisciplinary…

STEM education and integrative STEM education are increasingly popular in the K-12 domain. However, there is not a consensus on their definitions, nor a sufficient amount of instructional support to help teachers that are unfamiliar with these learning approaches. This study examined how an intentionally designed experiential professional…

Despite the efforts of traditional and alternative teacher education programs (i.e. pre-service teacher education) in the United States, teachers frequently report feeling unprepared by the time they begin teaching full time in the classroom. Teachers with low levels of self-efficacy are correlated with lower job satisfaction, higher levels of…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perspectives of novice New York City public school principals to understand if their individualized, in-service novice principal training, either mentoring or coaching, during Year One of their principalships impacted their sense of self-efficacy and influenced their decision to continue or…

The purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of virtual mentoring and coaching (VMC) on in-service teachers' professional growth and perception through participation in Project ETELL (Empowering Teachers of English Language Learners, Grant Award No. T365Z160229). In Chapter II, I conducted a systematic review to better understand…

This research project employs a case study design to examine how K-6 non-computer science (CS) trained teachers can be effectively prepared to teach CS, metaphorically unmasking hidden superheroes in the education system. Grounded in the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, the study also integrates Bandura's Theory of…

The purpose of this study was to explore teachers' reactions to and perceptions of an online professional learning (PL) experience within a microcredentialing program. Using a qualitative multiple case study design with cross case analysis, this study explored the experiences of five kindergarten through fourth grade (K-4) literacy teachers in a…

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent that contingent faculty from Michigan's 15 public universities engage with on and off-campus professional development (PD) to improve their teaching practice. Addressing a spectrum of research questions, this study utilized an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative…

School systems have long faced teacher shortages, with high turnover rates exacerbating the shortage, particularly in Career and Technical Education (CTE). Teachers who enter CTE through alternative licensure (AL) face unique obstacles transitioning from industry to teaching. This study addressed the retention challenge among AL CTE teachers by…