Reading proficiency is a vital skill that holds implications for future student success. Teachers hold the key for opening the door to this reading success. However, changing teacher instructional behavior can prove challenging. Thankfully, the professional development method of microteaching incorporates effective adult learning components by…

Teachers often encounter challenges when integrating technology into a classroom that has a culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) student population. These challenges have existed as teachers are not adequately trained to integrate technology when working with culturally and linguistically diverse students. Additionally, challenges arise…

This dissertation is a qualitative inquiry that explores the faculty perspectives of institutional expectations at a university seeking to rise in research ranking. This study was initiated with the intent to synthesize the literature to understand the reasons why doctoral universities seek to increase their research ranking, as well as the…

A qualitative multiple-case design was used to answer two research questions regarding the perceptions of early childhood educators concerning the implementation of mindfulness practices and/or social emotional curricula and the impacts on positive social-emotional behaviors amongst early childhood students. The conceptual framework of this study…

In university-level composition courses, assignment prompts are fundamental in shaping students' understanding of major writing projects. Aiming to be instructive and descriptive while also clear and concise, instructors use a series of moves (Swales, 1990) and modals in writing assignment prompts to express requirements, suggestions, and…

School districts have an enormous number of resources available to them as they seek to grow student success and achievement. A review of the web-based educational technology resources a district is using, their effect, and the equitable distribution of these resources defines this problem of practice. This mixed-method approach addresses a…

For years, higher education institutions have sparingly utilized the services of contingent instructors. However, a new faculty majority, known as contingent instructors, are now teaching on these campuses. Their employment is contingent upon student enrollment, institutional budgets, and managerial discretion. Some consequences have emerged…

In the age of "Make America Great Again" and "Build that wall," there have been many voices contributing to the discussion of what it means to be American. The process for becoming a U.S. citizen provides an interesting checkpoint for exploring messages regarding Americanism. Building on previous scholarship on the U.S.…

The purpose of this study was to explore the social validity of the STEAM Trunk Math study- a virtual professional development intervention approach for early learning educators. The aim of the intervention was to increase the knowledge, skills, and comfort level regarding the use of math in early learning settings. A quasi-experimental…

Low achievement in literacy for children entering kindergarten exists despite district-sponsored professional development (PD) in literacy pedagogy for prekindergarten teachers. PD has been shown to be important in improving teachers' instruction, so low achievement of children is unexplained. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to…

The purpose of this study was to investigate preservice music educators' perceptions of collegiate large ensemble experiences. The researcher created and tested a survey designed to explore how preservice music educators perceived their large ensemble experiences may impact their pedagogy skills and musicianship skills. Local (n = 101) and…

This mixed methods exploratory sequential study investigated the principal's role in supporting a school's technology culture. In light of the 2019-2020 worldwide pandemic, schools around the world saw a significant increase put on technology tools to facilitate instruction virtually. As building leaders, the administrators led the transition to…

Problem: Limited research exists regarding the professional development program processes and components used to train instructors to equip students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to receive greater support and access to the benefits of a postsecondary educational experience. Purpose of the Study: The principal purpose of this…

The purpose of this study was to describe teachers' perceived self-efficacy and related experiences in implementing a state-mandated Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program during a global pandemic. Program implementation was initiated at the start of the 2020-2021 school year, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent extended…

Nontenure track (NTT) faculty make up 73% of faculty at universities and colleges across the United States and nearly 67% of the faculty workforce at Masters colleges and universities (Larris, 2018). There are myriad reasons for this growth, including financial pressures placed on universities and incentives to be more marketable and competitive…