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Who Can Teach? Making the Case for Adult Learners as Adult Education Teachers
Get PDFThis paper explores the rationale for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education policy requirement of a bachelor’s degree as the minimum qualification for instructors in state-funded adult education programs and how this requirement obstructs equitable access to teaching careers in adult education. The bachelor’s degree policy is analyzed with respect to three complimentary theories: democratic education, equality of intelligence, and empowerment. Analysis is supported with mixed-methods research consisting of a literature review with a focus on the benefits of student leadership; review of pertinent adult education policy; a survey of staffing challenges in Massachusetts adult education programs; a comparison of state policies regarding credential requirements for adult education instructors; and an interview with the MA Director of Adult Education. This research makes the case for training and hiring graduates from adult education programs to provide critical professional opportunity for adult learners, diversify the teaching workforce, and address the critical teacher shortage. Meaningful teaching opportunities can be crafted at levels appropriate to adult learner skills and experience
Using Green Chemistry to Build Community: How Transformational Learning Impacts the Building of a Community of Practice
Get PDFGreen Chemistry education is a widening field, seeking to include educators at all levels collaboratively in the process of transforming outdated chemistry practices. Qualitative research methods were used to interview three key collaborator groups at Beyond Benign, a green chemistry education organization, who are considered part of the Green Chemistry Community of Practice (GCCoP). This was done to develop a strategic plan to 1) explore how the Beyond Benign team and K-12 teachers see themselves as part of one GCCoP; 2) to ascertain how to bring the K-12 program into alignment with the organization’s evolving mission; and 3) to discover approaches for improving K-12 and Higher Ed collaboration and engagement, creating new possibilities for K-12, and bringing the two communities back into one evolving GCCoP. What was discovered through interviews with the Beyond Benign team, K-12 teachers, and higher ed faculty was that there were several challenges, but many possibilities for collaboration. Transformational learning that generates engagement, agency, and a desire for change was a theme that educators at all levels, from elementary through grad school, described as important to learning and building community around green chemistry to generate changes in the wider world, and draw more people into GCCoP
Thomas Merton: The Connection Between Contemplation and Activism
Get PDFThomas Merton believed that there was a necessary connection between our inner lives and our outer presence in the world. As a cloistered monk, he became known as a major voice for contemplation, perhaps his greatest gift to spirituality. But in the 1960’s as national and international tensions were becoming increasingly volatile, Thomas Merton began some of his most challenging writing, boldly speaking out against war and violence. This paper will examine his path from cloistered monk to political activist as visible in his own spiritual journey and throughout his writings. It will also ask what lessons his life and teachings have for us today as we seek to become peacemakers and follow our unique vocation in the world. It was Merton’s foundational belief that it is essential to cultivate the truth of contemplation -- that we are loved -- and face our own inner demons before engaging in activism. For Merton, the clarity and freedoms springing from an ongoing contemplative life are foundational to our discernment and continuing call to become activists for justice and peace
What Does Involvement Look Like for Cape Verdean Families in Boston: The Opportunities and Challenges of Being an Engaged Parent in Boston Public Schools
Get PDFThis community needs assessment seeks to understand the challenges and opportunities that might be serving as a barrier to Cape Verdean families’ engagement in Boston Public Schools. By looking at secondary sources such as the census, Boston Public Schools reports, and other publications, and interviewing professionals based on five areas of focus, the challenges and opportunities for engagement were explored. The research focused on mutual respect between families and schools, families’ confidence and capability to engage, trust between families and teachers, schools as community centers, and a sense of belonging. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2020, Massachusetts alone is home to about 70,040 Cape Verdean American people, making it the state with the largest number of Cape Verdean people in the U.S. (Silva, 2023). The growing population’s needs should be met, and their voices heard. The research found that Cape Verdean families have varying levels of technological savviness, and more resources should be allocated to help with computer literacy. Cape Verdean families were found to be ranked amongst the lowest for engagement compared to other ethnic groups. Barriers including language, work hours, and cultural backgrounds are important factors in addressing the lack of engagement. Collaboration between Boston Public Schools and community-based organizations is pivotal in engaging Cape Verdean families in Boston as well as developing programming that addresses computer literacy, cultural competency, and language accessibility
Multiscale computational modeling techniques in study and design of 2D materials: recent advances, challenges, and opportunities
No full textLeadership & Learning: A Qualitative Community Service Policy Analysis for Student Athletes in College
Get PDFUniversity athletic departments often have mission statements that align with the missions of the college they are associated with. In these statements, community service is often prominent in the goals of collegiate athletics and the schools themselves. This capstone examines the existing community service policies for student-athletes at schools in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) to identify strengths and patterns for future schools to establish or modify their own policies. The policy analysis utilized qualitative methods to grade individual aspects of the legislation, rooted in Critical Service Learning, Student Involvement Theory, and Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation. While all university policies selected for the study had mentions of service in their mission and had digital publications of their student-athletes conducting community service, the retrieved policies generally did not establish requirements for community service nor define it, leaving interpretation for what is acceptable. Recommendations for university policies regarding community service and student-athletes moving forward should have clear outlines or examples of service events to establish best practice when it comes to creating positive outcomes for all parties involved
What Do School Counselors Actually Do?
Get PDFThis study focuses on school counselor perceptions on stakeholder understanding of their jobs, how they are evaluated, and who supervises them. The data for the study was collected through a statewide survey of the field administered by the Massachusetts School Counselors Association (MASCA) in 2023. Four questions within the survey pertaining to stakeholders, evaluation, and supervision were analyzed to gain further insight into the state of the counseling profession. Findings suggest that the current models for evaluation and supervision do not reflect best practice; and counseling staff feel that some community stakeholders do not understand their job.https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/rcac_2024_posters/1001/thumbnail.jp
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Industry and Strategic Analysis
Get PDFUlta Beauty, Inc. stands as a leading beauty retail store operating in the United States and has established itself at the top of the beauty industry with its strong financial results in recent years. In the latest year, the company reported 11.32 billion in revenue, showing an impressive performance in the industry, capturing a significant market share. In Ulta’s 1,411 stores and counting, they employ over 56,000 employees. Ulta consistently shows growth while focusing exclusively on the United States Market
