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SADI Cover
No full textThis section consists of the cover material for the third issue of South Asian Dance Intersections
IMKAAN (Photo Essay): Sumedha Bhattacharyya and Hediyeh Azma
No full textThis photo essay explores the visceral and performative injunction of a dance-ban on the skin of a dancer
Promoting Reflective Leadership within Early Head Start: A Qualitative Study of a Professional Development Training for Administrators
Full text linkProfessional development training within early childhood education and care settings have focused mainly on teacher well-being and classroom quality. However, early childhood classrooms are embedded within multifaceted program contexts which contain complex sets of relationships and systems. Administrators and other professionals who support teachers in the classroom are essential to the organization and climate of the center, the classroom, and the experiences of teachers, children, and families. The current qualitative study investigates the experiences of five Early Head Start administrators who participated in a 15 hour attachment- and relationship-based professional development training. Themes that emerged from analyses underscore the importance of the administrator’s role in supporting teachers to integrate professional development content within their classrooms and highlight the powerful nature of participating in a training that is specifically designed and aimed at the complex role of the administrator. This study informs the field on the importance of providing professional development and support to early childhood education administrators and attending to all the complex and important relationships reflected within the early childhood setting
Using a Highly Rated Classroom Environment to Foster High-Quality Inclusive Practices
Full text linkWith the November, 2023 release of the Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs by the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, and the continuing work being done to further inclusive education, it is more important than ever to address the factors of quality early childhood programs that contribute to authentic inclusive opportunities for all students. Although there is research to support inclusion, and many classroom rating scales are validated and backed by research, there is little crossover to address how these factors, together, work to benefit a quality inclusive education for all children. In this dialog from the field article, we address the resources available to easily use the elements of a high-quality early childhood classroom to foster belonging, access, participation, and supports for students with disabilities in Head Start classrooms
Using the Practice Based Coaching Model for Professional Development in Head Start Programs
Full text linkA mixed-methods descriptive single-case research design explored the effects of implementing the Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) model at a South Texas Early Head Start Center. Three bilingual coaches used the Practiced-Based Coaching model to provide professional development on emergent biliteracy instruction for three bilingual teachers of 2- to 3-year-olds. Coaches and teachers used reflexive journals, focus groups, pre- and post-observation checklists, and surveys to share their views and experiences with the Practice-Based Coaching model. Results showed the Practice Based Coaching model is effective teacher and coach training. The model’s ripple effect fostered a coach-teacher collaboration via social learning, boosting teachers’ emergent biliteracy skills and inclusive practices. Teachers changed their practices and performance because of this knowledge, leading to more engaged students. This research suggests that teacher educators employ Practice-Based Coaching in professional development to cultivate social learning and expand teachers’ knowledge and skills in inclusive emergent biliteracy
PAWS- Professional Advancement and Wellness Support: A Multi-Tiered System of Support for Teacher Candidates
No full textTrack: Educational and Faculty Development
Developing resilience and self-efficacy can help buffer the stress of the teaching profession and decrease perceptions of exhaustion in teachers and Teacher Candidates (TC’s) (Fu & Zhang, 2024). Despite this, most educator preparation programs (EPPs) do not embed resilience and self-efficacy training and support throughout coursework and clinical experiences, opting instead for standalone experiences that are insufficient to build TCs’ resilience and self-efficacy (Ansley & Wander, 2021, Gist, 2022). In this presentation, we will share an innovative system to support teacher candidates in the NCSU College of Education entitled Professional Advancement and Wellness Support (PAWS). PAWS provides multi-layered support to promote the well-being of every TC in the College of Education. We will share the process of innovation, initial implementation, and preliminary evaluation
Adaptive Learning Platform for Engineering Dynamics
Full text linkTrack: Student Success & Wellness
Engineering Dynamics is a foundational junior‑level mechanical engineering course that focuses on the mathematical modeling and dynamic analysis of a broad spectrum of systems—from translational and rotational mechanics to thermal processes, multi‑degree‑of‑freedom mechanisms, and electromechanical and electrical subsystems—using differential equations, Laplace transforms, and transfer functions. To address both the rigor of this mathematical content and the diversity of student preparedness, we developed an adaptive learning framework with the Realizeit platform and seamlessly integrated it into UNC Charlotte’s Canvas environment. Key concepts in Dynamics 2 were mapped into a hierarchical prerequisite network of modules and nodes, each containing instructional materials, randomized practice problems, and auto‑graded assessments, including MATLAB Grader for coding tasks. Standalone exam modules provided secure, timed evaluations of mastery. Realizeit’s analytics dashboard enabled real‑time monitoring of student progress and classification of learners as high achievers, struggling students, or inconsistent performers. Based on these insights, we deployed targeted interventions—including personalized messages, supplemental videos, and concise lecture notes—which students reported made them feel more confident and supported. Preliminary outcomes indicate increased engagement, higher assignment completion rates, deeper conceptual mastery, and an overall positive learning experience. Challenges included reduced in‑class attendance and the resource demands of content development. Future directions involve refining intervention strategies, incentivizing attendance with challenge problems, and extending the adaptive framework to other STEM courses. This work demonstrates a scalable approach for integrating adaptive learning technologies to personalize instruction and enhance student success in mathematically intensive engineering curricula
An Investigation of Teacher Stress, Life Satisfaction, and Health Behavior Locus of Control Among Head Start Teachers : HS Teacher Stress, Life Satisfaction, Health Locus of Control and Health Behavior
No full textTeacher well-being plays a crucial role in creating effective learning environments for young children. The present study examines the relationship between health locus of control (HLOC), teacher stress, and life satisfaction among Head Start (HS) teachers. Results suggest that teachers with a high Internal HLOC report lower overall stress levels and greater satisfaction compared to those with a low Internal HLOC. In addition, having a high Internal HLOC was also associated with greater overall life satisfaction. We also investigated how health behaviors (e.g., a commitment to healthy eating, exercise) affected stress and life satisfaction. We found that a “health-conscious orientation” was related to lower stress levels and higher life satisfaction. Understanding the dynamics of locus of control, stress, life satisfaction, and teacher health behaviors provides valuable insights for developing comprehensive interventions that benefit the teachers and the children they serve
Teacher Education Assessment Systems: State-Wide Changes Over Ten Years
Full text linkAssessment could not be done without an organized infrastructure of personnel and software. This study examined this infrastructure in educator preparation programs (EPPs) across one state in the southeast United States. The results are compared to a similar survey conducted in the same state ten years ago to identify changes over time. Several findings emerged. Personnel leading assessment efforts in EPPs have assessment as only one of several other job duties they perform. A variety of assessment management systems (AMSs) are used across institutions, with most in use for over a decade. EPPs tend to use their AMS to collect student artifacts and enable the evaluations of those artifacts, then export this data to other software for analysis and reporting. The primary need in assessment systems is (and has been for some time) additional personnel resources. Implications of these for both EPPs and AMS vendors are discussed
Bringing Cultural Heritage to Campus through Innovative Technical Platforms and Physical Spaces
Full text linkTrack: Innovative Technologies and Learning Spaces
This presentation introduces a collaboration between the College of Education, Digital Education and Learning Technology Applications department (DELTA), and the University Libraries at NC State. Initiated by faculty to convey the story of segregation-era Rosenwald Schools for students and the university community, DELTA sponsored an internal grant to develop a Matterport-based virtual tour of a local Rosenwald School with embedded interviews and documents (go.ncsu.edu/russell.school). Drawing on 360 images and video from this initial project, the University Libraries sponsored two related physical exhibits in their Cyma Rubin Visualization Gallery supporting 360 immersion with music and sound effects and in their iPearl Innovation Studio supporting user browsing through documentary material. Our presentation will feature examples of the three exhibits illustrating their unique affordances as well as the Google Slides templates provided by DELTA and university libraries to help faculty and students develop exhibits