SPARK Bethel University
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Legacy, Remembrance & Making
Remembering Carol Hansen - Bethel Librarian 1971 - 2007
A Walk With Carol II - Painting by David L. Hansen
All Souls - Poem by Jennifer G. Stewart
Michelle Wingard - Commentary on Arthttps://spark.bethel.edu/primetime-presentations/1012/thumbnail.jp
Investigating the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Burnout Among Special Education Teachers in Iowa
Emotional intelligence (EI) can play a critical role in the well-being of teachers and may significantly impact the risk of burnout. Teachers with higher EI are better equipped to manage stress, regulate their emotions, and navigate challenges of the classroom, with the intended result to reduce teachers’ emotional exhaustion. Conversely, teachers with lower EI may struggle to cope with the emotional demands of the job, leading them to burnout in the profession they spent years preparing for. Recognizing this connection helps educators understand the importance of supporting teachers in developing EI skills, which could enhance their resilience and overall job satisfaction. Additionally, states, specifically Iowa, need to prioritize the well-being of teachers by consistently collecting and analyzing data to improve the educational system. Data-driven decision-making allows educators, administrators, and policymakers to identify areas of need, create professional development training, and support the retention of teachers. By regularly assessing teacher well-being, schools can implement targeted interventions to improve the learning environment, needs of teachers, and reduce burnout. Ultimately, fostering emotional intelligence in teachers and using data to inform decisions can lead to a more supportive and effective educational system for both educators and students. These findings emerged from the results of the study: All four emotional intelligence factors (Self-Emotion Appraisal, Regulation of Emotion, Use of Emotions, Others Emotion Appraisal) had some effect on the three burnout factors, but Emotional Appraisal was the only subscale that significantly predicted Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization across three multivariate regressions. The inability to understand the emotions of self and others could lead to exhaustion of oneself as individuals work to understand and respond to emotions
Organizational Factors and Teachers\u27 Burnout and Attrition
This study investigates factors influencing teacher retention and attrition, emphasizing the roles of demographic characteristics, salary, salary satisfaction, burnout, and working conditions. Utilizing data from the 2020–2021 National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS), which included approximately 76,000 teachers across 9,000 public schools, the research applies logistic regression to identify significant relationships between these variables. The findings reveal that salary satisfaction, irrespective of actual salary levels, significantly enhances teacher retention. High job satisfaction and support from administrators and parents further contribute to lower attrition rates, while overwhelming job demands and insufficient support are closely associated with burnout and increased departures. Drawing on Leiter and Maslach’s organizational factors framework (workload, control, reward, community, fairness, and values) the study identifies high-risk groups based on age, gender, and racial demographics. It highlights specific interventions, such as workload reduction, enhanced support systems, and fostering a culture of recognition, as crucial strategies for stabilizing the teaching workforce. These findings underscore the critical link between teacher retention, organizational health, and student outcomes, offering actionable insights for educational leaders aiming to strengthen school success
Inhibitory Effects of Copaiba Essential Oil on the Inflammatory Response of RAW 264.7 Cells Treated with IFN-ɣ or LPS
Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants that are used to help reduce inflammation. Copaiba is an essential oil that is harvested from a tree in the Amazon. Copaiba has been used by native Amazonian tribes to treat inflammation and pathogenic diseases. Chronic inflammation can be connected to diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease (Campos-Cararo et al. 2023). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a component of bacterial cell walls that is recognized by macrophages and induces the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Huang and Kraus 2016). Interferon gamma (IFN-ɣ) is a proinflammatory cytokine that induces macrophage antimicrobial activity and NO production (Kopitar-Jerala 2017)
The Psychology of Fandom
This study looked at and compared the differing fandom levels between those who participated in fantasy sports in the past 12 months and those who have not. Previous research has led us to believe that those who participate in fantasy sports will score higher in a wide variety of categories. Some of these categories are: enjoyment, entertainment, passing time, social interaction, and surveillance motivations when compared to traditional fans
Human Gross Anatomy Laboratory Teaching Assistant
Over the summer I worked for Bethel University’s Physician Assistant program helping out as a class and laboratory teaching assistant for their human gross anatomy and cadaver lab. My main jobs included basic upkeep and sanitation of the lab and running the class laboratory period. Daily I guided students in their dissection procedures and techniques. Additionally, I helped convey important anatomical knowledge that worked to bridge the gap between lecture material and real-life experience. Outside of lab time myself with the assistance of the other teaching assistants were responsible for the creation and set up of weekly laboratory quizzes and three unit exams. After grading we individually held quiz/exam reviews with each student to ensure they understood their mistakes. This also offered them a time to ask further questions and to further their learning. Additional tasks included sweeping and mopping the lab, regular cleaning of the tables, and maintenance of the cadavers themselves. A practice I tried to instill into every day of my internship was the incorporation of my faith. A cadaver lab experience can be radically unnerving but when coupled with faith and awe of our creator it can be a wonderful learning experience both spiritually and educationally
The Effect of Hydration Status on Reaction Time and Recall Tests in College-aged Individuals
In a footrace, a fraction of a second can alter the outcome. Dehydration upsets the resting membrane potential (RMP) within the cellular environment which may lead to a delay in the conduction of action potentials. Previous research has shown impaired physical performance in the setting of dehydration. Further investigation is needed to assess whether cognitive performance is impacted similarly. The purpose of this study is to investigate how hydration status, as determined by urine specific gravity (USG), affects performance in reaction time and recall tests. Forty university students were recruited and attended a morning and afternoon appointment scheduled three-14 days apart. Random assignment was used to determine which appointment the participant attended first. Participants were given suggested fluid intake parameters prior to each appointment. Tests completed during appointments included USG, total body water, Sport Concussion Assessment Tool fifth edition (SCAT-5) screening and a simple and choice reaction time test. The NCAA defines a USG of \u3e1.020 as dehydrated; this criterion was used to inform the present study. In the morning, participants had a mean USG \u3e1.020 (1.029 ± 0.002) and were considered the dehydrated group. In the afternoon, participants had a mean USG \u3c1.020 (1.018 ± 0.008) and were considered the hydrated group. A dependent T-test and Pearson\u27s correlation test were conducted on SPSS V28 for data analysis. Dehydration was found to have significantly slowed CRT but did not slow SRT. Delays in action potentials may negatively impact physical activity performance
The Effects Poverty Has on Literacy
This literature review examines the effects poverty has on early literacy acquisition and reading progress through middle school years. Poverty and the environment it creates are complex issues that affect the growth and development of a young child. Children living in poverty have lower reading scores than their affluent peers. Interventions to raise these scores have been proven successful to some degree, but the available resources have proven to be ineffective. The need is greater than what schools are able to support. Special education is available for students with learning disabilities. Unfortunately, students living in high poverty schools are often identified later and receive lower quality services than students attending more affluent schools. The literature reviewed for this thesis looks deeper into poverty and how literacy is affected
Literacy and the English Language Learner: How the Science of Reading Informs Best Literacy Practices for English Language Learners
This thesis explores how the science of reading (the body of research that supports evidence-based practices around literacy development) informs educators about the most effective practices for the development of proficient literacy skills in ELL students. This review begins by examining the theoretical framework underpinning much of the current literacy research, literature, and practice. All major areas of reading development are covered, including comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, and foundational skills (phonology, decoding, morphology). Through an extensive literature review, this thesis uncovers the complex factors that impact ELL students’ literacy development, including their level of proficiency in their first language, predictors of reading comprehension success, and the role of vocabulary and oral language skills. Additionally, the role of teacher training, professional development, and use of instructional models is examined. By understanding the nuances, intricacies, and even limitations of this research, educators are able to make informed decisions about instructional strategies and models, as well as curriculum choices, that support the unique needs of ELL students as they develop proficient literacy skills in their second language
The Barnum Effect and Acceptance of Personality Test Results
A natural tendency of humans is to categorize things, including personality. Personality tests and types seem to be scarily accurate at times, but why? This study examines the Barnum Effect, a phenomenon in which individuals are overly accepting of vague, general personality statements, even if they are not specific to any one individual. College students were asked to take a shortened version of the Big Five Inventory analysis, and then either given results that were consistent with the test, or results that were the same for everyone in that condition-- vague and nonspecific