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Get PDFSince at least the 1980s, significant scrutiny has focused on improving almost every aspect of the U.S. educational system. Central to many of these debates are teachers – how they\u27re recruited, how they\u27re trained, where they teach, and how long they persist in the profession. Drawing on longitudinal qualitative and archival data collected as part of a broader research project conducted over the past decade, this poster considers as a case study Teach for America (TFA), a fast-track alternative certification program, and its work to end educational inequity by changing our teachers. This poster outlines not only TFA\u27s program, but also its theory of change, through an analysis of its development of the Twin Cities region. In considering TFA, this research engages with a range of contemporary debates, including those surrounding teacher training and distribution, as well as the impact changing teachers has on the educational system as a whole
The Benefits of Implementing Trauma Informed Teaching Strategies to Support Students in Special Education
Get PDFThe number of children experiencing traumatic events is occurring at an alarming rate. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), more than two-thirds of children in the United States are going to or have already experienced at least one traumatic event by the age of 16. Students with special education needs are also experiencing this trauma at high rates. These students that are experiencing different types of trauma are then carrying this trauma with them into schools and classrooms. Trauma affects the brain and also influences the way that students can learn and behave in the classroom. Teachers have a major impact on the success students will experience in the classroom. There is a great need for teachers to be informed about trauma and the impact it has on all students and their ability to learn and behave in the classroom. Trauma-Informed Teaching has shown to have a positive impact on students ability to function and learn in a classroom setting. This thesis will focus on Trauma-Informed Teaching and the impact it has specifically on students with special education needs in a classroom and school setting
Technology as a Tool to Address Educational Inequities: Practices Implemented During the COVID-19 Pandemic That Have Been Sustained
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a dramatic shift to online learning for K-12 public schools, requiring school districts to address inequities that surfaced in the remote learning model. This paper includes the findings of the second study of a multi-year research project exploring the intersection of technology and educational inequities through the pandemic. As the pandemic waned, practitioners evaluated which practices developed during remote learning should be sustained. Five Minnesota technology directors participated in a focus group to discuss how inequities are being addressed in their schools post-pandemic. Technology directors explained that the pandemic was an opportunity to reimagine schools for the success of all students through an infrastructure that includes actions relative to three domains: effective instruction, school-home partnerships, and law and policy. Further research is recommended, such as broadening the geographical location of participants outside of Minnesota, expanding participants beyond the role of technology director (i.e., students, teachers, parents), and analyzing student enrollment in K-12 online schools through a longitudinal study
Reasons Clinical Education Directors Intend to Leave Their Jobs
Get PDFObjectives
The goals of this study were to characterize clinical coordinators compared to other Physician Assistant (PA) faculty, and investigate factors associated with intent to leave their position, institution, and academia in the U.S.
Methods
This was a secondary analysis of data obtained from the 2019 Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Faculty and Directors Survey. We examined bivariate associations with faculty role and conducted multiple logistic regression to identify predictors of intent to leave among clinical directors.
Results
Clinical directors indicated an intention to leave their position more often than other faculty. Factors influencing intent to leave were a lack of satisfaction with professional development and moderate to high levels of burnout. Clinical directors with severe burnout had 27x the odds of intending to leave academia.
Conclusions
Our results suggest why clinical directors intend to leave and underscore the need for professional development opportunities and faculty mentoring. Faculty-centered work arrangements are needed to reduce burnout among clinical directors
Mental Health and How it Affects Academic Performance in Special Education Students
Get PDFMental health is an important topic about which many people have heard or learned about. It affects all people in various ways and can especially affect careers, schooling and social lives. Because of this, it is imperative to understand how mental health correlates with students and their academic performance. This literature review with application thesis reviews many aspects of mental health and school performance through the exploration of scholarly articles. First, it explores what mental health is and all it entails. It then moves on to assess school performance and what can affect it. Lastly, the review correlates the two and how significantly mental health can affect school performance. The application thesis adventures through what a possible mental health screening could look like and tiered interventions to support mental health with students who may need extra support
Shared Leadership as a Tool for Leadership Development in Multicultural Congregations
Get PDFThis project studied shared leadership in multicultural congregations to determine if it serves as a tool for leadership development. There is limited empirical data on shared leadership in multicultural congregations and even less on the use of shared leadership as a tool for leadership development in multicultural churches. A multiple case study was conducted involving three multicultural churches in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Twenty-two leaders, from the three churches, were interviewed to assess the presence and practice of shared leadership within the congregations. Four themes emerged from the interview data: shared leadership lightens the load for the primary leaders, everyone has a voice when shared leadership is present, shared leadership brings about mutual accountability among the team members, and humility is necessary for the practice of shared leadership. A survey was administered to 138 members from the three congregations. The survey focused on the four characteristics of shared leadership found in the biblical literature that form the foundation for the proposed model of shared leadership. The survey data supported the researcher’s assertion that biblically-based shared leadership is distributed, egalitarian, inclusive, and participatory. Field observations were made by attending worship at the two congregations where the researcher is not the pastor. The field observations revealed the presence of shared leadership during the worship services at each congregation. Further support that shared leadership that is biblical is distributed, egalitarian, inclusive, and participatory was found. The research resulted in the development of definitions of shared biblically-based shared leadership and leadership development. The development of a proposed shared leadership model that develops leaders who produce new leaders. The proposed model has four components: an established leadership team, congregational engagement, intentional relational discipleship, and structured leadership development. The researcher contends that the proposed model has the potential to develop leaders who produce new leaders in multicultural congregations
The Impact of Online and Hybrid Ministry on Small Traditional Churches
Get PDFThe present study addressed the lack of insight regarding the impact of technology on the small church. The mixed method research for this project took a case study approach that also included the analysis of the biblical and theological foundation and the pertinent literary material regarding technologies’ impact on the small church. Online and in-person surveys were conducted as part of the study, and relevant information about independent church structures was gathered from church sources; personal interviews were conducted; observations were made; a denominational document review was conducted; and online surveys were administered to those who were not members of a church. It was followed by field research, analysis, and data evaluation. The research includes the voices of the leader, congregants, and non-church members’ views of technology’s impact on the small church. The impact of the technology study provides the groundwork to establish insight into strategies for the small church in this regard. This project identified the definite impact technology has had on the preference for worship styles in the church. It also reveals where the church has suffered during and after the pandemic. Lastly, it reveals what non-church members are looking for in regard to a church home
Forgotten Grievers: Perspectives on Childhood Grief in the Baptist Church in Kenya
Get PDFThis project was aimed at developing a ministry care model for grieving children for the Baptist church in Nairobi, Kenya. Three Baptist churches with an active children’s ministry were identified. A study of the spiritual support available to the broken-hearted and the biblical view of children provided this project\u27s biblical and theological foundation. Special attention was given to Psalm 23, John 10:1-21 and Luke 7: 11-17. The researcher discovered that children grievers can receive spiritual comfort, care, and community support to facilitate effective coping and grief resolution. The researcher then reviewed the literature on theories of child grief and bereavement, spiritual coping for grieving children, and the African conception of death and children to draw insights into how grieving children cope with loss. These three streams of literature converged and became the basis on which the researcher developed the research instruments. Three churches and three categories of participants participated in this study. The adult grievers and the parents whose children had experienced loss in childhood received the survey questionnaires through email. Then the researcher conducted virtual interviews with the church ministers and the adult grievers at their convenience. The data were coded and analyzed to determine trends, themes, and patterns. The following key findings for the development of a spiritual care model for grieving children were discovered. The church holds a critical role in the support of grieving children. There is a need for children’s workers, the congregation, and the community to be empowered with knowledge related to childhood grief to effectively support grieving children. Empowering children with information about loss and grief is critical in preparing them to better receive and cope with a loss if and when it happens. Short and long-term support is necessary for effective support of grieving children
Student-Athletes’ Resilience at Religious and Secular Higher Education Institutions
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to examine whether there was a statistically significant (p \u3c 0.05) difference in student-athletes’ resilience by whether they attended religious or secular higher education institutions. The study utilized data from the 2018 Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership (MSL) survey, which was completed by 8,163 student-athletes at 70 different institutions. The researcher used a confirmatory factor analysis to create the resilience and pre-college factors and an ordinary least squares regression to examine whether there are differences in students’ resilience controlling for pre-college demographics and other collegiate variables. The results of the regression analysis suggested that student-athletes who attended religious institutions have significantly (p \u3c 0.05) lower resilience compared to student-athletes who attended secular institutions. A discussion, recommendations for practice, and recommendations for research are included
Use of Best Practices in Exam Item Creation, Analysis, and Revision: Nursing Faculty’s Knowledge, Use, and Implementation Barriers and Facilitators
Get PDFThe ultimate goal of nursing education is to prepare graduates to provide excellent, safe patient care. The implementation of exam item best practices can significantly contribute to this process. This study examined nursing faculty’s use of best practices for exam item creation, analysis, and revision and best practice barriers and facilitators. Through a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive correlational research study, the research demonstrated that faculty inconsistently use exam item best practices. Faculty research participants identified ways to enhance the use of best practices and suggestions to nursing leadership were developed based on the data. With faculty development and an outlined support system in place, faculty will be more equipped to implement exam item best practices and contribute to the goal of well-prepared graduates