The problem for this study is to determine those work experiences which are of value to prospective teachers of industrial arts. In making this study the following factors are of prime importance: (1) In what types of shops will the new teachers be expected to work? (2) What units are taught in each of the different types of shop? (3) What is the grade level of children to be taught in each type of shop? (4) Which types of work experience will be of value to a teacher in the various divisions of shop instruction?

This thesis describes the experience of a graduate speech student as an intern during the 1949-1950 school year at North Texas High School.

The purpose of this study is to make a survey of the Child Study Program as it has been carried on in Corpus Christi since 1944, and to determine if the work has been a definite help to the teachers participating in the program.

No description available.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between teacher effectiveness and agreement with the philosophy adopted by the Agricultural Education Division of the AVA. The study also investigated the relationship between teacher effectiveness and the strong beliefs about quality vocational agriculture programs held by teachers. The primary subjects for this study were agricultural teachers in Virginia identified by state supervisors of vocational agriculture and verified by selected teacher educators in agricultural education as the most and least effective agricultural teachers. A total of 40 teachers were identified as most effective and 33 were identified as least effective. In addition, the general population of 368 agricultural teachers in Virginia was used to investigate the relationship between selected demographic variables and agreement with philosophical concepts. Selected conclusions drawn from the findings were: 1. The philosophy adopted by the Agricultural Education Division, AVA does not contain the beliefs most likely to distinguish between the most and least effective teachers. 2. There are beliefs not included in the philosophy adopted by the profession that do seem to be related to teacher effectiveness. 3. The most effective teachers are more likely to express beliefs about the teacher being the key to effective programs while the least effective teachers are more likely to express beliefs about external factors being the key to effective programs. 4. Additional education is a better predictor of teacher effectiveness than either age, experience or agreement with any of the specific concepts adopted by the profession. Selected recommendations drawn from the findings and conclusions are: 1. Research is needed to determine what other beliefs are held by vocational agriculture teachers and how those beliefs are related to teacher effectiveness. 2. Research is needed to determine what factors other than beliefs are related to teacher effectiveness. 3. The philosophy of the profession should emphasize that effective agricultural programs depend on the teacher taking personal responsibility for and being committed to those programs. / Ed. D.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how elementary teacher preparation programs (TPPs) in Virginia are preparing undergraduate students to engage with families in developing family-school partnerships. Preservice teachers are completing their TPPs with little to no coursework or field experiences working with families (Epstein and Sheldon, 2023; Patte, 2011; Walker and Dotger, 2012; Zygmunt-Fillwalk, 2011). Previous research suggests beginning teachers are entering the field having had limited opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills, and practices for family engagement. This qualitative study involved one-on-one interviews with nine professors or program coordinators from the undergraduate elementary education teacher preparation program at seven public four-year institutions in Virginia. Interview questions sought the perceptions, coursework, and practices of family engagement that are used to prepare elementary teachers to communicate and establish a welcoming culture for families of their students. Interview data was analyzed through the Data Analysis Spiral process using descriptive coding and theming as primary coding methods. The outcomes of this qualitative study indicated that while professors value family engagement concepts such as school and community partnerships, communicating with families, and culturally responsive work, limited opportunities continue to exist for direct instruction and preservice teacher practice in partnering with families. Implications included suggestions for increased coursework in family engagement with direct instruction and hands-on opportunities for preservice teachers to engage with families, revisions to elementary education program plans of study, and the inclusion of required family engagement coursework for licensure. / Doctor of Education / Preservice teachers are completing their teacher preparation programs (TPPs) with little to no coursework or field experiences working with families. Previous research suggests beginning teachers are entering the field having had limited opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills, and practices for family engagement. The purpose of this study was to investigate how elementary TPPs in Virginia are preparing undergraduate students to engage with families in developing family-school partnerships. To identify program coordinator and professor perceptions and practices to prepare teachers to engage with families in family-school partnerships, a basic qualitative methodology was employed. Individual online interviews were conducted with nine program coordinators and professors from the undergraduate elementary TPP at seven public four-year institutions in Virginia. Interview data was analyzed through the Data Analysis Spiral process using descriptive coding and theming as primary coding methods. The outcomes of the study indicate that while professors value family engagement concepts such as school and community partnerships, communicating with families, and culturally responsive work, limited opportunities continue to exist for direct instruction and preservice teacher practice in partnering with families. Implications included suggestions for increased coursework in family engagement with direct instruction and hands-on opportunities for preservice teachers to engage with families, revisions to elementary education program plans of study, and the inclusion of required family engagement coursework for licensure.

Paraprofessionals have a wide range of responsibilities in the educational system to support students' academic, behavioral, and social needs. The law does not specifically define how paraprofessionals will receive training for these tasks, but many districts require teachers to fill this role. While some educators may receive adequate training, literature shows that the majority of preservice and in-service teachers feel unprepared to train, manage, and supervise paraprofessionals. In this exploratory study, grounded qualitative methods were used to analyze data from course materials and semi-structured interviews regarding faculty perspectives of current practices used in teacher preparation programs. Themes which emerged from the data included: (1) Informal or ad hoc training; (2) Recognition of the need to support conceptual awareness; and (3) Infrastructural issues. Participants in this study used their knowledge, background, and experiences to create meaningful and relevant activities with concepts that preservice teachers need to work with paraprofessionals. However, instruction tended to be informal or ad hoc due to a number of infrastructural issues and constraints surrounding current practices. The findings of the study were congruent with previous literature regarding course materials, activities, and types of training. Additionally, this study revealed some issues at the national, state, and local levels that have influenced the extent of information provided to preservice teachers regarding working with paraprofessionals.

This dissertation examines the concept of ableism, as defined by Ostiguy, Peters, and Shlasko, as a system that oppresses individuals with disabilities while privileging those without disabilities. The aim of this work is to aid educators and school personnel in recognizing, critiquing, and moving away from normative assumptions of compulsory able-bodiedness and able-mindedness inherent in education. Through the lens of critical crip theory, the dissertation proposes a framework that connects social justice education with the visual arts to challenge normative expectations and embrace (dis)abled ontologies, epistemologies, and perspectives. "Curricular Renovations: A Non-Guide for Educators on Empowering Difference in the Classroom" is a textbook designed for both preservice and current educators, providing insights on understanding, unlearning, and reconstructing disability and disability knowledge in educational settings. This framework offers strategies for creating inclusive environments that value diversity, thereby supporting both students and teachers in achieving success across various learning contexts.

The purpose of this study was to examine the intersection of preservice teachers' personal identities as queer individuals with their emerging professional identities as educators. Political and social environments contribute to a separation of these identities, which can further the marginalization of these individuals to the detriment of both their identities as people as well as their professional practice. Guided by a theoretical framework of figured worlds, interviews with students in teacher education programs that identify as queer explore the ways in which unique confluences of contextualizing factors play a role in the lived experiences of these individuals. The study additionally examined the nature of teacher education programs as experienced by these participants in order to discuss the ways in which these programs serve to challenge or reinforce the heteronormativity pervasive in educational spaces.

Professional development is a critical part of school improvement and enhancing teacher quality; yet there is limited literature about how principals design and lead effective professional development systems. The research activities in this qualitative single case study explored the leadership practices at one successful school implementing job-embedded professional development. A conceptual framework relating Hallinger's leadership for learning construct to professional development helped frame the research. Collected data included participant interviews, a focus group interview, observations, and relevant document analysis. These data were analyzed using a general inductive method to identify the prevailing leadership characteristics. The major themes that emerged during analysis were: (a) vision and goals, (b) high expectations, (c) structures and resources, (d) communication, (e) monitoring progress and providing recognition, (f) focused and ongoing professional development, (g) differentiated professional development, (h) trust and professionalism, (i) culture of learning and growth, (j) building capacity, and (k) collaboration. These themes aligned well with the initial conceptual framework. These findings support the concept that leadership for learning may have implications for school leaders trying to implement effective job-embedded professional development.