This study investigated the effect familiarity with a teacher had on student interpretations of teacher verbal praise in seventh and eighth grade choral ensembles. A stimulus tape was constructed of 16, 30-second videotaped clips containing verbal praise of four teachers. Teachers identified their intent in the use of praise in each example. Students (n = 80) from the four choirs responded to the tape by labeling the praise in each clip as deserved or as one of three types of instructional praise (i.e., praise to encourage, to send a message to other students, or to seek student cooperation). Comparisons were made between choirs in labeling the praise. Comparisons were made also between each teacher's stated purpose in praising and the interpretations of choirs familiar and unfamiliar with the teacher. Choirs who were unfamiliar with the teacher differed from the teachers' own students in interpreting the praise: Students who knew a teacher labeled the praise as deserved in five clips, but unfamiliar choirs thought the praise served an instructional purpose. In four clips, choirs differed in their interpretations of the type of instructional praise. Students familiar with a teacher recognized their teacher's intent in praising in 12 of 16 clips. In some situations, familiarity with a teacher and context made a difference in detecting the teacher's purpose for praising. In five clips where teachers identified the praise as deserved, students unfamiliar with the teacher and context thought the praise was intended to encourage students. Students across choirs were particularly sensitive to a teacher's use of praise to send a message to other students. Students are keen observers of teacher praise. Findings suggest students discriminate between praise directed at the performance and praise used for instructional purposes, suggesting that observation instruments that rely on a single label for praise might miss important information. Findings support the importance of determining how teachers intend praise to serve and how students interpret the behavior.

This experimental research study investigated the effectiveness of the application of Child-Teacher Relationship training, adapted from child-centered play therapy procedures and skills training (filial therapy), with undergraduate teacher trainees. Specifically, this research determined if Child-Teacher Relationship training facilitated change in teacher trainees' interactions with children, parenting attitudes, and play therapy attitude knowledge and skills. The experimental group of teacher trainees (n=18) received 10 weekly ninety minute training sessions in child-centered play therapy skills and procedures and conducted 7 weekly special play times with children. The comparison group (n=20) received supplemental training in child guidance during the ten weeks that included parent training and alternatives to corporal punishment. Experimental and comparison group participants completed pre-test and post-test measures, consisting of the Adolescent and Adult Parenting Attitudes Inventory (AAPI-2), the Play Therapy Attitudes, Knowledge, and Skills Survey (PTAKSS), and a videotaped special play time with a child which was rated using the Measurement of Empathy in Adult and Child Interactions (MEACI). Analysis of covariance on adjusted post test means revealed that the teacher trainees in the experimental group demonstrated statistically significant ("<.05) increases in empathy towards children, allowing the child self direction, communication of acceptance, and involvement as measured by the MEACI. Significant ("<.05) increases were also reported on teacher trainees in the experimental group on play therapy attitudes, knowledge, and skills as measured by the PTAKSS. The experimental group demonstrated growth in level of empathy and adult-child role subscales on the AAPI, and positive trends (.07) were reported on the AAPI expectations of children subscale.

M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Ed. / This investigation is part of a group project that was conducted by a research team of the Department of Educational Sciences of the Rand Afrikaans University. The focus of this study is the self-concept development of pupils and the responsibility of teachers in this regard. Aspects of self-concept development are addressed as factors contributing towards the pupils gaining a positive self-concept. Teachers should be aware of the subtle, yet powerful, influence that a positive or a negative self-concept could have on a pupil's development and how this affects the pupil's intellectual, social and personal development. It is the view of the researcher that teachers need to make every effort to assist pupils in developing a positive and healthy self-concept. The methodology used in this study is two-fold: Firstly, it involves literature study on self-concept development. The researcher used this information to support the field of investigation and to make findings based on factual information. Secondly, it involves information derived from questionnaires completed by a number :of teachers in different schools. From the information obtained from the completed questionnaires the researcher was able to ascertain teachers' opinions of their efforts concerning the development of pupils' self-concept. The results of the empirical research indicate that teachers, by making a high input on the various aspects of the development of the pupils' self-concept, consider this as an important responsibility. The following specific findings were made: * The input made by teachers with regard to encouraging pupils to believe in their own abilities was given the highest rating, while their input concerning planning to meet individual needs of learners was on the lower average. There was a significant difference between the ratio male : input and the ratio female : input regarding the encouragment of pupils to believe in their own abilities. Teachers with more than eleven years of teaching experience provide more input in planning to meet the individual needs of the learners. Teachers whose mother tongue is neither English or Afrikaans provide more input in giving positive feedback to pupils. It was noted that teachers' qualifications also play a role in their input concerning positive feedback to pupils. There is a significant relationship between subjects taught and the proportion of input with regard to the various aspects of self-concept development. The study also revealed that teachers are of the opinion that the development of pupils' self-concept is an important aspect of their responsibilities. This is supported by the high proportion of teachers' input in this regard.

M.Ed. (Educational Management) / The primary purpose of this research was to investigate teachers’ experiences and perceptions of school violence directed towards them by pupils in selected South African schools. Qualitative data was collected using the interpretive approach in a case study, which was applicable because it allowed the participants to reflect on their experience in their natural setting. I used semi-structured interviews and document analysis, comprising school reports, personal journals, and newspaper articles. The sample of the study consisted of two groups of educators from each of three selected schools in Gauteng. The findings show that the participant educators experience school violence as a multifaceted phenomenon and feel that the poor management and discipline in these schools has lead to low educator morale and deterioration in the school environment, which in turn prevents effective teaching and learning. The findings also suggested that school violence takes on many forms, ranging from physical to verbal to psychological abuse. They feel they are being forced to teach in an environment polluted with threats and fear, with a resultant rippling effect of feeling unsafe and unprotected. This culminates in many educators leaving the profession either to teach abroad or leaving the government sector to work in a private teaching sector where they hope for zero tolerance of school violence. Recommendations were made for an increased level of communication between the principal and School management team (SMT) on one hand, and the educators on the other, concerning how violent attacks against educators have been addressed. Educators feel that this means of communication does not have to be labour-intensive and can be done simply by email, text message or a note during a staff or morning meeting. The presence of a counsellor or psychologist on the school premises is recommended as it will assist learners in dealing with challenges such as family factors that encompass parental separation, unstable family background, social adversities and peer pressure. The scenario that arose from this study is that a school psychologist may also be of assistance to educators, able to impart skills on anger management and offer an avenue for educators to offload their experiences of learners’ deviant behaviour. Tightening of security is also emphasised. Since the school needs good leadership, principals have to be retrained in leading the school in the new South African education dispensation. The findings revealed that this may be one of the key factors in curbing or preventing school violence. The study therefore recommends that education policymakers, school leaders and managers, parents, educators, the community and the Department of education (DoE) all work in unison to improve the school climate in those schools that are prone to school violence. Teamwork is paramount, and seminars and workshops with all stakeholders was suggested to encourage this.

Thesis advisor: Elizabeth Twomey / This phenomenological study investigated the effects of a Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) Program on non-native speaking Hispanic students in a public middle school. The purpose of the study is to discover whether the PBIS program alleviates, intensifies or does not change the degree of bias towards minority students currently in existence through traditional discipline models. It also intends to discover whether the experience of the Hispanic students is similar to the intent of the program as determined by the implementing staff. Finally, this study will investigate whether a program that explicitly teaches values reflects the white, middle class backgrounds of the staff and whether this is detrimental to the primarily minority student population at the school. An outside researcher who had previously spent time at the school site as a principal intern conducted this qualitative, phenomenological study. The researcher used the following data collection tools: individual semi-formal interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document analysis. The research occurred over approximately six weeks. The study concluded that the values taught through PBIS were designed to bring the students into the teachers' world, a world considered superior to the students as well as universal. This indicated that the teachers held a deficit model of culture towards the students' culture. Another finding indicated a need on the part of the staff to be aware of the students' relationship with their family as they implement any discipline program, especially one that explicitly teaches values. Finally, the study found a need for teachers to build positive relationships with all students, especially those with disciplinary issues. It was through positive relationships with the students deemed "problems" by the school and their parents that the teachers were able to reduce problem behaviors. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2010. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Leadership and Higher Education.

Research shows that there is a disconnect between student and faculty perceptions in a range of areas. One area that has not been researched is comparing student and faculty perceptions regarding desirable and undesirable traits in professors. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify what students perceive are the most and least desirable qualities in professors, and how those qualities affect their overall college experience. This study also identified what professors thought students perceive as the most and least desirable qualities in professors, and how those qualities affect students’ overall college experience. The findings indicate that the largest disparity in perceptions between students and faculty was faculty perception that students rate them based on class rigor and assigned grades, which were two of the least important qualities according to students. The largest similarity that faculty and students agreed upon is that students desire professors who are knowledgeable, passionate, engaging, and able to connect with students. Both groups also perceive that students do not like professors who are boring and monotone. In addition, students and professors agree that students perceive professors as playing an important role in their lives that affect their ability to learn, the grades they receive, and also impact their overall college experience and trajectory in life. The two groups differed when describing how professors’ undesirable qualities can negatively affect students’ emotions and self-confidence. Faculty and students were in agreement in a variety of areas, but they were disconnected in several areas as well. This is a problem as we move into the future. Cox (2009) said, “the traditional college student is no longer the typical college student” (p. 7), especially when it comes to state and community colleges. Professors would benefit from listening to students instead of assuming that their ratings are untrustworthy and based on how hard or easy the class was or what grade they received. The researcher asserts, along with others in the literature, that expertise in content area is no longer good enough to be an effective educator in higher education. Faculty also need to be experts in understanding students. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The qualitative research study examined the teacher-student and student-student interactions that took place in two elementary parochial classrooms staffed by teachers nominated as effective by their supervisors. The study also examined relationships, similarities and differences between the teacher-student and student-student interactions. Qualitative data were collected including classroom observations, interviews with teachers, and focus group interviews with students. Results indicated that effective teachers supported their students organizationally through well-organized learning environments ; instructionally by using a variety of instructional scaffolds, strategies and materials while holding students accountable for their learning ; and emotionally by meeting students' needs for belonging and safety. Student-student instructinal and emotional supports reflected most of the elements of teacher-student organizational, instructional and emotional supports but also included some negative interactions not present in teacher-student interactions. Implications for classroom practice, public policy and further research in classroom interactions are given. / by Eudora A. Stephens. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

Teacher-student relationships can influence the academic, social, and behavioral adjustment of children and youth. Students with emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD) experience poor quality relationships with teachers. The current study explores the importance of working alliance (i.e., agreement on tasks and goals, bond) among teachers and their students. Seventy-six teacher-student dyads completed measures of classroom working alliance, perceptions of the student-teacher relationship, student engagement, and student behavior (i.e., externalizing and internalizing behavior). Findings indicated that (a) students and teachers have weak agreement about the quality of their alliance, (b) working alliance was associated with student engagement, and (c) students’ externalizing symptomology predicted teacher ratings of alliance. Interpretation of these findings, study limitations, and suggestions for future research and practice are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to model students’ perceptions of teachers (fair, warm, friendly, etc.) over time from 6th to 9th grade, to examine whether a relationship existed between students’ perceptions of teachers and distal outcomes of education attainment and education status in emerging adulthood, and to examine whether gender was associated with teacher perceptions, the trajectory of perceptions, or the outcomes. Attachment Theory and Self Determination Theory were used as frameworks for understanding relationships between study variables. The present study used existing data from a longitudinal, multi-wave, intervention study (Project Alliance 2 [PAL-2] DA018374) that addressed adolescents’ negative behaviors during middle school to high school. Data was examined from a sample of 415 participants from the larger randomized control trial of 593. Participants were students from three socioeconomically and ethnically diverse public middle schools in the Pacific Northwest. Data was analyzed using Mplus7.1 using full information maximum likelihood to account for missing data. The study had several key findings. First, latent class growth model (LCGM) analyses revealed a significant a linear model that showed an overall declining trajectory of students’ perceptions of teachers from 6th to 9th grade. There was a significant difference between students’ perceptions of teachers in 6th grade and education status. Students who reported more positive perceptions of teachers in 6th grade were more likely to endorse enrollment in a vocational or educational program. Second, LCGM analyses further revealed a model with an added quadratic term that showed an overall declining trajectory of student’s perceptions of teachers that decelerated beginning at 7th grade. Third, LCGM and growth mixture model analyses examined trajectories of students’ perceptions of teachers over time and revealed a two-class model. The first class was represented by a declining trajectory and a second class represented by overall lower students’ positive perceptions of teachers in 6th grade that increase each year through the 9th grade. Students’ perceptions of teachers appear to converge in 9th grade for both classes. Implications for practice and research, along with limitations and directions for future research are discussed.