<p> To recall on the past through oral tradition is a source of strength, so why not study the stories and actions of female Native leaders today by analyzing the stories and artifacts they leave behind. With the current political climate, it has become opportunistic and necessary to redefine identity, to challenge the dominant narrative, to question history and plan for the future through critical engagement of the present. This research will provide other Native women leaders, writers, poets and storytellers inspiration and confidence in their current actions and skills, as they are tools in resisting and surviving the various systems meant to exclude and terminate their voice and identity. Although there are many different approaches to understanding the use of storytelling as a tool of activism when occupying a liminal space, I focus on these three areas: the liminal spaces Native people occupy force us to constantly negotiate our identity and voice as a Native person, the use of a modern movement like Standing Rock as liminal space platform, and the application of storytelling a tool of activism. I was drawn to using Standing Rock as a platform for study of liminal space for the complex yet inclusive nature that drew in activists like myself from all walks of life. What I was most interested in were my fellow Native sisters, the female leaders in Indian Country that were present at Standing Rock using their statues and platforms to discuss issues otherwise forgotten through their strengths of storytelling. I want to know how they used storytelling as a tool of activism, how they connected to their perceived audiences and created an urgency to act and if there were any issues of the past resolved in the efforts of the present found within their writings. The communication strategies of storytelling within a liminal space like Standing Rock, provides an opportunity for the reclaiming of Native identity by Native people, as seen with the recognition of the Water Protector identity, and the engagement of new ideas and possibilities in solving complex socio-political, environmental-cultural issues.</p><p>

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the space provided by a readerresponse transaction between girls and the text, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Taylor 1977) .. empowered pupils to tell their own stories. It also sought to identify ways in which the problems and possibilities perceived by these pupils might guide curriculum decisions in a transforming education system. In addition to engaging in reader-response activities around the text, drama and videos providing social context were integral to the programme. Related work in the subject areas of history and lifeskills was also undertaken. Data was drawn from pupils' reading journals, responses to specific passages, transcripts of small group discussions, and interviews. The study is ethnographic in nature and all the data qualitative. Theoretical insights were drawn from the felds of cultural studies, postmodern criticism, and postructural modes of cultural and social analysis inasfar as they illuminate and inform the relationship between language, knowledge and power. The research was conducted in an historically white, girls' school which adopted a nonracial admissions policy in January 1991. Despite the fact that existing traditions and values of the the school to a very large extent influence what is taught, the data suggests that pupils were becoming agents in their own learning and were taking up multiple identities both within and without the world of the school.

<p> The enrollment, retention, and graduation rates for African American, Latino, Native American, and segments of Asian and Pacific Islander men in higher education are disproportionately lower than women from all racial groups and White men. A significant body of research substantiates the concern by institutions on the opportunity gap for men of color in higher education. Despite the research and concerted efforts by institutions, this opportunity gap continues to affect the educational and overall college experience of men of color. Through qualitative interviews employing a photo elicitation protocol and a conceptual framework based on validation theory, Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Anti-Deficit Perspectives, this study examines the social, cultural, and institutional factors that shape this population&rsquo;s experience in higher education. This research will examine the strengths and assets that men of color identify as supporting their success in college. This study will also examine how institutional resources and practices informed by an anti-deficit framework can effectively improve the experiences of men of color in school.</p><p>

<p> This study employed a model of basic qualitative research which explored teachers&rsquo; pedagogical responses to the unique cultural gaps they experienced in schools where most students were of minority cultural identity. Eight teachers who self-identified as majority culture identity formed the sample group for this study. Semistructured interviews were used to collect their insights regarding their pedagogical decision making they used with the students in the school where they were teaching. Additionally, teachers shared what they described were culturally responsive curriculum samples and then provided a reflection on how they implemented this curriculum. The data showed that these teachers understood the value of providing a culturally responsive pedagogy in their classrooms. Despite this, for numerous reasons, teachers struggled to develop and then apply culturally responsive pedagogy that aligned with models described in literature.</p><p>

<p> There is an abundance of research concerning diversity issues in American classrooms. However, researchers have not provided enough attention to religious goals of Muslim parents and their experiences with educational institutions. For this qualitative study, the researcher interviewed 15 Muslim parents, eight females and seven males, to explore how participants&rsquo; experiences and expectations influence the way they negotiate their religious needs with schools/preschool in Southern California. The results showed that cooperation and negotiations were key strategies adopted by Muslim parents to maintain relationships with educational organizations. Schools accommodated religious practices when requested and parents negotiated their needs when necessary. Findings also showed that participants connected the school&rsquo;s role with academic learning and that teachers lacked accurate knowledge of Islam. There was a sense of restraint among participants. Participants did not want to share the name of their child&rsquo;s school/preschool or materials shared by the school.</p><p>

<p> Through interviews with the principal, teachers, and parents, the researcher describes how teacher training and implementation of culturally responsive education (CRE) has influenced the climate in a Title I school. Educators teaching in schools that serve racially diverse students from low socio-economic communities face challenges that lead to low teacher morale, high discipline, and low student achievement. The problem is that these indicators often result in a negative school climate. CRE training provides teachers with knowledge and skills to help teachers better connect with and teach racially diverse students. In addition to the interviews, another point of data collection included the review of seven years of suspension rates and discipline referrals for Black and Latino children at the selected Title I school to determine if there was a decline following the training and implementation of CRE practices. Principals are key to leading change in their schools. Schools that fall in the Title I category present unique and significant challenges for improvement. Research shows that schools with a positive climate reflect low rates of discipline, higher student learning, strong relationships among staff and students, and higher teacher morale. The narrative data tables presented in this study indicate improvements in the overall school climate with emerging themes in relationship, culturally responsive education, school climate, and decreased discipline. There was more than a 30% decline in suspensions and more than a 25% decline in office referrals for Black and Latino students at the selected Title I school.</p><p>

<p> The purpose of this qualitative case study was to ascertain the perceptions of a principal regarding leadership insights into the ability to lead effectively in urban and multicultural education settings. The researcher determined that the potential existed for this participant, who was actively working to address issues brought on by diversity, to serve as a role model for culturally-responsive teaching through a case study. The increasing diversity among prekindergarten to Grade 12 students requires a more adequately trained, culturally aware faculty and staff. This case study used the theoretical lenses of the critical race theory, the model of Black identity development, and White identity development to examine the experiences of diverse cultures upon academic social structures. Four main research questions guided this study to determine the principal&rsquo;s ability to lead in a multicultural urban setting effectively: (a) what are the principal&rsquo;s perceptions about cultural awareness and his/her responsibility for serving increasingly diverse students, staff, and communities; (b) in what ways does a principal&rsquo;s perceptions of his/her capacity to lead effectively and demonstrate cultural awareness in an urban school with increasingly diverse students, staff, and communities evolve in practice over time; (c) what are the principal&rsquo;s perceptions of their past effectiveness to lead in a culturally responsive manner while serving increasingly diverse students, staff, and communities; and (d) what are the principal&rsquo;s perceptions of their preparedness to lead in a culturally responsive and culturally competent manner while serving increasingly diverse students, staff, and communities. School principals play a critical role in improving schools. This in-depth study interviewed a principal that had demonstrated 3 years of effective multicultural leadership experience over a diverse ethnic and gender population of students within the public urban school system.</p><p>

<p> The workforce gap remains for women and underrepresented minorities in science technology, engineering, and mathematics careers. There are several program initiatives to help address this gap especially long-term STEM enrichment programs. There is a vast amount of literature on STEM enrichment programs, but limited information on the long-term impacts. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of young women and URMS who participated in long-term STEM enrichment programs and the impact those programs had on their STEM path. The 11 adult female participants were at various stages of their STEM journey from entering college to STEM careers. The phenomenological approach was used to gain a rich contextual understanding of their lived experiences. This study was framed through Bronfenbrenner&rsquo;s (2005) bioecological model by identifying the macro- and microsystems of the participants&rsquo; experiences and then exploring the impact of those systems. Through the qualitative analysis 10 themes emerged that represent the participants&rsquo; experiences: (1) STEM enrichment programs and staff created a place where participants felt welcomed and valued; (2) STEM enrichment programs challenged and supported participants to move outside their comfort zones; (3) STEM enrichment programs provided opportunities for both cognitive and non-cognitive skills development; (4) Family involvement of STEM enrichment programs ranged from low to high engagement (5) Participants experienced non-supportive educators along their journey while STEM enrichment programs countered those experiences; (6) Participants reflected that K-12 early exposure to STEM is critical for a STEM career path; (7) STEM enrichment program involvement provided both short-term and long-term benefits; (8) STEM enrichment programs&rsquo; role models and mentors were seen as heroes and provided inspiration, which created a pipeline of giving back; (9) Participants did not seek out STEM programs but pursued STEM involvement because of external encouragement; (10) Issues related to gender and race still prevalent, but STEM enrichment programs provided support and confidence for participants in non-diverse settings. Implications, recommendations, and suggestions for future research are also presented.</p><p>

<p> While many Marshallese learners thrive in school environments, far more have struggled to find academic success, both at home and abroad. While this has been documented by educational researchers for decades, there is a dearth of research about how Marshallese students learn most effectively. Examining culturally-sustaining educational models that have resulted in successful student outcomes in other indigenous groups can inform strategies to improve educational experiences for Marshallese students. Understanding how recognized Marshallese experts in a range of fields have successfully learned and passed on knowledge and skills is important to understanding how formal school environments can be shaped to most effectively support Marshallese student learning.</p><p> This study examines the learning and teaching experiences of recognized Marshallese holders of traditional and contemporary knowledge and skills, in order to document a Marshallese indigenous learning framework. This research used bwebwenato (talk story) as a research method, to learn from the experiences of ten Marshallese experts in knowledge and skills ranging from sewing to linguistics and from canoe-making to business.</p><p> Key findings include the four key components of a Marshallese indigenous learning framework: &bull; Relationships &bull; Motivation for Learning &bull; Teaching Strategies &bull; Extending Networks Teaching strategies are comprised of the commonalities among the way Marshallese have learned and mastered both traditional and contemporary skills. Chief among these are: introducing the topic at a young age, scaffolding, demonstrating and observing, learning through relevant practice, and correcting learners constructively. To a lesser extent, and in a context in which the learner and teacher are not related in a familial way, learning and teaching occurs through visual aids and asking instructor for assistance.</p><p>

<p> This study explores how quality experienced teachers use culture to successfully deliver K-12 classroom instruction. Additionally, it develops and tests the effectiveness of a resource designed to instruct early career teachers on the use of culture to deliver classroom instruction. </p><p> Research was conducted in two phases over a four-year time frame (2014-2017). The study followed a mixed methods exploratory sequential design, using a participatory action research approach. Phase 1 gathered qualitative data from 20 experienced teachers located in two states, which were analyzed using constructed grounded theory. The results of this analysis, accompanied by a literature review, resulted in the development of a Chapter about Culture (CAC), an instructional resource on teaching through culture for early career teachers.</p><p> Phase 2 gathered quantitative data using a Checklist of Classroom Inventory (CCI) from eight Alaska early career teachers and one Montana experienced teacher, and were analyzed by averaging the pre/post CAC scores and comparing the differences. In addition, one open-ended question after use of CAC provided additional qualitative data about the resourcefulness of CAC, as well as the process for implementing the lessons.</p><p> Phase 1 results revealed five common themes when teaching through culture: Relationships, Communication, Connections, Respect, and Multicultural Resources. These themes contributed to the construction of a value-added theory of practice for teaching through culture, and served as the basis of the CAC. Phase 2 results demonstrated growth by early career teachers after using the newly created CAC in all five themes of teaching through culture.</p><p>