Global ETD Search

1	Striving and Surviving: The Phenomenology of the First-Year Teaching Experience Smith, Michael D 18 November 2009 (has links) Despite the enduring relative popularity of teaching as a career, the research literature on teacher preparation suggests that there is growing concern about the state of the field. With each passing year, the demographic realities within k-12 classrooms bring new challenges for the teacher preparation enterprise. Shortages in high need communities and increasing numbers of provisionally certified (or uncertified) teachers represent two areas of concern. Notwithstanding the extraordinarily increasing cultural and linguistic diversity now found among the student population, the teacher population has failed to diversify in kind. The number of new teachers who are ill-prepared to respond to this "demographic imperative" is a glaring cause for concern. This study represents the author's attempt to contribute to this important discourse by studying a cohort of individuals who recently completed a teacher preparation program and started to apply what they learned in their first professional teaching position. The purpose of this research study is twofold. First, the researcher uses phenomenological research methods to investigate the first-year teaching experience. Through a series of interviews, he explores the participants' expectations, experiences, and reflections in order to distill the essence of the phenomenon. Second, the researcher examines the connections between the culturally responsive pedagogical competencies developed during teacher preparation and their attempts to implement the practices in their new classrooms. Analysis of the data showed that the essence of the first-year teaching experience featured the influence of the following: relationships with students, lessons learned through experience, importance of support and mentorship, and the negotiation of challenges. Analysis of their attempts to apply culturally responsive pedagogy revealed their intentions to implement programs and principles; however these were often compromised while managing other realities of the first year experience. The study concludes with a discussion of implications for practice and possibilities for future research. Qualitative research method Teacher preparation Teacher mentorship Teacher induction Cultural diversity American Studies Arts and Humanities
2	The Perceptions of Alternatively Certified K-12 Public School Teachers in One Division in Virginia Regarding Their Preparedness to Teach and the Training and Administrative Support They Need for Retention Rankin, Kristin Rachelle Lazenby 09 July 2023 (has links) The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of alternatively certified public K-12 teachers regarding their preparedness to teach and to identify key areas for training and administrative support needed for teacher retention. This basic qualitative study with elements of phenomenological design included a semi-structured focus group protocol in which 23 candidates participated in four focus groups. Study participants were provisionally licensed K-12 public school teachers in Virginia and represented elementary, middle, and high school teachers in both general and special education roles. Findings indicated that beginning teachers who have completed an alternative teacher certification program (ATCP) do not feel prepared for the teaching role and many have considered leaving the profession prematurely. Additionally, study findings indicate that ATCP teachers perceive that their training did not adequately prepare them for classroom management, working with parents, and managing the many responsibilities of a teacher, resulting in high levels of stress among provisionally licensed teachers. Data demonstrate that increased financial support for required coursework, a reduction in workload, mentoring programs, and more hands-on training will support ATCP teacher retention. Implications of this study's findings indicate that school, district, and state school leaders can positively impact ATCP teacher retention by implementing specific professional development programs, providing coaching and mentoring, and by adjusting ATCP training to better prepare their graduates for teaching in the areas of managing student behavior and working with parents. / Doctor of Education / The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the perceptions of alternatively certified public K-12 teachers regarding their preparedness to teach and to identify key areas for training and administrative support needed for teacher retention. In this study, 23 candidates participated in four focus groups. Study participants were provisionally licensed K-12 public school teachers in Virginia and represented elementary, middle, and high school teachers in both general and special education roles, as well as school counselors, foreign language teachers, career and technical education, and business teachers. Findings from this study indicate that teachers who complete alternative teacher certification programs (ATCPs) perceive that they are unprepared when they begin teaching as a result of their training and many consider leaving the profession prematurely. Provisionally licensed teachers perceive they lack adequate training in areas including classroom management, academic instruction, and working with parents, resulting in high levels of stress and feeling overwhelmed. Findings from this study indicate that school, division, and state level educational leaders can provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities for ATCP teachers that will promote their retention. This study provides a lens through which to examine the experiences of ATCP teachers and understand their perceptions of their unique training and experiences so that they can be better prepared and supported by school leaders in order to remain in the profession. This study also recognizes the resiliency of ATCP teachers who overcome unique challenges in order to remain in their teaching role and positively impact student achievement. teacher attrition teacher retention Covid-19 alternative teacher certification provisional licensing professional development teacher mentorship
3	Unequal Opportunities for Citizenship Learning? Diverse Student Experiences Completing Ontario’s Community Involvement Requirement Horner Schwarz, Kaylan 01 January 2011 (has links) This thesis examined diverse students' experiences completing Ontario's community involvement requirement. An analysis of quantitative surveys and qualitative focus groups among 50 current and recently graduated secondary school students from widely contrasting socio-economic settings showed ways in which diverse participants perceived their community involvement activities, the support for community involvement in their schools, and their associated opportunities to develop capacity to make changes toward a more socially just world. Results indicated that low-income participants reported dissimilar experiences from high-income participants, in relation to the support for community involvement provided by school staffs, participants' direct or distant relationships with service recipients, and their sense of individual and collective agency to effect change. Thus, this study challenges the assumption that all students in Ontario have equal access to the citizenship education learning opportunities embedded in meaningful community involvement activities. citizenship education community service community involvement secondary school students social class socio-economic status adult role models teacher mentorship critical pedagogy qualitative research quantitative research mixed method Ontario curriculum reflection social justice service learning graduation requirement mandatory high school students youth adolescent young people active citizenship agency self-efficacy social change privilege volunteer independent school private school public school alternative school at-risk high-income low-income social problems service recipients mandated focus group survey Canada citizen participation comparative access 0727
4	Unequal Opportunities for Citizenship Learning? Diverse Student Experiences Completing Ontario’s Community Involvement Requirement Horner Schwarz, Kaylan 01 January 2011 (has links) This thesis examined diverse students' experiences completing Ontario's community involvement requirement. An analysis of quantitative surveys and qualitative focus groups among 50 current and recently graduated secondary school students from widely contrasting socio-economic settings showed ways in which diverse participants perceived their community involvement activities, the support for community involvement in their schools, and their associated opportunities to develop capacity to make changes toward a more socially just world. Results indicated that low-income participants reported dissimilar experiences from high-income participants, in relation to the support for community involvement provided by school staffs, participants' direct or distant relationships with service recipients, and their sense of individual and collective agency to effect change. Thus, this study challenges the assumption that all students in Ontario have equal access to the citizenship education learning opportunities embedded in meaningful community involvement activities. citizenship education community service community involvement secondary school students social class socio-economic status adult role models teacher mentorship critical pedagogy qualitative research quantitative research mixed method Ontario curriculum reflection social justice service learning graduation requirement mandatory high school students youth adolescent young people active citizenship agency self-efficacy social change privilege volunteer independent school private school public school alternative school at-risk high-income low-income social problems service recipients mandated focus group survey Canada citizen participation comparative access 0727

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