- Dr. Ashlea Rineer-Hershey (x)
- Search
- Title
- Special Educators' Perspectives and Experiences with Workplace Bullying
- Year Issued
- 2023
- Abstract
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The purpose of this study was to determine K-12 special educators’ perceptions and experiences with workplace bullying. Specifically, this study focused on the experiences of educators in PSEA’s Midwestern Region. Their perceptions and experiences are presented seque...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine K-12 special educators’ perceptions and experiences with workplace bullying. Specifically, this study focused on the experiences of educators in PSEA’s Midwestern Region. Their perceptions and experiences are presented sequentially, through key cruces that evolved through the interview process. The participants in the study were five special educators, in various teaching positions, and at varying points in their careers. Each participant was interviewed for approximately 30 minutes via Zoom. This interview was a semi-structured format, discussing their experiences and perceptions of workplace bullying in their K-12 special education positions. The intention of this research was to gather perspectives of the participants about the growing phenomenon of workplace bullying, thus lending itself to a phenomenological research design. From each question in the interview the researcher extrapolated key cruces through multicyclic coding analysis. Creswell (2007) and Tracy (2013) suggest involving participants in the review process to ensure the accuracy and intentions of their interview responses. Therefore, following the interviews, each participant received an electronic copy of the transcribed interview and reviewed it for precision. This goal of this study is for participants’ voices to uncover potential connections or truths to help understand the phenomenon of workplace bullying. These findings may transfer to other occupations or fields also struggling with workplace bullying. The population sample is unique to my personal experience, but the overarching goal spreads further than K-12 special education departments. The combination of cruces revealed in Chapter IV, can be grouped into four key areas for the purpose of further discussion. These provide a solid foundation for understanding the participants responses concerning their experience and perceptions on workplace bullying. The four key areas are workplace environment and administrative applications, similarities and differences between special educators and general educators, experiences with workplace bullying and social structures in the workplace, and personal reflections participants wished to share. This study concludes that workplace bullying is occurring in all five participants districts in various formats. The participants are calling for administration to assist in creating a safe, productive, and positive work environment for all building members.
Show less - Author
- Kristin Pierson-Malenky
- Title
- Exploring General Education Teachers' Perceptions of Children with Disabilities in General Education
- Year Issued
- 2023
- Abstract
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This research proposal aims to explore the perceptions of general education teachers towards children with disabilities who are integrated into general education classrooms. This qualitative study seeks to gain insights into how these teachers perceive the abilities ...
Show moreThis research proposal aims to explore the perceptions of general education teachers towards children with disabilities who are integrated into general education classrooms. This qualitative study seeks to gain insights into how these teachers perceive the abilities and challenges of these children and how they believe they can best support them in their learning. The research will survey responses with a sample of general education teachers to collect data on their experiences and perspectives. The findings of this study could contribute to a better understanding of the attitudes and beliefs that inform teachers' practice towards children with disabilities in general education and inform the development of strategies to enhance inclusive education for all students.
Show less - Author
- Erika Komp
- Title
- Sexual Offenders in Western Pennsylvania
- Abstract
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In the United States, the implementation of sex offender legislation, such as the passing of the Jacob Wetterling Act in 1994, was initiated to improve the response to the increasing perception of public safety concerns that individuals convicted of sexual offenses p...
Show moreIn the United States, the implementation of sex offender legislation, such as the passing of the Jacob Wetterling Act in 1994, was initiated to improve the response to the increasing perception of public safety concerns that individuals convicted of sexual offenses posed to community members. However, despite the enactment of such policies, debates regarding the effectiveness of sex offender registration and notification (SORN) requirements continue, with critics arguing that policies are founded on conclusions gained from research that overlooks a portion of the sex-offending population: females who sexually offend. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to explore the prevalence and nature of female sex offending in Allegheny County. Results demonstrated that female sex offenders accounted for 2.8% of the total convicted sexual offender population in Allegheny. Additionally, females were primarily White and, on average, younger than male offenders. A significant proportion of females (82.1%) had a minor victim, and the study's findings also determined that lifetime registry was the highest occurring tier classification for both males and females. Types of primary offenses that females were convicted of included charges such as sex trafficking (7.7%) and indecent assault (30.8%), with indecent assault also as the most frequent sub-offense conviction (12.8%). Lastly, results exhibited that male (M = 7.46, SD = 3.221) and female (M = 6.46, SD = 2.602) sex offenders in Allegheny County did not have significantly different offense gravity scores.
Show less - Year Issued
- 2023
- Author
- Elizabeth Kuhn
- Sub-title
- An Analysis of Megan's Law Registrants
- Title
- Language Discordance in Music Therapy
- Abstract
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The following thesis is a culmination of an interpretative phenomenological analysis research study seeking to understand music therapists’ experiences of delivering music therapy services with a language interpreter. The purpose of this study has four main tenets: 1...
Show moreThe following thesis is a culmination of an interpretative phenomenological analysis research study seeking to understand music therapists’ experiences of delivering music therapy services with a language interpreter. The purpose of this study has four main tenets: 1) To understand the therapists’ experiences of delivering music therapy services with interpreters, 2) To fill the gap in the music therapy literature on working with interpreters, 3) To serve as a resource for music therapists delivering music therapy services with interpreters, and 4) To combat the systemic issues of access and equity within the music therapy field. Data was collected through one-on-one semi-structured interviews with 5 music therapists. Data was then transcribed, coded, and thematized, resulting in 40 themes and seven domains: 1) Ways of working with interpreters, 2) Benefits of working with interpreters, 3) Drawbacks of working with interpreters, 4) Music therapists’ feelings when working with interpreters, 5) Potential reasons for not working with interpreters, 6) Dangers of not working with interpreters, and 7) Considerations for music therapists working with interpreters. The findings indicate areas of growth and the need for increased education for music therapists when working with interpreters. Music therapists are also challenged to confront their own privileged stances on the issues of language and linguistic privilege within the U.S., as related to working with patients with limited English proficiency and from historically marginalized communities within music therapy.
Show less - Year Issued
- 2023
- Author
- Victoria Obermeier
- Sub-title
- Therapists’ Experiences of Delivering Music Therapy Services with Interpreters
- Title
- Perceived Levels of Burnout in Public School SLPs
- Year Issued
- 2023
- Abstract
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School-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) experience high caseloads and increasing demands on their time. Simultaneously, levels of burnout are increasing across many fields, including education. As burnout rates are increasing, so are the numbers of workers l...
Show moreSchool-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) experience high caseloads and increasing demands on their time. Simultaneously, levels of burnout are increasing across many fields, including education. As burnout rates are increasing, so are the numbers of workers leaving specific fields. As of now, there are no studies that explore the level of burnout that school SLPs are facing. Therefore, the aim of this study was do determine these levels, identify the factors contributing to these feelings, and how they impact the potential for SLPs to leave the field. A qualitative study was completed via surveys sent to eligible school-based SLPs. The SLPs were asked to complete an open-ended survey, which would provide a snapshot of the lived experiences of the participants. The results showed that the SLPs that participated are experiencing similar situations, with similar constraints put on their time during work hours. All of the participants report experiencing at least one symptom of burnout, with many experiencing these feelings multiple times per week. The SLPs identified similar factors contributing to their feelings, as well as specific ways administrators could work to fix these problems. The results showed that, while SLPs are experiencing burnout, most are unlikely to leave the school-based sector at this time.
Show less - Author
- Christy Olexa DeCarlo
- Title
- Effectiveness of inclusion in K-12 schools on students' academic performance
- Abstract
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Students with disabilities are entitled to free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. With this mandate inclusionary practices are expected to be implemented into school districts nationwide. Inclusion is defined in many ways making it di...
Show moreStudents with disabilities are entitled to free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. With this mandate inclusionary practices are expected to be implemented into school districts nationwide. Inclusion is defined in many ways making it difficult for educators to effectively educated diverse students. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study sought to understand how inclusion impacts the learning of all students. Twelve participants were used in this study that included general education teachers, special education teachers, and administrators. Semi-structured interviews were conducted which each participant. The results of this study conclude that many educators feel unprepared to educate diverse classrooms and uneducated on special education regulations. A recommendation for future research is to evaluate the effectiveness of teacher preparation programs. Finally, there is a need for more professional development and training in the area of special education for educators.
Show less - Year Issued
- 2023
- Author
- Angela Confair
- Sub-title
- a qualitative study
- Title
- Queer Clients' Experiences of Harm in Therapy
- Year Issued
- 2023
- Abstract
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This thesis aimed to explore how queer clients experience harm in music therapy and how that harm impacted the therapeutic relationship and process. Upon completing an initial interest and demographic survey, four participants were selected to participate in semi-str...
Show moreThis thesis aimed to explore how queer clients experience harm in music therapy and how that harm impacted the therapeutic relationship and process. Upon completing an initial interest and demographic survey, four participants were selected to participate in semi-structured Zoom interviews. Interviews were transcribed and coded, resulting in seven themes: 1) therapist responses, 2) client responses, 3) qualities of the therapeutic relationship, 4) client perceptions of therapist, 5) impact on client and the therapeutic process, 6) barriers to accessing therapy, and 7) what builds safety and trust. Findings are discussed in relation to the research questions, and implications for clinical practice and suggestions for future research are also provided.
Show less - Author
- Jess Neumann
- Title
- Imagining a post–intentional phenomenology of cisnormativity
- Abstract
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My original plan for this thesis project was to conduct a phenomenological study that focuses on how cisnormativity influences and emerges through a clinician’s development of micro-skills, especially those who are transgender, Two Spirit, and Intersex or otherwise n...
Show moreMy original plan for this thesis project was to conduct a phenomenological study that focuses on how cisnormativity influences and emerges through a clinician’s development of micro-skills, especially those who are transgender, Two Spirit, and Intersex or otherwise non-conforming to the colonial gender paradigm (TTSI+) (Lugones, 2007). However, I struggled to find any phenomenological or clinical consideration of cisnormativity as a phenomenon, and it is rarely articulated as a system immersed in white supremacist bio-essentialism. So, this thesis is a philosophical inquiry that is grounded in Vagle’s post-intentional phenomenological (PIP) paradigm (2018). This inquiry details: 1) how the PIP paradigm may nurture more nuanced investigation of bio-essentialist systems of oppression, 2) how critical phenomenological and post-structural concepts in may be utilized to attend to cisnormativity as a phenomenon that is a part of the imperialist white supremacist capitalist cisheteropatriarchy (hooks, 1997; Yancy & hooks, 2015), 3) the productions and provocations of cisnormativity that emerged through my research process, 4) how these findings connect to current music therapy and related care work literature, and 5) what research project ideas have emerged for future study. Overall, I assert cisnormativity affects everyone, not just TTSI+ people. It is urgently important to slow down and open up to ways cisheteropatriarchy emerges through our habits, through text, and through theoretical frameworks, and to ways we may retroactively and proactively shift these dynamics. I hope my work enables all to nurture their reflexivity and resistance to bio-essentialist oppression through attending to relationships and holding consideration for the more-than-visual.
Show less - Year Issued
- 2023
- Author
- Braedyn Inmon
- Sub-title
- a philosophical inquiry
- Title
- The effects of music therapy on social skills in individuals with autism
- Abstract
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Over the past decades, the rate of autism has increased around the world (Ghasemtabar et al., 2015). A prolonged impairment in social skills and communication is a key feature of autism. According to Vaiouli and Schertz (2012) joint attention is an important developm...
Show moreOver the past decades, the rate of autism has increased around the world (Ghasemtabar et al., 2015). A prolonged impairment in social skills and communication is a key feature of autism. According to Vaiouli and Schertz (2012) joint attention is an important developmental milestone for developing higher levels of social engagement. The delay or absence of joint attention is typically seen in individuals with autism (Vaiouli & Schertz, 2012). Given that there is no known treatment or cure for autism, the focus in supporting individuals with autism is aimed toward implementing an intervention strategy that targets the symptoms of autism (Yum et al., 2020). The current investigation conducted a meta-analysis on the effects of music therapy on social skills in individuals with autism. The analysis for this study was based on data from four research studies providing 20 effect size estimates. The sample within the four studies included data from 117 participants. The sample size for the effect size analysis was based on a sample size of n = 596. The four articles included in this meta-analysis produced an overall large positive significant effect size of d = 0.572 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.37 to 0.78. The mean effect size suggests a large significant effect from music therapy across all studies. All studies included in this current investigation published and reported overall positive results. The Q-statistic tests revealed significant heterogeneity across all studies, with variability across the mean effect size estimates, ranging from d = - 0.14 to d = 1.28. Since the effect size estimates were all positive for the published studies, it is likely that publication bias existed in the studies used in this meta-analysis. According to Walker et al. (2008) high levels of heterogeneity can compromise the conclusion of a meta-analysis, therefore future research is also needed to help decrease the level of heterogeneity across studies.
Show less - Year Issued
- 2023
- Author
- Hannah Rux
- Sub-title
- a meta-analysis
- Title
- Group Music Therapy for LGBTQIA+ Parents Experiencing Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
- Abstract
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A mixed methods research study involving an eight-week music therapy group was facilitated virtually for LGBTQIA+ parents experiencing postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was administered upon first session and last session...
Show moreA mixed methods research study involving an eight-week music therapy group was facilitated virtually for LGBTQIA+ parents experiencing postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was administered upon first session and last session to capture potential impact of music therapy group on mental health over time. The Brief Mood Introspection Scale was administered at the beginning and end of each session to capture short term impact of group music therapy. A semi-structured focus group was facilitated to capture experiences of and feedback from participants, and interviews were scheduled with participants who did not attend the focus group. Interviews and the focus group were transcribed and analyzed and six themes were identified: community and solidarity built around shared experiences, music within and beyond the group, expansiveness and generativity in parenthood, response to experience, attendance and timing challenges, and accessibility. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale did not show statistically significant changes in mood over the course of the eight-week group but was limited by sample size and an outlier score. The Brief Mood Introspection Scale showed more significant trends in increased pleasant mood, decreased stress, and increased positivity after the session. When LGBTQIA+ parents were able to attend the session, they reported meaningful impacts despite attendance challenges. Findings may be useful in developing music therapy practice and research.
Show less - Year Issued
- 2023
- Author
- Maryrose Nieman Nelson
- Sub-title
- A mixed methods study
- Title
- Why parents choose or do not choose cyberschools for their children
- Year Issued
- 2023
- Abstract
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Parents and guardians have many options regarding the type of educational institution that their child can attend. The two most common options for school-aged children are a traditional brick-and-mortar school or a cyberschool. Since children come from diverse backgr...
Show moreParents and guardians have many options regarding the type of educational institution that their child can attend. The two most common options for school-aged children are a traditional brick-and-mortar school or a cyberschool. Since children come from diverse backgrounds, have individual needs, and learn differently, it is important for children and their parents and guardians to understand what each type of school has to offer so they can make an informed decision. This study aimed to understand the specific reasons why parents and guardians choose cyberschools for their children. Ten participants were asked to complete a survey and answer open-ended interview questions; answers were analyzed using Weiss’s 4 I’s framework to determine key factors of school choice. Furthermore, participant responses and collected enrollment data were analyzed to determine student enrollment trends over the past five years at six cyberschools in Pennsylvania. The findings of this study indicated that there are specific, but different, characteristics that both cyberschools and brick-and-mortar schools possess that influence parents and guardians choices regarding educational institutions. Based on this study some parents and guardians prefer the safety and teacher communication that cyberschools offer, and some parents and guardians prefer the extracurricular activities that brick-and-mortar schools offer. Additionally, this study analyzes if the Covid-19 pandemic persuaded parents and guardians to choose one type of school over the other. The data collected from this study can help parents and guardians make informed decisions, based on their children’s needs, to which type of schooling would be most beneficial to them. Additionally, data can help school administrators make changes within their school to help maintain or increase student enrollment by meeting a larger range of student needs.
Show less - Author
- David Furka
- Title
- The effects of an interactive online learning platform on second-grade students' mathematics performance
- Year Issued
- 2023
- Abstract
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As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to surface, educational deficits are the main concern for many educators across the United States. Research has spelled out various effects the global pandemic and remote learning has had on families, especially childr...
Show moreAs the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to surface, educational deficits are the main concern for many educators across the United States. Research has spelled out various effects the global pandemic and remote learning has had on families, especially children and their academic progress. Regardless of the cause, educators are planning their approach on how to fill the educational gaps presented to them to ensure all students achieve academic success. While utilizing a single subject criterion changing quantitative methodology, the purpose of this study was to identify whether IXL Learning was a successful intervention for second-grade students demonstrating a need for remediation of place value skills, as measured by researcher-created, curriculum-based weekly assessments. Data shows a slight increase in weekly researcher-created, curriculum-based assessments centering around place value skills, a large number of exposed place value questions for each student, and a slight increase in place value scores. However, a general pattern of criterion shifting was not found while utilizing IXL Learning as an interventional practice. It is recommended that a blended educational approach with various components be utilized for instructing place value concepts at the second-grade level.
Show less - Author
- Alyssa Swartzfager
- Title
- Music Therapists Experiences Working in a Setting that Values Censorship
- Abstract
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This qualitative study examined the experiences of music therapists that work in an environment that promotes censorship practices. There are several studies that discuss censorship practices across helping professions but few studies within music therapy literature....
Show moreThis qualitative study examined the experiences of music therapists that work in an environment that promotes censorship practices. There are several studies that discuss censorship practices across helping professions but few studies within music therapy literature. Music therapy code of ethics and education stress the importance of self-reflection and recognizing biases for the therapist, however there is minimal information on biases when applying censorship practices. As a helping profession nonmaleficence is emphasized, however there is a paucity of research that includes the relationship between harm and censorship. Additionally, music therapy research and education identifies the need for culturally responsive practices, however have not included censorship and its effects on the therapist and participants in this movement. In this study seven participants engaged in one semi-structured interview to describe their experiences and relationships with self, clients, coworkers and larger institutions when experiencing censorship practices. Results demonstrate three overarching themes of values and beliefs, responses and navigating power in relationships. Each theme had at least three levels which described the experience of the client, therapist, co-workers and institution. These narratives and results suggest the need for continued research and discussion in the music therapy community on harm that may occur through censoring songs and experiences and ethical implications.
Show less - Year Issued
- 2023
- Author
- Emily Boyce
- Sub-title
- An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
- Title
- Experiences of Trust in Music Therapy
- Abstract
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This qualitative thematic analysis explored children’s varying degrees of trust during music therapy after having witnessed domestic violence. As rates of domestic violence increase across the United States, children’s sense of trust is affected and there is a need f...
Show moreThis qualitative thematic analysis explored children’s varying degrees of trust during music therapy after having witnessed domestic violence. As rates of domestic violence increase across the United States, children’s sense of trust is affected and there is a need for further music therapy research from the perspectives of these children. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with four child survivors of domestic violence after receiving four months of music therapy to explore how they understand and experience trust, as well as how trusting relationships are established and maintained with a therapist. Additional questions considered personal qualities that lead to trust or distrust, aspects of music therapy experiences that lead to additional trust in the therapist at different times, how experiences of trust change over time, what contributes to this change, and how the sociocultural locations of the therapist and child influence trust. The findings demonstrated that trust is a complex process that evolves over time and depends on certain qualities in a therapist, familiarity, and various aspects of music therapy. Three main themes with 13 sub-themes were found: qualities for trust and distrust (qualities that increase trust, qualities that decrease trust), process of developing trust and overall evolution (initial distrust/trust, insecurities and fears from participants’ past, familiarity leads to trust, connection to family/friends, feelings and experiences with trust, builds over time), and qualities of music therapy experiences (autonomy and choice, familiarity and predictability, types of instruments, types of experiences, music contains a wide range of expression). Findings provide recommendations for how practicing music therapists can create a trusting therapeutic relationship with child, adolescent, and adult survivors of domestic violence.
Show less - Year Issued
- 2023
- Author
- Ashely Doron
- Sub-title
- Perspectives of Child Survivors of Domestic Violence
- Title
- Unhoused Veterans’ Experiences of Song Sharing in Music Therapy
- Year Issued
- 2023
- Abstract
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The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of adult male veterans experiencing homelessness or poverty participating in group music therapy in a medium intensity residential treatment program. The intent was to gather service users’ perspectives about h...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of adult male veterans experiencing homelessness or poverty participating in group music therapy in a medium intensity residential treatment program. The intent was to gather service users’ perspectives about how music therapy, and the effectiveness of song sharing in particular, is useful to them in this context and what about it has been helpful. The study utilized thematic analysis with the intention of highlighting the voices of unhoused male veterans as limited research exists on song sharing within this group context, and particularly less that highlights the voices of the participants. Through qualitative analytic procedures, 4 overarching themes encapsulated the experiences of the participants: song sharing (1) is a positive experience, (2) integrates client choices to build community and connection, (3) supports relationship with music, and music (4) elicits a variety of responses. Each theme and 18 preliminary subthemes are outlined and discussed in detail, along with implications for music therapy practice and future research.
Show less - Author
- Brianna Webster
- Title
- Teacher preparedness for educating students with emotional disturbances within the inclusive setting
- Year Issued
- 2022
- Abstract
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Approximately fourteen percent or 6.7 million school age children in the United States have a disability. Of those fourteen percent of students, it is estimated that 335,000 or five percent of those students qualify under the criteria of emotional disturbance (Nation...
Show moreApproximately fourteen percent or 6.7 million school age children in the United States have a disability. Of those fourteen percent of students, it is estimated that 335,000 or five percent of those students qualify under the criteria of emotional disturbance (National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 2020). Many of these students are included with general education peers and taught by general education teachers. While the teachers strive to implement supports and services to provide an equitable education, it appears that teachers do not enter the field with foundational knowledge or practice. Research has focused on pre-service teacher programs as well as preparedness of teachers to work with students of specific disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder and students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Other research has focused on teacher's literacy in the field of mental health and awareness around mental health needs of students. This study aims to bridge the gap between these areas of research. The study design utilized an interview of twelve current general education teachers to gain information regarding teacher’s pre-service training and experience in supporting students with emotional disturbance within the inclusive setting. Information gained from this study can inform future programming for general educators to best support students with emotional disturbance in the inclusive setting.
Show less - Author
- Susan Stegman
- Title
- Transition experiences of college students with disabilities between high school graduation and enrollment in postsecondary education and its correlation with student self-determination, college readiness, and registration for disability services during the freshman year of college
- Year Issued
- 2022
- Abstract
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Students with disabilities who do not receive effective transition planning during their high school years may lack self-determination skills and be ill equipped to advocate or conjure up the skills necessary to independently self-disclose for the receipt of accommod...
Show moreStudents with disabilities who do not receive effective transition planning during their high school years may lack self-determination skills and be ill equipped to advocate or conjure up the skills necessary to independently self-disclose for the receipt of accommodative support services at the post-secondary level. This study sought to identify the relationship between these variables.
Show less - Author
- Melinda Phillips
- Title
- Trauma-informed care
- Abstract
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Trauma exposure during adolescence is common and has dramatically increased nationally. Trauma exposure is associated with emotional, mental, and behavioral problems, such as, depression, anxiety, delinquency, substance abuse, suicidality, and posttraumatic stress di...
Show moreTrauma exposure during adolescence is common and has dramatically increased nationally. Trauma exposure is associated with emotional, mental, and behavioral problems, such as, depression, anxiety, delinquency, substance abuse, suicidality, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Darnell et al., 2019). While new legislation, programs, and school leadership have sought to address these problems, no significant changes have been documented. At the forefront, teachers witness students’ mental health needs, in conjunction with declining academic performance, behavior, socialization, and emotional state. Further studies must be conducted to gain the teachers’ perspective on trauma-informed care (TIC) in order to provide critical information to educational leadership and policymakers in hopes of solving or at least reducing these problems. Such information was gathered in this phenomenological research study, where interviews were conducted with five secondary general education teachers within public school systems in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Data was collected by asking the participants open-ended questions about their perceptions of trauma-informed care and students with a trauma background. The research questions focused on teacher’s knowledge of TIC, school policies on TIC, the vital components, and critical issues of providing TIC to students, the importance of addressing trauma-based mental health needs, and ways districts can provide more support for teachers. Next, the data, via transcribed interviews, was hand coded to ensure a rich and in-depth description is obtained through analyzing data for nuance and phraseology. Using the hand coding through the iterative approach, the investigator explored the major themes and subthemes within the data by analyzing the frequency of the word or phrases used most often, comparing participant responses, while using guiding theories and research questions. Based upon the results of this study, the following respective themes emerged: secondary general education teachers’ understanding of trauma-informed care is varied; communication, differentiation, and flexibility are current supports implemented to address students’ with a trauma background; overall professional development related to trauma-informed care is lacking; and barriers to addressing and supporting students exposed trauma are lack of professional development, training, confidentiality, retraumatization, and lack of communication. Ultimately, these research findings may enhance forthcoming professional development, trainings, best practices, and established literature pertaining to trauma-informed care.
Show less - Year Issued
- 2022
- Author
- Nicole Burson-Belcher
- Sub-title
- exploring the perceptions of secondary general education teachers
- Title
- Special education teacher and administrator perception of the teacher evaluation process in western Pennsylvania
- Year Issued
- 2022
- Abstract
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Teacher evaluations have long been used to increase teacher effectiveness and accountability in public schools. According to the literature, special education teachers have varied roles and responsibilities, the most crucial being improving the post-secondary outcome...
Show moreTeacher evaluations have long been used to increase teacher effectiveness and accountability in public schools. According to the literature, special education teachers have varied roles and responsibilities, the most crucial being improving the post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities. With the number of students identified with disabilities increasing each year, it is more important than ever to develop the skills of marginal teachers and further develop those who are already proficient. This qualitative study investigates the perceptions of special education teachers and administrators in Western Pennsylvania regarding the evaluation process used by public school districts. Survey data were collected from five special education teachers and five administrators representing five different school districts in Western Pennsylvania. Data tools included the Teacher Evaluation Profile for Teachers and Administrators, followed by individual interviews via Zoom. The Teacher Evaluation Profile had Likert-type questions and open-ended responses. The Likert-type questions, open-ended responses, and subsequent interviews allowed special education teachers and administrators to reflect on their perception of the evaluation process in their district. This study demonstrated that special education teachers are more frustrated with the evaluation process. However, the administrators were reasonably satisfied with the process. They found that using Differentiated Supervision allowed special education teachers to take a more active role in their evaluation and subsequent professional development decisions. This study resulted in findings that support the need for additional professional development for teachers and administrators in evidence-based practices in special education classrooms and a more significant presence in the special education classroom by administrators.
Show less - Author
- Amanda White