Research has widely documented the high stress levels posed to college students by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the role of social support in mitigating the mental health impacts of stressors like residential instability among college students is less well-researched. Using data from a multi-campus online survey of college…

This paper explores the 2013 merger between Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools. The paper looks at this merger through a historical and philosophical perspective. At the core of the paper, it analyzes the effects of the merger and what role leadership and community opposition played in shaping its legacy.

Mezirow (1991) defines transformative learning as a theory about constructing meaning, not just about knowledge acquisition, and the construction of meaning is about learning through critical reflection, rather than mindlessly or unquestioningly acquiring frames of reference through life experiences. Mezirow (1997) emphasizes that transformative…

Following her displacement from her native land as a result of the Arab Israeli war in 1967, a Palestinian child relocated to a new home as a refugee. As people find meaning in their environments they chose to live in, and build their identity through engaging in meaningful occupations, such forced displacement left her with many challenges, and…

From 2006 to 2008, refugee resettlement agencies brought 4018 refugees to Chicago, Illinois. Using the example of the challenges faced by 14 refugee students from Burundi in adjusting to the U.S. school system, the authors call the attention of schools to the distinction between educating English Language Learners (ELL) and Educating Culturally…

Following wars and natural disasters, individuals and their families face displacement from their native land and relocate to a new location where they become refugees. As occupational beings, people find meaning in their environment and build their identity through engaging in meaningful occupations. The environment plays a role in shaping the…

The papers contained in this document represent the keynote addresses, refereed and non-refereed conference papers from the 22nd National Conference of Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia (SPERA). The theme for this national conference was: Community Diversity and Innovation in Rural and Remote Education and Training. Keynote…