This dissertation examines (1) the factors that mediate the ways in which preservice teachers perceive the relationship between the frameworks of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Culturally Relevant Pedagogy (CRP) and (2) how experiences with observing and designing instructional activities aligned with UDL and CRP principles influence…

The proposed study investigated the training and practice of school psychologists who work or have recently worked with the early childhood population (children 0-5 years old). The sample included 179 school psychologists within the United States with experience with young children. Participants completed the Early Childhood School Psychology…

This study examines the relationship between a preservice teacher's early field experiences and ratings given by their cooperating teachers during student teaching. Educator preparation programs have long been tasked with providing quality education to future teachers as they prepare them for a career in the P-12 classroom. Part of this…

This study applied situational leadership and transformational leadership theories to discern essential elements of principal preparation program field experiences and internships that contributed mostto principal effectiveness. Identifying critical components of principal preparation field experiences and internships were imperative to ensure…

Occupational therapy education standards have recently changed to require students to demonstrate knowledge and use of the safe and effective application of physical agents. This change, which occurred in 2020, is more rigorous in the area of deep thermal and electrotherapeutic agents than in previous revisions. This mixed-methods convergent study…

Fieldwork education is a critical component in occupational therapy education, aiding in the transition from classroom learning to practical application. It has been cited recently that therapists have expressed concern regarding student preparedness for fieldwork in a hand therapy setting. Hand therapy is a specialty practice area where…

While there are examples of strong teacher preparation programs throughout the country, too many of them do not provide teachers with a rigorous, clinical experience that prepares them for the schools in which they will work (Duncan, 2011; Greenburg et al., 2011; Levin, 2006). The purpose of this study was to examine teacher candidates'…

The purpose of this study was to describe how particular field experiences prior to teacher certification should contribute to a teacher's effectiveness, specifically teaching in an urban environment, through a basic qualitative study. Guided by the frameworks of self-efficacy and self-cognition, this was achieved through a two phase qualitative…

This study addressed the challenge of connecting elementary teacher candidates' course work and fieldwork in order to foster a cohesive experience in learning to teach mathematics. In this study, a Mediated Field Experience was designed for five elementary teacher candidates in their internship setting. The study utilized qualitative methods to…

Preservice teachers (PSTs) in teacher education programs frequently experience a disconnect between coursework and fieldwork, often referred to as the theory-practice gap. This study considered the mediated field experience (MFE) as a pedagogy that may help to bridge this divide in mathematics education by encouraging the creation of a hybrid…

Research on first-generation college students' (FGCS) is centered around cultural, demographic, and personal characteristics and structural barriers that adversely impact their persistence and graduation from postsecondary institutions. Literature is limited in its examination of how FGCS' utilize their personal strengths and assets, institutional…

Task selection is a critical element of mathematics teaching because mathematical tasks differ in the mathematical opportunities made available to students. Thus, it is important to examine both the tasks that PSTs chose and why they were chosen. This study examines the task selection of 10 pre-service teachers (PSTs) in a middle grades…

In an effort to make science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers more available to underrepresented minorities, informal science programs must continue to develop to heighten science and other STEM-based interest. These efforts have been challenged through programs offered at out-of-school-time (OST) facilities, referred to as…

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the impact of undergraduate preparation programs on novice elementary teachers in literacy instruction. The result of this examination adds to the body of research applied in the development and enhancement the overall learning experiences and preparation of teachers. This study identified…

Field experiences are regarded as the most effective way to prepare future teachers to be ready for the complexity and challenges found in the teaching profession (Phillion et al., 2005). Ill-prepared teachers may fail to gain fully from field experiences if they are not well prepared or do not value the activity as an out of class task (Hixon…