Novice clinicians often start their careers in community and agency settings without a comprehensive understanding of how counseling theories are developed, tested, and applied in the real world (Smith et al., 2024, under review). This can lead to feelings of academic and professional underdevelopment and self-doubt about their preparedness and…

This dissertation aimed to narrow the gap between learning and exercising leadership. It tried to address three main gaps in the field of leadership development assessment as its main research objectives: 1) the measurement gap which concerns the divergence between academic and industry perspectives on leadership development 2) the…

Many professions require continuing education to comply with practice and state licensure requirements, yet little is known about how learned information is transferred into practice. Using a qualitative descriptive case study research design, informed by E-Learning Systems and Knowledge Transfer theories, the application of learned principles…

With the rapid development of tourism in China, various economic sectors such as agriculture, sports, food and beverages, cultural heritage, and outdoor adventure have become integrated into the tourism industry. China's tourism industry has changed and these changes now require tourism practitioners to adapt. Chinese universities must also adapt…

With the rapid development of tourism in China, various economic sectors such as agriculture, sports, food and beverages, cultural heritage, and outdoor adventure have become integrated into the tourism industry. China's tourism industry has changed and these changes now require tourism practitioners to adapt. Chinese universities must also adapt…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a professional learning intervention on conceptual coherence and inquiry orientation for teachers and leaders participating in a K-12 Mathematics Committee (N = 18). This 9-month mixed methods single case study, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, was designed using the principles and…

This dissertation explores the integration of Place-Based Scientific Inquiry (PBSI) into science education through participatory design-based professional development for instructors at Sky School, an outdoor education program in southern Arizona. PBSI emphasizes student-centered, inquiry-driven, experiential learning grounded in outdoor contexts.…

The school-based occupational therapy practitioner's role is to support children and youth's participation in the school environment (Cahill, 2020). To do this, practitioners must use evidence-based practice, which includes being up to date and knowledgeable with current strategies, interventions, and understanding how to implement those with the…

This three-paper self-study dissertation explored the process of becoming a teacher with a focus on the emotional dimensions of teaching. Becoming a teacher is a complex, emotionally demanding process (Kelchtermans & Deketelaere, 2016) and teachers' emotions impact student achievement, motivation, and well-being (Balanescu, 2019). While…

New graduate nurses often lack the clinical decision-making skills that are essential for developing clinical competency. Critical thinking abilities are essential for nursing excellence and professional competency. However, little is known about nurse educators' techniques and teaching practices for developing students' critical thinking. The…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Restorative Justice Practices (RJ/RP) strategies being implemented at one urban elementary school that were shown to be highly effective in reducing suspensions and discipline infractions, and isolate key factors critical to the implementation of this approach. In this qualitative embedded case…

In higher education, numerous experiential learning programs are offered to enhance students' learning, including international travel programs, immersion programs, internship programs, and service-learning programs. Although students participating in these programs are each higher education institution's number one stakeholders, rarely are they…

Engineering students entering the workforce often struggle to meet the competency expectations of their employers. Guided by constructivist theory, the purpose of this case study was to understand engineers' experiences of engineering education, deficiencies in practical skills, and the self-learning methods they employed to advance their…

This study is an examination and evaluation of the outcomes of a series of courses that I helped build to create a graduate certificate. Specifically, I wanted to evaluate whether or not the online iteration of the "Informal Science Institutions Environmental Education Graduate Certificate Program" truly provided the long term…

The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which professional development programs within EARCOS member schools are consistent with research-based principles of effective practice. In addition, this study sought to identify the professional development opportunities that are being provided to EARCOS teachers. Finally, this study…