This dissertation investigated the lived experiences of non-binary counselors who face microaggressions within the counseling field. While existing research has explored microaggressions based on sexual orientation within counselor education programs, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding non-binary counselors specifically. This…

Workplace bullying within K-12 education settings has become an increasingly recognized concern, with potentially profound implications for educators' well-being. This quantitative research study aims to explore the phenomenon of workplace bullying among teachers and administrators in K-12 educational institutions. Findings from this study will…

Teachers and students constitute the primary relationship dyad in the school--the most common and routine interactions influencing the learning process. It is straightforward to observe the connection between teacher well-being and student well-being and learning; when teachers are well, they can more effectively address students' needs. When…

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the factors Vermont rural special educators reported as impacting their persistence and what institutional barriers and supports they identified as needing. The complexities and challenges experienced by all teachers, special educators, rural teachers, and rural special educators informed the…

The escalating challenges faced by educators highlight the urgent need to understand factors influencing their wellbeing. Teachers in the United States education system are stressed, burnt out, and leaving the field in unprecedented numbers (Sparks, 2022; Camera, 2022; Zamarro et al., 2021; Dabrowski, 2021; Hill-Jackson et al., 2022). It is…

Using an appreciative inquiry framework, this qualitative participatory research study identified opportunities to foster a more positive and sustainable work culture for parent-identified student affairs staff and beyond, built on existing elements that support thriving and work-life harmony in the profession. Participants self-selected to attend…

The American School Counselor Association states that school counselors are responsible for facilitating their students' personal, social, academic, and career development. Sometimes school counselors are called upon to do duties that have nothing to do with the field of school counseling. The problem addressed in this study was the need for…

Workplace violence (WPV) is a national and global concern. In the United States, individuals who work in the healthcare industries are at a greater risk of experiencing WPV, and the number of injuries associated with WPV is rising. Data indicates that not all incidents of WPV are properly reported. Research suggests that the impact of WPV includes…

The problem addressed in this study is most research shows the transition to remote work has negatively affected the well-being of higher education administrators required to work from home since the coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the experiences of higher education administrators working from home…

Teachers have faced unrelenting stress in recent years, especially since 2020. In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, the preeminence of racial injustice has resurfaced. In this context, teachers are processing acute societal-level stressors while simultaneously supporting their students in processing these events. Although emerging scholarship has…

This qualitative study examined the manifestation of work-related stressors that SAPros of Color who provide direct services and support to Students of Color working at a large, tier-one research institution experience. Additionally, this study explored participants' self-care behaviors and strategies used to cope and probed for potential…

Burnout has become a prevalent issue in workplace environments, significantly affecting individuals' mental, emotional, social, and physical well-being. This qualitative phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of burnout among community college counselors in Southern California, a group often overlooked in existing research. While…

This study aimed to understand the sources of stress new school leaders identify and how that stress influences them and what coping strategies or stress management techniques school leaders employ to stay healthy within this profession. Semi-structured focus groups were utilized to elicit thick, rich descriptions of participants' experiences.…

School superintendents face numerous challenges, high demands, and pressures from the community, school board, and stakeholders. State and federal accountability policies and mandates contribute to rising levels of stress for superintendents, which negatively affects their health and well-being. As a result, superintendents are leaving their…

This qualitative multiple case study aimed to understand how special education paraprofessionals, who work with students with low-incidence disabilities, experience stress and resilience through a compassion fatigue conceptual lens. I explored paraprofessional perspectives on stress factors relevant to workload and student challenges, along with…