The natural pedagogy hypothesis proposes that human infants preferentially attend to communicative signals from others, facilitating rapid cultural learning. In this view, sensitivity to such signals is a uniquely human adaptation and as such nonhuman animals should not produce or utilize these communicative signals. We test these evolutionary…

This qualitative study examined how novice leaders perceive mentoring in the development of their leadership identity in higher education. The study explored novice leaders in higher education and the tools needed to develop their leadership identity. Mentoring was examined as a tool that provides a strong support structure and supports the…

Youth with disabilities benefit from being included in extracurricular activities. However, often youth with a disability do not participate in extracurricular activities. The purpose of this basic, qualitative study was to explore the experiences of Extension Youth Development Professionals (YDPs) as they serve youth with disabilities in their…

The Georgia 4-H program is the largest youth organization in the state and empowers youth participants to become autonomous and productive members of society. 4-H involvement has been linked to positive youth development outcomes, including leadership and vocational skills, increased self-confidence, and meaningful relationships. The focus of this…

Discussions and practices focused on Black boys' literacy development and equity in U.S. classrooms require serious thought and interrogation if the aim is to move these boys toward advanced levels of reading, writing, intellectual development, and human development. Sorely, Black boys have become subjects of educational, programming, and policy…

Prior studies commonly emphasized the beneficial impacts of a growth mindset on students' success and well-being. However, recent evidence cast doubts on the ability of a growth mindset to optimize desirable achievement and psychological outcomes. This study contributes to this line of evidence by exploring the association of mindsets in talent--a…

This study explored how continuous diverse reflective exercises embedded in a Community Service Learning chemistry lab support science students' meaningful learning. The findings of this study are intended for those involved in teaching natural science in higher education, as well as those interested in Community Service Learning, self-directed…

Background: Adolescents with overweight or obesity are at greater risk of having physical and psychosocial consequences. With increased disparities and inadequate literature on prevalence of adolescent weight status in rural Appalachia, there is potential for further complications. Unfortunately, adolescent obesity treatment options are often…

STEM, STEAM education is important for building a better future, and teachers have a key role in attracting students to the field of STEM. However, when teachers need to shift from traditional disciplinary-based education to integrated STEM education, they often find this transition challenging. This difficulty arises because their beliefs about…

Since the 1970s, the incarcerated population in the United States has grown exponentially. The country currently has the highest incarceration rate in the world and disproportionately incarcerates members of marginalized communities despite the known negative impacts on life chances and prosocial behavior. Because of these established…

Often discussed as a support system or strategy linked with academic, social, and emotional benefits for its participants, mentorship is conducted in increasingly more diverse forms, and the discussion thereof has gained much traction in multiple domains. In China, mentoring has received increasingly more attention in recent years. Holistic,…

Occupational therapy literature contains little evidence of the added value of clinical doctorate education, the professional identity of a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, or distinctions between master's-prepared and doctorate-prepared occupational therapists. This study is intended to add to the literature base through the systematic and…

This study explored the intersection of Autistic burnout and educator burnout and it's the impact on mental health and wellbeing for Autistic educators in the United States. Through collaboration with five Autistic Community Partners (ACPs), the research team interviewed five Autistic Educators (AEs) who had left the field of education about their…

An autoethnographic study on the experience of a Midwest rural school counselor represents a personal and professional perspective on trauma, burnout, and posttraumatic growth. Content includes rural adversity, grief, and career progression. The research aimed to examine professional and private adversities to inform and improve the practice of…

Teacher retention continues to be a concern in public education. The concerns related to this negative trend were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and schools and school districts are finding themselves in a precarious position. Many states and local school districts are creatively utilizing alternative certification methods to increase the…