PK-12 Professionals’ Narratives of Working as Advocates Impacting Today’s Schools


Book Description

The PK-12 education system in the United States suffers from anti-democratic and authoritarian ideologies, policies, and power structures, leading to limited educational access and oppressive disciplinary practices for marginalized communities. PK-12 Professionals’ Narratives of Working as Advocates Impacting Today’s Schools offer a powerful solution to these challenges. This book comprises a collection of counter-narratives that empower educators, counselors, and stakeholders to challenge and disrupt the anti-democratic and authoritarian forces prevalent in schools. By sharing personal experiences, strategies, and recommendations, the book inspires academic scholars to reflect, (re)learn, and take action to support students, communities, and personal growth. It serves as a critical teaching tool, encouraging professionals to reimagine their practices and collaborate with others in creating inclusive, equitable, and transformative educational environments. PK-12 Professionals’ Narratives of Working as Advocates Impacting Today’s Schools present a path toward dismantling oppressive structures, ultimately advocating for an education system that prioritizes the needs and voices of all learners.




Emergent Practices of Learning Analytics in K-12 Classrooms


Book Description

In the world of education, technology has revolutionized teaching and learning practices globally. However, the widespread adoption of technology, especially in response to Covid-19, has led to a deluge of data from students' digital footprints. The challenge lies in effectively using this data through learning analytics (LA) to optimize K-12 classroom practices. Emergent Practices of Learning Analytics in K-12 Classrooms, edited by Dr. Nurdan Kavakl? Uluta? and Dr. Devrim Höl offers a comprehensive solution to these challenges. This book gathers academic scholars to explore practical perspectives on applying learning analytics in K-12 classrooms, combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Addressing topics such as predictive analytics, ethical considerations, and future directions, it empowers educators to make data-driven decisions, creating engaging learning experiences for improved student outcomes. By embracing the insights and recommendations presented in this book, academic scholars can confidently navigate the realm of learning analytics and shape the future of K-12 education.




Cultivating Literate Citizenry Through Interdisciplinary Instruction


Book Description

The role of literacy instruction extends far beyond traditional English language arts classrooms. Cultivating Literate Citizenry Through Interdisciplinary Instruction delves into the necessary concepts within the realm of literacy across and within various academic disciplines. From the foundational core courses of English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies to enriching extracurricular pursuits like agriculture, theater arts, visual arts, and kinesiology, this book encapsulates the essence of fostering literacy competencies in all domains. This comprehensive resource caters to a diverse audience, spanning preservice and in-service teachers, teacher educators, district and school leaders, and educational researchers. It is a versatile tool, ideal for integrating literacy methods courses focusing on content-area and disciplinary literacy instruction across all age groups. Practicing teachers will find it an invaluable resource for their ongoing professional development, while educational leaders will gain profound insights to inform their instructional support strategies.




Modern Early Childhood Teacher Education: Theories and Practice


Book Description

Early childhood education is the decisive period of a student’s life experience where the foundations for lifelong learning are laid. A dynamic interplay of individual and collective experiences unfolds within its organized environment, fostering holistic growth, development, and the safeguarding of young minds. The significance of these formative years cannot be overstated; they are a cornerstone of education, shaping more than half of an individual’s future learning trajectory. In a world driven by international imperatives and national priorities, the establishment of robust early education policies has emerged as a pressing need within the broader Early Childhood Development program. Modern Early Childhood Teacher Education: Theories and Practice delves into the multifaceted tapestry of early school education, dissecting its historical underpinnings while navigating the complexities of contemporary educational paradigms. The book unfurls a comprehensive exploration of diverse global early schooling systems, dissecting their historical trajectories and contemporary challenges. It assumes the role of a scholarly guide, not only for practicing early education teachers but also for aspiring educators preparing to embark on their journey into the realm of pre-school and primary education. Additionally, it stands as a forum for the global exchange of pedagogical insights, fostering a community of academics, researchers, and practitioners committed to advancing the field of early education. The pages of this book resonate with the echoes of critical topics such as contemporary challenges in early schooling systems, innovative teaching resources tailored for young learners, the intricate nuances of digital education in the formative years, and the pivotal role of early education as a catalyst for broader educational and cultural policies.




Using STEM-Focused Teacher Preparation Programs to Reimagine Elementary Education


Book Description

There has been an increasing issue in STEM education as many students lack interest and knowledge in STEM disciplines and fields. Given the high demand for STEM workers, and the projected growth of STEM fields, it is important to expose students to STEM education beginning as early as elementary school. Some K-6 programs are not preparing teacher candidates adequately for STEM content or skills, especially in engineering. Integrating these disciplines and practices throughout elementary education programs could result in more exposure for K-6 students. Using STEM-Focused Teacher Preparation Programs to Reimagine Elementary Education presents anecdotal stories of how elementary education programs have altered their content offerings, field experiences, and curricula to expand their teacher candidates’ knowledge and exposure to STEM disciplines and fields. Covering key topics such as diversity, teacher education, and technology integration, this premier reference source is ideal for industry professionals, policymakers, administrators of K-12 education, pre-service teachers, teacher educators, researchers, scholars, academicians, practitioners, instructors, and students.




Parental Influence on Educational Success and Wellbeing


Book Description

Within parenting, a complex dynamic emerges as empirical research intersects with practical applications. Parental Influence on Educational Success and Wellbeing navigates uncharted territories in parenting research, tackling pivotal issues like culture, minority experiences, lifespan perspectives, disabilities, and the convergence of medical and legal dimensions. Its uniqueness lies in theoretical exploration and in providing tangible solutions—offering parents concrete best practices and strategies. This book is an indispensable resource for parents seeking to navigate the multifaceted challenges of nurturing their children in diverse contexts. By integrating insights from various dimensions of parenting research, the book equips parents with a nuanced understanding of how their actions reverberate through their child's life, influencing academic achievement and emotional well-being.




Gender Diversity and LGBTQ Inclusion in K-12 Schools


Book Description

This exploration of effective practices to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and gender-diverse students in elementary, middle, and high school contexts focuses on curriculum, pedagogy, and school environment. Narratives and artwork from the field are framed by sociocultural and critical theory as well as research-based elaboration on the issues discussed. Applications of antidiscrimination law and policy, as well as learning skills like creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking help teachers tackle some of the most significant educational challenges of our time. The stories of real-world practices offer encouragement for building inclusive environments and enhancing social-emotional relationships among youth, families, and schools. Gender Diversity and LGBTQ Inclusion in K-12 Schools provides a helpful roadmap for educators hoping to create safe and empowering spaces for LGBTQ and gender-diverse students and families.




Queering Classrooms


Book Description

Teacher Education programs have largely ignored the needs of LGBTIQ learners in their preparation of pre‐service teachers. At best in most of such programs, their needs are addressed in a single chapter in a book or as the topic of discussion in a single class discussion. However, is this minimal discussion enough? What kind of impact does this approach have on future teachers and their future learners? This book engages the reader in a dialogue about why teacher education must address LGBTIQ issues more openly and why teacher education programs should revise their curriculum to more fully integrate the needs of LGBTIQ learners throughout their curriculum, rather than treat such issues as a single, isolated topic in an insignificant manner. Through personal narratives, research, and conceptual chapters, this volume also examines the different ways in which queer youth are present or invisible in schools, the struggles they face, and how teachers can be better prepared to reach them as they should any student, and to make them more visible. The authors of this volume provide insight into the needs of future teachers with the aim of bringing about change in how teacher education programs address LGBTIQ needs to better equip those entering the field of teaching.




Strengthening School Counselor Advocacy and Practice for Important Populations and Difficult Topics


Book Description

School counselors often struggle to feel confident in delivering effective assistance to students due to a variety of reasons that currently do not have enough research or information developed. This leads to a struggle for counselors to adequately address tough and relevant issues. With these issues remaining unaddressed, or addressed less effectively, there is a concern that school counselors cannot mitigate these issues due to not being adequately informed. This can lead to a lifetime of consequences for students. Strengthening School Counselor Advocacy and Practice for Important Populations and Difficult Topics presents emerging research that seek to answer the tough and often unaddressed questions, target present-day issues of student populations, and prepare school counselors to feel confident and competent in their counseling and advocacy practice. These chapters, using the newest information available, will address these concerns and provide the best counseling work possible for underserved populations. While covering research on counseling for students with chronic illnesses, mixed-statuses, family issues, minority students, LGBTQ+ youth, and more, this book is ideal for school counselors, counseling educators, practitioners, stakeholders, researchers, academicians, and students who are interested in school counseling and meeting the needs of diverse and important populations of students.




Handbook of Research on Teachers of Color and Indigenous Teachers


Book Description

Teachers of Color and Indigenous Teachers are underrepresented in public schools across the United States of America, with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color making up roughly 37% of the adult population and 50% of children, but just 19% of the teaching force. Yet research over decades has indicated their positive impact on student learning and social and emotional development, particularly for Students of Color and Indigenous Students. A first of its kind, the Handbook of Research on Teachers of Color and Indigenous Teachers addresses key issues and obstacles to ethnoracial diversity across the life course of teachers’ careers, such as recruitment and retention, professional development, and the role of minority-serving institutions. Including chapters from leading researchers and policy makers, the Handbook is designed to be an important resource to help bridge the gap between scholars, practitioners, and policy makers. In doing so, this research will serve as a launching pad for discussion and change at this critical moment in our country’s history. The volume’s goal is to drive conversations around the issue of ethnoracial teacher diversity and to provide concrete practices for policy makers and practitioners to enable them to make evidence-based decisions for supporting an ethnoracially diverse educator workforce, now and in the future.