Ph.D., Antioch University, 2025, Leadership and Change

As schools increasingly adopt restorative practices, a parallel shift in leadership is occurring, challenging traditional leadership models like servant and transformational leadership. While research has largely focused on student outcomes, there is a critical gap in understanding how restorative practices influence school principals' leadership. Given their central role in sustaining and expanding restorative initiatives, this study aimed to address that gap by developing a definitional framework for restorative leadership, grounded in the experiences of women school leaders in grades 5 to 12. Using sensemaking theory, the research examined how leaders conceptualize and apply restorative values in practice. Key questions included how restorative leadership is understood, how it shapes leadership identity, and how it is enacted in practice. A mixed-methods design was employed, integrating survey data (N = 52) and semi-structured interviews (N = 12). Findings revealed that while 51.92% of participants recognized the term “restorative leadership,” many were already practicing it without labeling it as such. Restorative leadership emerged as a dynamic process of knowing, being, and doing, rooted in self-awareness, relational repair, participatory decision-making, and collective well-being. It challenges hierarchical paradigms and fosters inclusive school cultures, with the potential to disrupt inequitable systems, improve school climates, and promote leader well-being. Based on these findings, several key recommendations for action are proposed: establishing Restorative Leadership Intensives (RLIs) to deepen principals' engagement with restorative practices, integrating restorative leadership into leadership development programs and professional certifications, advocating for gender-equitable leadership models that emphasize relational strengths, and embedding restorative practices into school policies to create inclusive cultures. These actions a (open full item for complete abstract)

Ed.D., Antioch University, 2025, Education

The persistent health disparities faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the United States are deeply rooted in systemic racism embedded within medical education and clinical practice. Historical acceptance of racial supremacy in the United States has shaped both the foundations and continued practices of medical education, leading to entrenched biases that affect healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. This dissertation critically examines the intersection of race, education, and health by analyzing how historical and contemporary understandings of race and ethnicity shape medical curricula, healthcare practices, and patient care. Through the integration of Critical Race Theory (CRT), Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), and ScT, this study deconstructs racialized knowledge systems in medicine and examines their impact on health equity. CRT provides a lens to analyze how systemic racism is embedded within medical education and practice, illuminating the ways racial bias is institutionalized and perpetuated in healthcare structures. SCT contributes by exploring how individuals internalize societal norms and beliefs, which influence the attitudes and behaviors of both medical practitioners and patients. Finally, ScT emphasizes the role of social networks and relationships, highlighting how disparities in access to healthcare resources and support systems affect health outcomes in marginalized communities. Together, these theories offer a comprehensive framework for understanding the layered and interconnected influences of race, education, and healthcare, guiding the study's aim to challenge and dismantle biased practices within medical training and clinical care. Chapters I and II introduce the research problem and establish a comprehensive foundation, outlining key theoretical frameworks—CRT, SCT, and ScT—while exploring the historical roots of racialized practices in medicine, including the legacy of unethical experimentation and the Flexner Report (open full item for complete abstract)

Ed.D., Antioch University, 2025, Education

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to observe the lived experiences of children while learning about place through a Kinship/Indigenous worldview and the impact of the experience on their love and care for place. The study unfolds from a theoretical framework at the nexus of critical theory, place-based education, and a Kinship/Indigenous worldview. The overarching question is, “Can teaching through an Original Kinship/Indigenous Worldview grow children towards connection and love for place?” Elementary students and their teacher explored one square block of the school community, illuminating a different aspect of our place daily through Kinship/Indigenous worldview Precepts (Wahinkpe Topa & Narvaez, 2022). Students constructed their knowledge of place from unseen organisms to the power systems present and developed an understanding of their impact on place. Data gathered included Natureculture (Haraway, 2003) journal notes, sketches, reflections, photovoice, and semi-structured interviews. Natureculture is a synthesis of nature and culture that recognizes their inseparability in ecological relationships that are both biophysically and socially formed (Fuentes, 2010; Haraway, 2003). Findings reveal that learning to see all elements of place/community through a Kinship/Indigenous worldview supports children in understanding interconnectedness, meaning children understand their connection to nature as a biological and cultural relatedness nurtured through connecting with all beings. Data was isolated, analyzed, and interpreted to illuminate themes giving voice to the lived experience of children learning about a place through an original kindship/Indigenous worldview and their shift to care for them. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership), Youngstown State University, 2024, Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Studies

The rapid ascent of increasingly capable artificial intelligence (AI) brings new potential to revolutionize education—for better or worse. This study investigates the attitudes of high school teachers toward the integration of Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer, commonly known as ChatGPT, to support teaching and learning. This research seeks to understand the key factors that influence teachers' acceptance or resistance to using ChatGPT, focusing on the potential benefits and challenges posed by this advanced AI technology. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) is used as the theoretical framework to forecast teachers' willingness to adopt ChatGPT for educational purposes. The research employs the quantitative attributes of a Q-methodological approach to classify and analyze the perspectives of high school educators. The study examines how some perceive ChatGPT as an asset to teaching and learning. Conversely, findings also illuminate concerns that ChatGPT will have a negative impact, thereby instilling a sense of caution about its integration. Participants in this study, 18 high school teachers, completed a web-based Q-sort that revealed three distinct viewpoints: Learning to Fly, Welcome to the Machine, and Comfortably Numb, which collectively accounted for 53% of the variability in the data. The results revealed varied opinions regarding technical confidence, openness to integration, perceived benefits, and potential liabilities. The findings provide insights into the diverse attitudes and beliefs held by high school educators regarding the educational use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT. The findings of this research contribute to the ongoing debate about the role of AI in education. The results emphasize a need for professional development programs to build teachers' capacity to effectively incorporate AI tools in the classroom. Ultimately, this study seeks to shed light on the factors that promote or inhibit the adopt (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership), Youngstown State University, 2024, Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Studies

Positive school environments have been shown to raise academic achievement. Youngstown East High School has had six principals in six years, and there has been a strong sense of disconnect from the community in their support (both academically and athletically) of the continuous changes that have been made in the Youngstown City School District. East High School has a 99.8% economically disadvantaged population with 13.6% being English Language Learners and 27.1% students with disabilities. Using Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) to address discipline to affect the management of absenteeism and academic interventions, what measures can be taken to raise the staff and student morale of the high school environment? How can Golden Bears Alumni contribute to the culture and climate as they relate the past to the present? Since the Youngstown City School District is focused on PBIS and must use the Academic Improvement Plan to completely move out of the watchful eyes of the State of Ohio, one must ask how, exactly, can culture and climate improve the academic and athletic performances of their students? How can the district build school pride within the school as well as the surrounding community? How can remaining alumni be used as resources to connect to outliers who could possibly invest in East High School? This study explores these questions by examining data on the effects of climate and culture within the school and community and its impact of school pride on academic achievement and athletic performance, with a specific focus on improving the school pride at Youngstown East High.

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2024, Educational Administration

Collaboration with others is an integral part of our development as people. In the realm of education, collaboration among faculty and staff has been found to be an asset to developing shared goals and successful educational outcomes. This mixed method action research study explores the backgrounds and perceptions of educators in regard to collaborative experiences in a private high school setting. Through a combination of demographic surveys, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group, four main themes emerged. These were motivations for collaboration, external factors that affect collaboration, effective collaborative practices, and the impact of collaborative group makeup. These findings were utilized to develop an action plan to create regular effective collaborative communities in this educational setting.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Educational Studies

As technologies emerge and create new job roles requiring new expertise, workplace learning and the role of instructional designer have become increasingly important. This study seeks to better understand the work of high-performing instructional designers and the ways in which they successfully create training materials to meet specific educational or performance objectives, specifically examining how instructional designers are trained for their work, how they interpret theories related to learning, to what extent those theories are consciously applied in the development of learning experiences, and how designers evaluate and engage with emerging technologies. Following an interview-based qualitative research methodology, the study combined a “think-aloud” strategy with stimulated recall, asking interviewees to share their reasoning for various design decisions while exploring an instructional artifact, something the participants had previously designed, such as a training website, an e-learning module, or an online course. In discussing their thinking and the motivations behind the various design choices, the 12 research participants—high-performing or expert-level instructional designers—illustrated how many of the “best practices” employed by instructional designers are supported by educational research, even when the designers themselves are unaware of the evidence supporting their use. These participants also shared how they approach professional development, highlighting the wide array of venues and sources for professional development, from podcasts and learner-directed study to conference presentations and practitioner-focused publications. Designers also shared how they evaluate emerging educational technologies, such as generative artificial intelligence, and how they determine whether such technologies might be useful for either the creation or delivery of educational experiences and training materials. The analysis of the discussion showed a spectrum o (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2024, Educational Leadership

This dissertation investigates the impact of digitalization on teachers' perceptions of their professional subjectivity and relationships within K-12 education in the United States. Assuming schools are political and ideological spaces, this project explores how digitalization informs teachers' identities, agency, and pedagogical values through a narrative inquiry approach. I conducted semi-structured interviews with eight teachers from five high schools in the Midwest, utilizing narratives analysis to examine their personal and professional stories. These interviews provided insights into how teachers navigate the tensions between digitalization's promises, impacts, and realities. By analyzing the narratives, I uncovered underlying values of relational democratic aims and ethics in education. Grounded in two central questions: how have teacher identity, subjectivity, and agency been challenged and uniquely developed within the digitalization of education and how teachers perceive its potential for fostering participatory agency – I utilize critical pragmatism and narrative analysis to highlight the tensions between the promise of digitalization and its practical realities that structure subjectivities. Teacher participants expressed frustration over students' struggles with technology, revealing a disconnect between the anticipated benefits and actual implementation. This project contributes to the literature by addressing the ethical implications of digitalization, arguing that while it has the potential to enhance educational practices, it often perpetuates ideologies that prioritize convenience and efficiency over relational values. Ultimately, this research advocates for more critical inquiry into digitalization, emphasizing the need for educational stakeholders to embrace the complexity and ambiguity to foster environments that uphold democratic educational values and relational ethics

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2024, Educational Administration

The retention rate in online doctoral programs is incredibly low; given the increase in popularity in online schooling, it is necessary for colleges and universities to start adapting the way they work in the online degree space. This dissertation in practice examines what it is that keeps students in the program outside of financial support. Three themes became evident in the review of related literature - faculty preparedness tied with student skill set, social interactions between peers, and coaching support that goes beyond academia - and the subsequent interviews highlighted a fourth theme missing from the review - that of self-determination or self-confidence. This study starts by examining retention in the online doctoral program at Midwestern University, where the problem of practice is set and provides an action plan for programs looking to strengthen the retention of their students in online doctoral programs.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership , Franklin University, 2024, International Institute for Innovative Instruction

Research shows that the at-risk population entering college dropout or land on probation within their first year in college. Through a longitudinal comparative research design, this study examines at-risk students' academic standing, retention, graduation, and tutoring usage within a cohort program compared to a non-cohort initiative at a community college. The analysis focuses on the at-risk population, exploring community college attendance, online education, student involvement, and social and academic integration. The study yielded several insights relevant to the impact of cohort design on a comprehensive approach that includes educational and non-academic support contributing to the development of evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for at-risk students. The findings can assist in enhancing the academic success, retention, and graduation rates of at-risk students. The study results can also help policymakers and higher education institutions make informed decisions about the effectiveness and potential benefits of cohort and non-cohort programs for at-risk students.

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2024, Leadership and Change

In higher education, the focus on student success often takes center stage in research and the professor-as-teacher practice. While numerous empirical studies concentrate on the growth and development of undergraduate students, this dissertation delves into professors' relational and felt experiences in positive teaching-learning relationships. Four terminal-degreed professors from four different schools and three different disciplines–education, humanities, and leadership–engaged in photography and were then interviewed. Participants reflected on their photographs and their experiences in a teaching-learning relationship with their students. The present study aimed to illuminate the unspoken language of connection by utilizing interpretive phenomenology and photovoice to uncover professors' relational and felt experiences and how these moments energize and rejuvenate them. Research revealed two overarching themes: generativity and seeing students' humanity; and five group experiential themes: foundational influences, relational proximity, intentional presence, assessment as a learning conversation, and feeling aligned. The theoretical foundation of this dissertation weaved together a diverse array of theories and concepts, including relational cultural theory (RCT), somatics, and embodiment. The insight from the literature combined with the findings from this study offer understanding in how professor-student relationships in higher education can be places of mutual empowerment, empathy, and mattering. By grounding the research framework in human interaction's relational and fluid, alive, and pulsating bodies, this dissertation contributes to a more humanized and inclusive understanding of the intricate relationships that shape higher education. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2024, Higher Education (Education)

The changes in medical education have not kept pace with societal expectations and the rapidly evolving business model for healthcare delivery. Meanwhile, the socialization process in medical education has remained relatively unchanged. This has resulted in physicians with a high level of technical competence but lacking a comprehensive understanding of the ethical pitfalls of being a physician. It is crucial for medical school leaders to develop proactive strategies that are coherent, coordinated, and explicit in training physicians capable of navigating conflicting values and managing transient stressors. The findings in this study challenge the fundamental premise that it is enough for medical school leaders to simply view professionalism as an array of behaviors expected of others who offer services according to a social contract. Nor is it sufficient to promote teaching professionalism guided by directives of prescribed and prohibited activities or by guidance from aspirational goals. Moreover, the means of assessing any behaviors deemed problematic or unprofessional are varied and imprecise, and they do not account for those behaviors that are hidden or unobservable. This study examined two relevant theoretical frameworks within moral psychology and social learning theory. Specifically, they include professional identity formation and communities of practice. These frameworks present different facets for viewing the fostering of professionalism in medical education through the lens of moral psychology and social learning theory. They provide greater detail, build upon, and occasionally challenge established theories based on cognitive theory and moral development. They may also serve as a beacon to higher education leaders by influencing support efforts to form the students' professional identity and identify communities of practice in the professional journey of medical students.

Doctor of Education, Miami University, 2024, Educational Leadership

In recent years, secondary education has experienced a significant transformation driven by the need to better prepare students for life beyond graduation. Central to this shift is the integration of Career Readiness Programs, which not only provide academic knowledge but also equip students with practical skills, vocational insights, and an understanding of professional landscapes. This study investigates whether an embedded Career Readiness Program influences the development and enhancement of partnerships between schools and businesses. Guided by Ohio's legislative framework, which emphasizes college and career readiness, this research explores how career readiness programs can foster effective collaborations between educational institutions and the business sector. The study employs a qualitative case study methodology to understand how these partnerships evolve and their impact on students' preparedness for post-secondary pathways. The data collection involved face-to-face interviews with business representatives and school personnel directly engaged with the Career Readiness Program. Thematic analysis of the interview notes revealed patterns and themes that highlighted the potential of these programs to bridge the gap between education and workforce demands. The study's findings suggest that integrating Career Readiness Programs strengthens school-business partnerships by aligning educational practices with industry needs, creating opportunities for internships, mentorships, and hands-on experiences. This collaborative approach not only enhances student readiness for professional careers but also benefits the local business community by developing a skilled workforce.

Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership), Youngstown State University, 2024, Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Studies

This mixed-methods study analyzes the perspectives of educators in middle school regarding the impact of cell phones in the middle school environment. Vygotsky's (1978) sociocultural theory of cognitive development along with opportunity theory (Cohen & Felson, 1979) provide insight regarding implications related to accessing personal devices during the school day. The advantages of cell phones as a learning tool and consideration for the adverse impact is explored. The current investigation focuses on the perspectives of 16 teachers, administrators, and school resource officers (SROs) working in the middle school environment. Data was collected using QMethod Software. Results yielded two factors, including participants who felt strongly about restricting cell phone use and those who felt strongly about banning cell phones in the middle school environment. Qualitative follow-up questions demonstrated common concerns regarding cell phone considerations within the middle school environment. Common themes included Problematic Internet Use (PMI), Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) considerations, peer relationships, stress, anxiety, and social perfectionism. Results can be utilized to inform discussion by school administrators and policymakers regarding cell phone use in the middle school environment.

EDD, Kent State University, 2024, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration

The purpose of this Dissertation in Practice is to explore my professional ethos as an educator. As a nomadic scholar-educator, without a permanent organizational or institutional framework within which to operate, I had no ready-made code of professional ethics or corporate ladder, no outside structure to guide my work. That is, until I embarked on this journey into philosophies of education and found that the post-critical approach to education has provided me with a way to talk about and frame my professional purpose. My study foregrounds/ explores some key characteristics of a post-critical definition of education and being-a-teacher to demonstrate their applicability to my understanding of myself as an educator. By viewing a number of positions and projects with a post-critical eye, I have identified features of my work, like the teacher's love of a subject, a sense of educational hope, and a focus on affirming the good in the world that can be passed on to the next generation. I have been able to weave together a myriad of experiences that I had not known how they were connected until I looked at them educationally. In this way, I have taken on a unique problem of practice—developing my professional ethos as a nomadic, post-critical educator.

Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership), Youngstown State University, 2024, Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Studies

In education, there is often a disconnect between theory and practice. Urban school counselors must balance the reality of their daily work with the standards set by the ASCA National Model (2019), widely regarded as the benchmark for K-12 school counseling best practices. This study aimed to describe urban school counselors' perceptions of their actual practices in relation to their designated roles and expected behaviors. This qualitative case study employed semi-structured individual interviews, a focus group interview, and a document review to capture the perceptions of 10 current urban school counselors about their role expectations, daily practices, and the ASCA National Model. There is a gap in the literature regarding the perceptions of urban school counselors and their beliefs about the ASCA National Model. This study sheds light on their experiences. The findings highlight the absence of a school counselor secretary and practice within an inverted multi-tiered model as factors in the urban setting that shape the urban school counselor role, diverging from current best practice theories. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the disparity between the actual daily practices of urban school counselors and their prescribed roles contributes to a decreased sense of professional self-efficacy and increased burnout. This study has implications for the role definition of urban school counselors and calls for a re-examination of current models of practice in the urban setting, better informed by practitioner voices. Educational leaders, school districts, counselor education programs, and urban school counselors may benefit from these findings.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership , Franklin University, 2024, International Institute for Innovative Instruction

K-12 schools in Ohio are partially evaluated on their ability to successfully graduate students with their four-year cohort. Educators have been tasked with improving graduation rates. This study examined one urban high school to understand and provide insights to increase its graduation rate. This school recently received a poor score from the State's Department of Education in relation to graduation success. The study sought to examine the following research question: How do recent graduates from the past two years describe what supported their motivation to reach high school graduation? As a dissertation in practice, a qualitative research design was implemented using basic interviewing techniques to examine the experiences reported by recent alumni from the graduating classes of 2022 and 2023. Through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study examined what participants deemed influential to their high school experience and, ultimately, their graduation. SDT provides a framework for understanding an individual's motivation through the basic needs of autonomy, competency, and relatedness (Deci & Ryan, 2000). Data supported the importance of these SDT concepts on participants' motivation during high school, leading to their timely graduation. Seven significant themes with an additional seventeen subthemes were established during data analysis. Major themes followed the SDT concepts of autonomy, competency, and relatedness. Themes included participants' sense of lack of control regarding high school career, internal ownership of academic success/outcomes, disruptive behavior effect on the learning environment, welcoming behavior from peers and staff (school climate), the role of the family in academics, the role of staff in academics, and lesson presentation. Findings from this study will be provided to the participants' alma mater to support educators as they implement academic planning and develop school programming.

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2024, Educational Administration

The purpose of this study was to bring awareness to the many roles schools play in the lives of young people, their families, and their community. The COVID-19 pandemic brought to the surface the need for people of the community to cooperate and care for one another. This qualitative research study will add to the school district's knowledge and understanding that the impact of social-emotional teaching and learning greatly affect students' success in school. Additionally, a student's connection to school and academic learning can enhance their educational experience. Both students' and teachers' experiences around collaboration also amplify their engagement and motivation to succeed. Two focus groups, one of teachers and one of students, were administered to collect the qualitative data. The results of their testimony were reviewed, and the data revealed the need for an action plan that invites all members of the school neighborhood to participate in social events and workshops, thereby creating a community in practice that centers and uplifts students so they may find even more value in the educational experience

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2024, Educational Administration

This dissertation examines parents and teachers' perceptions of effective parental involvement in education, situated within Epstein et al.'s (2009) framework of six typologies of parental participation. The study, through a comprehensive comparative analysis, reveals critical insights into the disparities and commonalities in how parents and teachers perceive effective parental involvement and its impact on student achievement. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating quantitative measures of parental and teacher perceptions alongside qualitative insights gained from the Turkleton Community Schools (TCS) environment.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership , Franklin University, 2024, International Institute for Innovative Instruction

The underrepresentation of African American male teachers in K-12 education significantly impacts educational equity and student success, especially in urban areas where these students often lack relatable role models. Historically, African American males were a significant presence in teaching, but their numbers have drastically declined since the Brown v. Board of Education decision. This shortage limits cultural representation and mentorship opportunities essential for the academic and personal development of African American male students. This qualitative phenomenological study, conducted within the Columbus City Schools system, explores the motivations of African American male teachers and their impact on students. Using Social Learning Theory and Social Identity Theory, the research involved in-depth interviews revealing key themes such as the influence of positive role models, the critical need for cultural representation, and the desire to mentor and advocate for young African American males. The study highlights the importance of targeted recruitment, supportive environments, and professional development programs to attract and retain these educators. Increasing the presence of African American male teachers enhances student engagement, achievement and fosters a more inclusive and equitable educational environment.