Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Mary Lynn Vogel

Committee Member

Kathleen Kardaras

Committee Member

Kimberly Durham

Keywords

social-emotional learning, high school education, academic gaps, COVID-19

Abstract

This phenomenological study was conducted to understand the lived experiences and perceptions of high school teachers returning to in-person instruction related to addressing the academic, social, and emotional effects of the pandemic on students. The phenomenological research methodology was used to examine how teachers experienced students’ social, emotional, and academic needs and to identify preferred practices to address these gaps following return to in-person learning. Identified best practices could be taught through professional development and instructional support. Six teachers in two school districts were interviewed. Findings indicated students showed lack of motivation, lack of interpersonal skills, and lack of social awareness, which teachers addressed by encouraging collaboration. To address student emotional needs, teachers incorporated social-emotional learning, emotional check-ins, and mindfulness practice. Cognitive gaps resulted in increased special education placements, requiring teachers to use curriculum supports to meet student developmental needs; teachers described a need for training in technology programs. Finally, teachers recommended professional development to build teaching pedagogy and self-efficacy; training instructional programs and technology; opportunities for teacher collaboration; and training in social-emotional learning programs, counseling supports and services, and administrative supports.

Download
To access this thesis/dissertation you must have a valid nova.edu OR mynsu.nova.edu email address and create an account for NSUWorks.

Free My Thesis

If you are the author of this work and would like to grant permission to make it openly accessible to all, please click the Free My Thesis button.

  Contact Author

Share

COinS