Degree Name
EdD (Doctor of Education)
Program
Educational Leadership
Date of Award
12-2023
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Pamela Scott
Committee Members
Ginger Christian, William Flora
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological, qualitative research study was to examine teachers’ perceptions of school administrators’ support of collaborative planning in small rural schools. Although there has been much research conducted on teacher collaboration through Professional Learning Communities, there has been little documentation of teacher collaboration in small rural schools (DuFour et al., 2020; Hansen, 2015; Moore, 2018). This research study examined teachers’ perceptions of collaboration and the role that school administrators play in the work to establish, support, and maintain collaborative teaming structures.
Data collection strategies included individual interviews of practicing teachers, serving in small rural schools. Analysis of data occurred in three phases: transcribing interviews, line-by-line coding, and member checking. Analysis of the data revealed the following themes that highlight the need for school administrators to (a) establish teaming structures, (b) provide needed resources, and (c) create a culture of collaboration. Recommendations are provided for school administrators’ practice of supporting professional collaboration and suggestions for future research are provided.
Document Type
Dissertation - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Bettis, Brian A., "Professional Collaboration in Small Rural Schools: Teacher Perceptions of the Role of School Administrators" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4311. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4311
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Educational Leadership Commons, Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration Commons