Papers by Dr. Yanira Oliveras-Ortiz
Through a qualitative case study, the authors explored the work of practicing principals and coac... more Through a qualitative case study, the authors explored the work of practicing principals and coaches at a university charter school in East Texas. The goal of the study was to understand how educators use teacher observations to inform their efforts of developing teachers and how they strategically individualize the development of teachers through job-embedded professional development. Through the tiered system examined, the school leaders can prioritize time and resources based on the needs of the teacher, as determined by data. The obstacles and challenges these principals have faced can inform policy and practice by reiterating the importance of understanding the difference between evaluation and supervision while, understanding the practices that promote individualized teacher support to enhance teaching and learning.
Strategic Leadership in PK-12 Settings
Educational leaders in rural schools across the world face distinctive challenges. In this chapte... more Educational leaders in rural schools across the world face distinctive challenges. In this chapter, the authors report the findings of two studies examined through narrative inquiry conducted in a Garifuna and Ketchi Mayan village in Central America. The case studies explore the role of the principal as a strategic leader to improve the education system, and the impact of these leaders in their communities. By sharing these stories, the authors illustrate the importance of strategic thinking, as well as both transformative and servant leadership to promote change.
Journal of Education
Through a conceptual framework focused on student engagement, this article explores students’ per... more Through a conceptual framework focused on student engagement, this article explores students’ perceptions about the impact the design of learning environments has on student engagement. The current mixed-methods study was conducted at two Texas replacement elementary schools where the entire learning community, all teachers, administrators, staff, and students, moved from an old building to a new building. Through the qualitative component of the study, student focus groups, the study explores the attributes of design and spaces that students value and perceive as having an impact on their learning and engagement. Students’ perceptions demonstrate that learning environments impact student engagement.
Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership
A Mayan woman principal taking a position in a historically paternalistic village in Southern Bel... more A Mayan woman principal taking a position in a historically paternalistic village in Southern Belize faces inevitable challenges due to the cultural structure of the village. In this case, the challenges go beyond cultural norms. Mrs. Po, a Mopan woman leading a school in a Kekchi village, faces challenges related to her role as a teaching principal in a multigrade school, her lack of leadership preparation, the remoteness of the village, and the language barrier, among others. The reader is encouraged to ponder the myriad of issues that impact the principal’s efforts to improve the education system while working in a village where the community struggles to perceive the value of education.
Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership
A Mayan woman principal taking a position in a historically paternalistic village in Southern Bel... more A Mayan woman principal taking a position in a historically paternalistic village in Southern Belize faces inevitable challenges due to the cultural structure of the village. In this case, the challenges go beyond cultural norms. Mrs. Po, a Mopan woman leading a school in a Kekchi village, faces challenges related to her role as a teaching principal in a multigrade school, her lack of leadership preparation, the remoteness of the village, and the language barrier, among others. The reader is encouraged to ponder the myriad of issues that impact the principal’s efforts to improve the education system while working in a village where the community struggles to perceive the value of education.
Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership
A Mayan woman principal taking a position in a historically paternalistic village in Southern Bel... more A Mayan woman principal taking a position in a historically paternalistic village in Southern Belize faces inevitable challenges due to the cultural structure of the village. In this case, the challenges go beyond cultural norms. Mrs. Po, a Mopan woman leading a school in a Kekchi village, faces challenges related to her role as a teaching principal in a multigrade school, her lack of leadership preparation, the remoteness of the village, and the language barrier, among others. The reader is encouraged to ponder the myriad of issues that impact the principal’s efforts to improve the education system while working in a village where the community struggles to perceive the value of education.
Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership
A Mayan woman principal taking a position in a historically paternalistic village in Southern Bel... more A Mayan woman principal taking a position in a historically paternalistic village in Southern Belize faces inevitable challenges due to the cultural structure of the village. In this case, the challenges go beyond cultural norms. Mrs. Po, a Mopan woman leading a school in a Kekchi village, faces challenges related to her role as a teaching principal in a multigrade school, her lack of leadership preparation, the remoteness of the village, and the language barrier, among others. The reader is encouraged to ponder the myriad of issues that impact the principal’s efforts to improve the education system while working in a village where the community struggles to perceive the value of education.
Scholars have generally accepted the notion that context and students’ response to the environmen... more Scholars have generally accepted the notion that context and students’ response to the environment influence their engagement in learning. Hence, a qualitative study was conducted to explore the impact purposefully designed learning spaces have on student engagement in a career-inspired high school. Focus groups were conducted before and after the move to a new high school. Through the group interviews, students engaged in discourse about the impact purposefully designed learning spaces have on their engagement in learning. The findings indicate that the students recognized the instructional importance and the impact of their new spaces. The student voices provide educators and architects insight into the design elements students value. For educators, the student voice informs educational processes and has implications for curricular design and delivery, leveraging purposely designed learning spaces and student preferences to achieve the best education possible. For architects, and other design professionals, these student voices detail the types of spaces that should be incorporated in order to ensure learning efficiency, learning preferences, and interdependence space.
Through a conceptual framework focused on student engagement, and modern learning environments, t... more Through a conceptual framework focused on student engagement, and modern learning environments, this paper explores students’ and teachers’ perceptions about the impact the design of learning environments has on student engagement. The data were collected at two Texas replacement elementary schools where the entire learning community, all teachers, administrators, staff, and students, moved from an old building to a new building. Through student focus groups and teacher surveys, the study explores the attributes of design and spaces that students value and perceive as having an impact on their learning and engagement. Students’ and teachers’ perceptions demonstrate that learning environments impact student engagement. The attributes of the spaces valued by learners must be further explored by school designers and educational leaders.
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Papers by Dr. Yanira Oliveras-Ortiz