Voices Of Teachers Research Articles

“Doin’ diversity” in teacher education: beginning Black teacher discourses on learning to teach for diversity

The voices of Black preservice teachers are largely missing from discussions about teacher diversity, and one place this is evident is in teacher education diversity coursework. This article shares findings from a qualitative study using critical race methodology with five novice Black teachers’ experiences in teacher education courses focused on diversity in education. Three semi-structured life history interviews were conducted for each teacher and data were analyzed using zoom model analysis. Findings revealed that during their preservice experiences in teacher education diversity courses, Black teachers experience such learning spaces in alienating ways despite entering the program with strong commitments to improving education outcomes for Black children. Findings demonstrate that teacher educators and teacher education programs must raise the expectations for engaged learning in the diversity course in order to better support Black teachers and contribute to diversification of the teaching force in meaningful ways.

Actions That Build Peace from the Voices of Teachers Affected by the Armed Conflict in Colombia

For decades, the armed conflict in Colombia has profoundly impacted across various domains, causing psychosocial, economic, environmental, political, and moral damages throughout the country. One of the most affected sectors has been education, which involves all stakeholders within the educational system, particularly teachers who have directly or indirectly experienced this violence. This article, stemming from research on the resignification of armed conflict and peacebuilding, focuses on how teachers have transformed these impacts into educational actions that contribute to peacebuilding. We analysed the experiences and reflections of 412 participating teachers on-site in five conflict-affected zones in Colombia. Four main categories emerged: (1) psychosocial actions, (2) responsible teaching practices, (3) pedagogical actions, and (4) discussion and reflection spaces. These findings reveal insights not only about the actions that foster peace through school activities but also those within homes and, importantly, the work on oneself. While these actions may not be adopted by all teachers and do not guarantee immunity against future violent events, we believe this analysis could greatly benefit humanity. It prepares us to prevent and confront various forms of aggression, while also assisting in reframing everyday events that could nurture a vulnerable society suffering in silence.

Defining Trauma-Aware Voice Pedagogy with Recommendations for Practice

Abstract: There is increasing interest in how to define and practice trauma-informed voice pedagogy. Voice teachers sometimes feel a need to react to trauma-related responses during lessons or to contextualize interactions between trauma experience and voice use, yet clear guidance on defining and implementing trauma-informed voice teaching is not routinely available. This paper includes an overview of trauma-informed practice and discusses implications for voice pedagogy, specifically singing teaching. It offers recommendations for singing teacher practice, with the aim of identifying and underlining teacher responsibilities regarding reasonable and ethical trauma-aware approaches to voice pedagogy.

Teachers as first responders in marginalized, urban communities: Stress and coping during unprecedented times for public education

The present study examines workplace priorities, challenges, and experiences of burnout and coping among teachers in marginalized urban communities, where structural barriers elevate job demands and minimize job resources. Specifically, we amplify the voices of public elementary school teachers in an urban hub of Florida during a time of unprecedented stressors (COVID-19, staff shortages, racial injustice, school shootings) to identify possible avenues of support. Participants (N = 12) were teachers in grades 3 through 5 from one large urban district; six participants served predominately Black or African American students, and six participants served predominately Hispanic students. All teachers self-identified as female and from a racially and/or ethnically minoritized background themselves. Semi-structured interviews (conducted remotely by the first author) were organized around five questions. Qualitative content analysis highlighted two core priorities (support students holistically and address interconnecting social emotional skills and academic success) and two core challenges (mismatch between administration expectations/supports and teacher needs/values, and difficulty managing student behavior). Teachers attributed the ubiquitous experience of burnout to factors at levels of work (e.g., responding to student stressors and traumas on top of curriculum demands), organization (e.g., poor compensation, excessive work demands), and society (e.g., school shootings, COVID-19), and they offered concrete recommendations for improving their work conditions. Altogether findings inspire opportunities to reevaluate supports for teachers serving as first responders for youth in marginalized urban communities.

Flipping the Voice Pedagogy Frame: Background, Foundation, and Framework

Abstract: Most music degrees focus on developing successful performers in lieu of developing proficient voice teachers. While they may take one voice pedagogy course as part of their curriculum, most singers do not receive focused training in educational principles. This article presents (1) a foundation for designing learning objectives using Bloom’s revised taxonomy, (2) a rationale for using a flipped pedagogy model, and (3) case study examples for using these models within a voice pedagogy curriculum. This framework develops and refines both marketable voice teaching abilities and so-called “soft skills” for musicians enrolled in voice pedagogy courses.

The Corrective Exercise Continuum as a Paradigm for Vocal Conditioning

Abstract: The exploration of methodologies which place an emphasis on a systematic approach to voice teaching have proven widely beneficial for voice teachers and voice-care professionals alike. A systematic approach to voice teaching ensures that singers are equipped with a process that is replicable. In this article, associate editor Justin John Moniz investigates the benefits of science-informed practice through the lens of the corrective exercise continuum and offers singer-specific considerations for vocal conditioning.

Vocapedia Reborn: A True Wiki Resource for Voice Teachers

Abstract: Vocapedia is NATS’ online information resource. In existence since 2014, Vocapedia has recently undergone a transformation into a true wiki format. In this article, the author reviews the history of Vocapedia, discusses its new format, and urges voice teachers, collaborative pianists, choral directors, speech language pathologists, voice researchers, and others who enjoy and study the voice to contribute to the resource and to refine and update its content.

Can a zoom class be dialogic? An examination of a virtual English methods class

Purpose Synchronous virtual classes are becoming more common as universities expand access. However, instructors can feel hesitant as they move to a new style of teaching, especially if they are not sure their chosen pedagogy will work with virtual instruction. The purpose of this dialogic analysis is to examine the experiences of a dialogic teacher in a synchronous virtual English methods course. Design/methodology/approach The 75-min methods class met on Zoom twice a week. Class sessions were recorded. Dialogic analysis was used to analyze moments of whole-class discussion to explain what kinds of discussions happened and determine to what extent the class functioned as a dialogic class. Findings Overall, there was more student voice than teacher voice, and students spent over a third of the class in small group discussions. Even though the teacher still took over, and controlled discussions, the overall class maintained dialogic teaching principles. Despite this, the professor felt displaced for three reasons. In addition, some ideas for increasing the dialogic nature of the class are mentioned. Originality/value Synchronous virtual teaching will continue to grow, but as instructors move to that format, they can examine whether their pedagogies match the format. This paper explored one professor’s pedagogy of dialogic teaching and its compatibility with synchronous virtual teaching. This method of self-analysis could work with any pedagogy and could help instructors be successful in a new format.

Voices of Elementary Computer Science Teachers: Computer Science Integration Rationales and Practices

Objectives . Computer Science (CS) education has become increasingly prevalent in elementary schools because of multiple rationales, such as the importance of computational literacy and the growing demand for CS-related workforce preparation. As elementary CS standards continue to be adopted by many states, more examples and voices from the field may help educators understand what effective computational thinking (CT)/CS integration looks like in practice. Method . We employed a descriptive qualitative approach to study eight award-winning K-8 CS teachers and aimed to answer three research questions: (1) What were elementary CS teachers’ rationales for CT/CS integration? (2) How do elementary CS teachers integrate CT/CS into their classroom practices? (3) What are the needs of CS teachers for meaningful CT/CS integration in elementary schools? Data were collected through interviews, a questionnaire, and artifacts and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings . Our findings of elementary CS teachers’ rationales for CT/CS integration encompassed its essential nature as a literacy skill, its potential to promote equity in education, and its alignment with standards across various disciplines. To support CT/CS integration at the elementary level, CS teachers described important aspects with examples from their instructional practices: (a) Real-world applications; (b) hands-on activities; (c) strategies to scaffold and guide student learning; (d) collaboration with classroom teachers; and (e) support from professional development (PD). Conclusion . The study results shared CS teachers’ voices from practice and shed light on the urgent need for more support and PD opportunities for both homeroom teachers and CS teachers in elementary schools, as well as the crucial need for multiple levels of support within K-12 school systems. Continuous efforts in creating systematic and sustainable PD plans and supporting collaborative professional communities for teachers within the instructional context are a must to help prepare our elementary students with the essential CS knowledge and skills they need to thrive in this technology-rich society.

Myths and Realities of Rural Schools. The Voice of Families and Teachers

Introduction. By invoking Shakespeare’s famous query, ‘to be or not to be, that is the question,’ this study examines rural schools by exploring the beliefs and myths surrounding them and contrasting these perceptions with the realities of daily life in 6 unitary rural schools located in the northwest of Spain. Aims. This study aims to listen to and shed light on the perspectives and feelings of families and teachers in rural schools with multi-grade classrooms. Method. Using a multiple case study design and triangulating qualitative instruments (photovoice, incomplete sentence prompts, and observation), we analyzed the evaluations and experiences of 76 families and 18 teachers concerning the context, the educational practice, and the internal sphere of rural schools. The data were processed through content analysis using ATLAS.ti 22 software, resulting in the identification of 8 categories and 3 dimensions: space and resources, coexistence, teaching and learning in rural schools. Results. The findings reveal several myths and idealizations held by teachers and families regarding the following aspects: the natural rural environment; facilities, infrastructures, resources, and services; coexistence; individualisation, multi-grade classrooms, and academic performance in rural schools. Conclusions. The study concluded that some of these myths do not align with the actual conditions of the studied environment. Rural schools can offer authentic, high-quality learning experiences on equal terms with other educational institutions, dependent on the mediation of the teaching teams that work in them. The study allows for reflection and provides information not only to visibility of rural schools and empower them but also to make decisions enable their educational improvement.

Reflecting the voices of EFL teachers in the world of Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Assessment (ICALA): an insight into teacher immunity, reflective teaching, job satisfaction, and L2-teacher grit

Artificial intelligence (AI) and Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Assessment (ICALA) are transforming the educational landscape by radically changing how lessons are taught and students are evaluated. As the masterminds behind the curriculum, it is critical to consider the emotional and mental health of teachers who applied ICALA as part of their language instruction. To this end, this study’s primary objective was to examine the connections between ICALA, teacher immunity, reflective teaching, job satisfaction, and l2-teacher grit. To achieve this goal, 221 English as a foreign language (EFL) university teachers from Afghanistan participated in the current research. The research outcomes identified and quantified the influences of teacher immunity and reflective teaching on job satisfaction and L2 teacher grit by data screening utilizing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). According to the results, TI and RT are vital in implementing AI into language assessment by maintaining an uninterrupted JS and L2TG. The study’s ramifications are further elaborated upon.

국어교사의 음성에 대한 고등학생들의 선호도 및 감정 반응 조사 연구

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the voice of Korean language teachers preferred by students by examining the preferences and emotional responses of high school students to the voice of Korean teachers. Methods To this end, after producing a test tool consisting of a questionnaire and 12 audio data of Korean teachers, 514 high school students were selected as subjects for the study to investigate the preference and emotional response. Results First, high school students tended to prefer voices that make them focus on classes, accurately convey the contents of the class, and prevent them from getting sleepy. Second, It was found that high school students' preference for the voice of Korean teachers was moderate. Third, there was no significant difference in students' preferences according to the presence or absence of voice problem of Korean teachers, but there was a significant difference in preference according to gender and career. Fourth, it was found that abnormal voices evoke more negative emotions in students than normal. Fifth, it was found that there was a positive correlation between the positive emotions and preferences of Korean teachers, and a negative correlation between negative emotions and preferences. Conclusions Korean teachers need to check and manage their voice usage patterns in order to enhance students' task performance and concentration, and in particular, they need to adjust their voice so that they can elicit a positive response from students so that they do not get bored. In addition, when a Korean teacher controls the voice in class, the situation of the class, such as the number of students and the structure of the classroom, should be considered. Finally, in order to create voice education materials for Korean teachers, it is necessary to analyze the voice usage patterns of highly experienced teachers.

Predicting teacher voice behaviour: The influence of distributed leadership, psychological empowerment and power distance orientation in Kuwait

Teacher voice behaviour is a significant instrument for developing positive change, better decision-making and raised school efficacy at an educational institution, with a principal's leadership facilitating this mechanism. The purpose of this study is to investigate how and under what conditions a school principal's implementation of distributed leadership affects teacher voice behaviour within their school. Data from 1024 teachers across 36 public schools in Kuwait was examined using regression analysis and bootstrapping methods. This research examined a moderated mediation model of distributed leadership effects upon teacher voice behaviour, with teacher psychological empowerment included as the mediator and power distance orientation as the moderator. Results revealed a partial mediation model and found that distributed leadership had significant direct and indirect effects upon teacher voice behaviour. Power distance orientation negatively moderated the relationship between psychological empowerment and teacher voice behaviour. This study contributes to existing distributed leadership literature by identifying psychological empowerment as an additional mediator, and power distance orientation as a boundary condition, in the relationship between distributed leadership and teacher voice behaviour. This study's findings could provide the conceptual basis for interventions designed to promote teacher voice behavior.

Because of thương: Listening to the voices of Vietnamese early childhood educators

This paper explores the self-authoring of two early childhood educators in Vietnam’s disadvantaged areas, Ha and Dong, to understand their marginalization and resilience in their daily practices. Guided by a Bakhtinian view, teachers’ self-authoring is conceptualized as an ongoing process in which the teachers articulate authoritarian discourses, and integrate them with their ideas to develop their internally persuasive discourses—their own knowledge of themselves as professionals. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews and photo elicitation; and analyzed in parallel with Bakhtin’s theoretical concept of self-authoring and the post-structuralist feminist approach. The findings represent the political, social, and gendered discourses addressing and being addressed by the preschool teachers. The study suggests that compassion and devotion to work for children contribute to the teachers’ making sense of their professional roles. This paper calls for a need to center the voices of Vietnamese early childhood teachers in policy-making, teacher training, and research practices, towards educational sustainability.

An investigation of toddler risky play informed by the voices of parents and teachers of toddlers in one school setting

ABSTRACT This qualitative study explored the perceptions of teachers and parents within the context of toddlerhood risky play at a university laboratory school. Sociocultural and bioecological theories informed the study and the developmental niche framework guided the data analysis. Video-stimulated recall interviews were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Findings include: (1) parents’ and teachers’ perceptions of risky play are comprised of (a) their psychology as the caregiver, (b) knowing the child, and (c) cultural influences, (2) parent and teacher descriptions of risky play include that it happens outdoors, away from adults, and encompasses developmental benefits, and (3) the development of perceptions of risky play is situated and dynamic. This study contributes important knowledge to the field of early childhood education by offering a new perspective regarding the definition of risky play revealing how parents’ and teachers’ perceptions of risky play are situated in their own past experiences, knowledges, and interactions.

Bridging the gap: voices of teachers on inclusive literature

ABSTRACT This study explored teachers’ perspectives on utilising existing children’s books for students with intellectual and additional disabilities. 58 teachers from Israeli special education schools and kindergartens revealed widespread dissatisfaction with available materials. Strikingly, 70.7% were unsatisfied with existing children’s books, and 94.7% believed there were not enough accessible options. Qualitative analysis identified five major barriers: excessive text, inappropriate content for older age groups, challenges with the physical structure of books, mismatches between text and visuals, and specific challenges for teachers of children with multiple disabilities. These findings underscore the substantial need for more accessible literature tailored to the needs of children with disabilities. Despite legislation mandating societal inclusion of people with disabilities, teachers’ dissatisfaction highlights gaps in addressing their students’ literary requirements. The results shed light on these teachers’ vital roles in adapting books and indicate the need for greater collaboration between teachers, publishers, and policymakers. By highlighting the voices of frontline professionals, this study provides a crucial call to action to develop high-quality, customised educational resources for children and young people with disabilities.

The interplay of context and need: unravelling the interwoven threads of teachers’ professional learning/development

AbstractDespite the growing emphasis on professional learning/development, a significant gap exists in the design and implementation of current professional learning/development programs, often failing to integrate the voices of teachers regarding their learning needs and interests. Our study, conducted across primary and secondary schools in the Greater Adelaide region, reveals that these programs dictated by school improvement plans, often sideline teachers’ perspectives. This paper presents practising teachers’ perspectives on their learning needs. It also examines the perceived barriers to addressing these needs, incorporating insights from teachers and school leaders utilising a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews. While aligning with recent literature, our study’s findings uncover complexities in the educational system that influence meeting teachers’ learning needs, using a unique theoretical framework to interpret the data.

Supporting Teacher Wellness: Administrator Insights on Protecting Teacher Vocal Health

ABSTRACT Studies show that significantly more teachers experience voice complaints than individuals in other professions. In order to better understand voice complaints, the researchers interviewed 30 administrators (elementary, middle, and high schools) from five school districts. Researchers analyzed the principals’ responses through a series of coding, resulting in four emerging themes: (1) the impacts of teacher voice complaints, (2) administrators’ responses to teacher voice complaints, (3) a lack of policy and infrastructure around teacher vocal health, and (4) voice enhancement systems as a type of policy. The results include citations of principals’ responses and analysis of literature that provide possible implications and suggestions for administrators. Researchers conclude that administrators have various perspectives of teacher voice complaints, but generally administrators feel they need more awareness and information to support and inform their teachers on this health issue.

Perception of voice and hearing in teachers who carry out classes online in Chile

Introduction: Teachers are vulnerable to vocal and hearing health problems due to the characteristics of their work, such as prolonged use of the voice and exposure to noise. This study seeks to establish the relationship between the type of audio device used, volume, hours of online work, and teachers' self-perception of voice and hearing.Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 462 teachers (378 women and 84 men) between 21 and 40 years of age. An online survey was applied that collected data on the use of audio devices, sound level, and self-perception of voice. Significant differences by sex were analyzed and correlations were determined using statistical tests.Results: The results show that women tend to use more built-in microphones and speakers than men and report a more negative perception of their voice compared to men. A significant correlation (0.8999, p<0.00001) was found between the number of hours of online teaching and voice perception, where longer working time is associated with worse self-perception.Conclusions: Teachers mainly use built-in microphones and speakers, and their voice perception deteriorates as the hours of online class work increase. The need to implement prevention programs in vocal health and the use of devices that minimize the impact of environmental noise on their performance is highlighted.

“To Help the Singer”: Recognizing the Scholarship of Martha Gerhart

Abstract: Pianist Martha Gerhart’s long career has been dedicated to the preparation and performance of classical vocal repertoire. Her work, part of professional operatic productions for decades, has also resulted in dozens of printed resources, many of which are used by nearly every singer, voice teacher and coach in North America. Among many other scholarly credits, she is the translator for the Hal Leonard aria anthology series: through this alone, Gerhart’s work has impacted thousands of people. This article aims to foster recognition of the many contributions of this unsung hero in the classical vocal world.