Files and links (1)
PDFOpen Access (License Unspecified), Open Access
Dissertation
Examining the lived experiences of K-5 principals' leadership of prioritizing health and wellness subjects and diversifying the teachers' workforce: a phenomenological study
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
May 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011031
Abstract
This hermeneutic phenomenology study examined the leadership, lived experiences, values, and beliefs of ten elementary school principals in the Northern Region of New Jersey. The research centered on a closely related set of tensions that K-5 principals encounter in relation to health and physical education (HPE). Specifically, the study explored the challenges faced by principals in balancing the school's daily schedule to accommodate both tested subjects and HPE, as well as the need to hire diverse teacher applicants who are certified in HPE. Additionally, the research investigated the principals' understanding of a whole-child approach to enhancing the health and wellness of their students' learning environments. The study emphasized the significance of allocating dedicated time in the daily schedule for HPE instruction, delivered by certified teachers who comprehend the lived experiences and cultural backgrounds of their students. The three research questions that guided the study were: 1) What experiences do K-5 principals share regarding the prioritization of health and wellness subjects in their schools? 2) How do K-5 principals describe the value of state legislation specific to health and wellness subjects within their schools? 3) In what ways do K-5 principals perceive the impact of teacher diversity in health and physical education on student learning and school culture? Data were collected using qualitative interviews, focus groups, and a demographic survey. The major findings were as follows: (1) K-5 principals disclosed internal and external factors that hinder equitable content scheduling, 2) K-5 principals value health and wellness, 3) elementary principals acknowledged HPE teachers as an asset to the school community, and 4) Health and physical education subjects have a positive impact on students' academic outcome. Recommendations from these findings serve as a foundation for future local, state, and national initiatives aimed at creating actionable strategies for innovative system-level change in all elementary schools for healthier generations of students taught by certified instructors who mirror the diversity of the student body. Keywords: diversifying the teacher workforce, elementary principals, health and physical education, legislative mandates, prioritizing health and wellness subjects.
Metrics
41 File views/ downloads
28 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Examining the lived experiences of K-5 principals' leadership of prioritizing health and wellness subjects and diversifying the teachers' workforce
- Creators
- John Leonard Parham
- Contributors
- Cameron Kiosoglous (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xii, 162 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022058835704721