03/30/2022
By Lizzie Casanave
The School of Education invites you to attend an Ed.D. Dissertation Defense by Lila Sumer on “A Descriptive Case Study of Warm Demanders: Warm Demander Traits and the Mitigation of Disproportionality in Discipline.”
Date: April 11, 2022
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: This will be a virtual dissertation defense via Zoom. Those interested in attending should contact Stacy_Szczesiul@uml.edu to request access to the Zoom link.
Dissertation Chair: Stacy Szczesiul, Ed.D Associate Professor, School of Education, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Dissertation Committee:
- Robai Werunga, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Hilary Lustick, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Abstract:
Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) programs are intended to address the disproportionality evident in discipline data in secondary schools across the nation. As currently conceived, there are PBIS programs that are inadequate in addressing this disproportionality, especially when taking into account the negative impacts of exclusionary disciplinary practices on students of color. In order for it to be more culturally responsive, attention must be given to the professional learning needs of teachers, particularly as they relate to developing warm demander pedagogy across classrooms. This descriptive case study aims to learn about and from three case study teachers working at Justice High School (JHS). The effective implementation of discipline policies and the setting high academic expectations, which are at the core of warm demander pedagogy, can contribute to student academic success and reduce office discipline referrals. There is much to be learned from warm demanders, and this learning can be applied to expanding warm demander pedagogies across JHS classrooms through quality professional development for teachers.