Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Education
First Advisor
T. Hunter Strickland, PhD
Abstract
This study sought to describe secondary English teachers’ experiences with text selection. Its first aim was to determine how secondary English teachers perceive the use of young adult literature (YAL) with adolescent students. The study also details factors that influenced teachers’ text selections. Finally, the study describes how teachers’ perceptions of administrative support influenced their self-efficacy.
The study was conducted using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), a qualitative research method that employs in-depth, semi-structured interviews to develop descriptions of participants’ experiences. Participants included six secondary English teachers from a school district in the southeast United States. Teachers completed a survey about their individual contexts and then participated in interviews.
The study revealed a number of findings. First, although participants view YAL as beneficial to adolescents, only half incorporated it in their curricula while all included canonical texts. Also, teachers considered numerous factors when selecting texts, including standards, skills, content, and time. Teachers’ responses revealed feelings of guilt, shame, stress, and fear in relation to the texts they teach. Teachers indicated overall that they perceive having autonomy in text selection but doubt receiving support if those texts were challenged.
Finally, the study’s findings indicated the need for support from educational and curriculum leaders. Leaders must be aware of best practices in selecting and defending texts for classrooms. Leaders must also provide preservice and inservice teachers training in selection and defense of texts that meet students’ needs. Finally, leaders must work to ensure that the academic, social, and emotional needs of students and teachers are met so that the goals of their schools can be accomplished
Recommended Citation
McAlister, Selene S., "Up for the Challenge? A Phenomenology of Secondary English Teachers' Text Selection Experiences" (2024). Dissertations. 35.
https://digitalcommons.andersonuniversity.edu/dissertations/35