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Transitioning First-Career Skills into a Second Career in Teaching Timothy Joshua Simmons

Liberty University School of Education

You are invited to be in a research study of highly effective second-career elementary school teachers. You were selected as a possible participant because (1) you are a highly-effective second-career elementary school teacher, (2) you are the principal of a second-career teacher who has agreed to participate in this study, or (3) you are an academic coach who serves at the school of a second-career teacher who has agreed to participate in this study. I ask that you read this form and ask any questions you may have before agreeing to be in the study.

Timothy Joshua Simmons (Josh), a doctoral candidate in the School of Education at Liberty University, is conducting this study.

Background Information:

The purpose of this study is to understand how first-career skills are utilized by highly-effective second-career elementary school teachers. Previous research has shown that second-career teachers draw from their first-career skills and experiences. However, little research actually describes the skills that lead to effectiveness in the classroom, and the majority of research focuses on secondary schools. This study will seek to identify and describe how the teachers’ first-career skills transition successfully to an elementary school classroom.

Procedures:

If you agree to be in this study, I would ask you to do the following things as a second-career teacher:

1.) Participate in a semi-structured interview that will be audio-recorded (1 hour).

2.) Email/share weekly lesson plans (minimal time to send to me since these are already required by the school).

3.) Maintain a reflective journal to be completed at least once a week for the duration of the data collection procedures in this study (8-10 weeks; 20-30 minutes per week).

4.) Participate in member checking, which involves the review of data to check for the researcher’s accuracy in the interpretation of the collected data (less than 1 hour).

If you agree to be in this study, I would ask you to do the following things as a school principal: 1.) Participate in a semi-structured interview that will be audio-recorded (1 hour).

2.) Participate in a focus group involving other principals and district academic coaches (1 hour). 3.) Participate in member checking, which involves the review of data to check for the

researcher’s accuracy in the interpretation of the collected data (less than 1 hour).

If you agree to be in this study, I would ask you to do the following things as an academic coach: 1.) Participate in a focus group involving school principals and district academic coaches (1 hour). 2.) Participate in member checking, which involves the review of data to check for the researcher’s

accuracy in the interpretation of the collected data (less than 1 hour).

All data collection procedures are confidential and pseudonyms will be used for each participant. Risks and Benefits of being in the Study:

The risks involved in this study are minimal, no more than the participant would encounter in everyday life.

The benefits to participation are improvements to teacher professional development, which can potentially lead to an increase in student learning. Participants (second-career teachers,

principals, and academic coaches) could develop an appreciation for the skills and experiences of second-career teachers in their schools/district; however, this benefit is not guaranteed.

Therefore, participants are not ensured a direct benefit from this study.

Compensation:

As a second-career teacher participant you will receive a $50 gift card for taking part in this study, since you will be asked to complete an interview, maintain a reflective journal, and provide copies of lesson plans.

As a school principal or district academic coach you will receive a $25 gift card for taking part in an individual interview and/or focus group.

Disbursement of payment will occur upon the completion of your required task(s).

Confidentiality:

The records of this study will be kept private. In any sort of report I might publish, I will not include any information that will make it possible to identify a subject. Research records will be stored securely and only the researcher will have access to the records.

Pseudonyms will be used for all participants. The information shared in the enlistment questionnaire regarding your years of experience, teaching assignment, undergraduate degree, and first career background will be reported in the study, but all of this information will be attached to the pseudonym. Audio recordings will only be accessed by the researcher as well as an outside person who will transcribe all recordings. All electronic data will be password protected, and all paper documents will be stored and secured in a safe. Due to the nature of a focus group, the researcher cannot assure that members of the group maintain confidentiality. Upon completion of this study, all data will be destroyed after three years. However, parts of this study may be submitted for publication in a scholarly journal.

Voluntary Nature of the Study:

Participation in this study is voluntary. Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future relations with Liberty University. If you decide to participate, you are free to not answer any question or withdraw at any time without affecting those relationships.

How to Withdraw from the Study:

If you choose to withdraw from the study, please contact the researcher at the email address or phone number included in the next paragraph. Should you choose to withdraw, data collected from you, apart from focus group data, will be destroyed immediately and will not be included in this study. Focus group data will not be destroyed, but your contributions to the focus group will not be included in the study if you choose to withdraw.

Contacts and Questions:

The researcher conducting this study is Timothy Joshua Simmons (Josh). You may ask any questions you have now. If you have questions later, you are encouraged to contact him at [email protected] or (423)220-6538.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this study and would like to talk to someone other than the researcher, you are encouraged to contact the Institutional Review Board, 1971 University Blvd, Carter 134, Lynchburg, VA 24515 or email at [email protected].

Please notify the researcher if you would like a copy of this information to keep for your records.

Statement of Consent:

I have read and understood the above information. I have asked questions and have received answers. I consent to participate in the study.

(NOTE: DO NOT AGREE TO PARTICIPATE UNLESS IRB APPROVAL INFORMATION WITH CURRENT DATES HAS BEEN ADDED TO THIS DOCUMENT.)

The researcher has my permission to audio-record me as part of my participation in this study

Signature:__________________________________________ Date: ______________