Mid-career Teachers' Motivation to Teaching and Their Growth in Their Profession

Similar to most careers, a teacher follows a career cycle: struggling in the beginning, as an expert in mid-career, and finally reaching end career. The mid-career teacher can be a school and district’s greatest asset; however, they can also fall into a mid-career slump with little room for professional growth and waning on intrinsic motivation. Through this mixed methods study, I will explore the mid-career teachers’ motivation to teaching and their growth in the profession. I will employ three research instruments to collect data: a Teacher Motivation Assessment Scale (TMAS) designed and validated earlier; a semi-structured interview protocol designed by the researcher; and a checklist to document the participants’ motivation and growth. Teacher instructional rounds designed to improve mid-career teachers’ motivation and growth were offered on one campus over a semester. Mid-career teachers participating in the teacher instructional rounds were compared before and after the rounds. The surveys showed statistically significant differences overall, but did decrease in some categories. These categories aligned with data obtained through the interview and self-checklist in terms of commitment and interest. Teachers were interviewed throughout the semester and all expressed positive attitudes in observing other teachers. Mid-career teachers also filled out a self-checklist of evidence for growth and motivation. Participants on average had more items reported on the checklist, but were lacking in areas of learning from peers and setting goals. The data showed patterns and needs in the mid-career educators that can help the educator, administrators and in the planning of professional development

Links Between Eruptive Styles, Magmatic Evolution, and Morphology of Shield Volcanoes: Snake River Plain, Idaho

Despite their similar ages and geographic locations, two low-shield volcanoes on the eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho, Kimama Butte (87 ka) and Rocky Butte (95 ka), have strikingly different profiles. In this study, these two volcanoes are examined to determine the connections between chemical composition, intensive parameters, eruption style, and topographic features of basaltic shield volcanoes. Because lava temperature, magma viscosity, and chemical composition overlap at the two volcanoes, they are probably not important controls on the differences in morphology. The main difference at the two shields, aside from general vent morphology, is the presence of late-stage, phenocryst-rich, high viscosity lavas that form high spatter ramparts at Kimama Butte but not at Rocky Butte. We conclude that phenocryst abundance, magma viscosity, and eruption style play the most important role in developing a shield volcano summit. Where eruptions shifted from lava lake overflow and tube development to late fountaining with short, viscous, spatter-fed, phenocryst-rich flows, a steeper, higher shield developed. The result can be used to better understand the eruptive processes of shield volcanoes on the Moon, Mars, and Venus that can only be studied morphologically

EDIBLE LANDSCAPE INITIATIVE: A SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT

Climate change is a wicked problem that is faced by every person on earth. Whether this impact comes in the form of food scarcity, weather changes, disease, or the destruction of homes and habitats makes no difference. While the climate does go through a series of changes and rotations, the changes that we are experiencing now are exponentially higher and thus more dangerous. Climate change has been fueled by an excess use of fossil fuels, an excessive amount of deforestation, and an excessive attitude of uncaring within large companies and governments that have the ability and power to create real change. This problem has only grown in the past years and will continue to grow unless a change is made within each citizen of the world. The Edible Landscape Initiative began as a group of honors college freshmen. Our passion for the environment brought us together to make an impact. The goal: is to create an orchard to bear fruit for the community, promote an ecocentric worldview, and spread the love of the environment across college campuses. By giving others the ability to invest in the environment through the establishment of orchards, we ensure future generations have effortless access, and the opportunity to cultivate a love for the natural world. The Edible Landscape Initiative group procured land, developed plans for the orchard (fruit trees, bushes, and pollinator/herb garden), gained necessary university approvals, and established ties with university communities to create a sustainability plan. Through crowdfunding, we raised approximately seven thousand dollars, developed service opportunities, and negotiated the purchase of all plants, soil, and tools (planted on April 24, 2021.) The success of this project stands as evidence that not only can students make a difference on their physical campus, but also in the mindset of those around them. In conclusion, the destruction that climate change causes will not be fixed with one change, but instead a change of mindset within a community is needed. One small orchard within a single community can help to inspire and grow an ecocentric mindset within areas around the community, country, and around the world. The Edible Landscape Initiative actively works to create a change within the world by creating a change within the minds of students who will go on to positively change the world.B.A

Cancer, Fertility Preservation, and Future Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review

Given the increases in 5-year cancer survival and recent advances in fertility preserving technologies, an increasing number of women with cancer are presenting for discussion of fertility preserving options. This review will summarize the risk of infertility secondary to cancer treatment, available treatment options for fertility preservation, and techniques to reduce future risks for patients. Concerns that will be addressed include the risk of the medications and procedures, the potential delay in cancer treatment, likelihood of pregnancy complications, as well as the impact of future pregnancy on the recurrence risk of cancer. Recent advances in oocyte cryopreservation and ovarian stimulation protocols will be discussed. Healthcare providers need to be informed of available treatment options including the risks, advantages, and disadvantages of fertility preserving options to properly counsel patients

Graduate students\u27 teaching experiences improve their methodological research skills

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduate students are often encouraged to maximize their engagement with supervised research and minimize teaching obligations. However, the process of teaching students engaged in inquiry provides practice in the application of important research skills. Using a performance rubric, we compared the quality of methodological skills demonstrated in written research proposals for two groups of early career graduate students (those with both teaching and research responsibilities and those with only research responsibilities) at the beginning and end of an academic year. After statistically controlling for preexisting differences between groups, students who both taught and conducted research demonstrate significantly greater improvement in their abilities to generate testable hypotheses and design valid experiments. These results indicate that teaching experience can contribute substantially to the improvement of essential research skills

Debrief on the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS)

What are the roles and responsibilities of U.S. academia in global fora such as the United Nations Food Systems Summit? In an effort to be better global partners, the Inter-institutional Network for Food and Agricultural Sustainability (INFAS) accepted an invitation to participate in the UNFSS. INFAS then convened a debriefing for our members to hear from our colleagues about their experiences and any outcomes that may have emerged from the Food Systems Summit. The Food Systems Summit process was deeply flawed, resulting in confusion and power inequities, yet it stimulated coalition-building and reflection on how and why to participate in global food governance

Screening volatile organics by direct sampling ion trap and glow discharge mass spectrometry

Two different types of direct sampling mass spectrometers are currently being evaluated in our laboratory for use as rapid screening tools for volatile organics in a wide range of environmental matrices. These include a commercially available ITMS ion trap mass spectrometer and a specially designed tandem source glow discharge quadrupole mass spectrometer. Both of these instruments are equipped with versatile sampling interfaces which enable direct monitoring of volatile organics at part-per-billion (ppb) levels in air, water, and soil samples. Direct sampling mass spectrometry does not utilize chromatographic or other separation steps prior to admission of samples into the analyzer. Instead, individual compounds are measured using one or more of the following methods: spectral subtraction, selective chemical ionization, and tandem mass spectroscopy (MS/MS). For air monitoring applications, an active sniffer'' probe is used to achieve instantaneous response. Water and soil samples are analyzed by means of high speed direct purge into the mass spectrometer. Both instruments provide a range of ionization options for added selectivity and the ITMS can also provide high efficiency collision induced dissociation MS/MS for target compound analysis. Detection limits and response factors have been determined for a large number volatile organics in air, water, and number of different soil types. 4 refs., 14 figs., 3 tabs

Monitoring Genetic and Metabolic Potential for In-Situ Bioremediation: Mass Spectrometry

A number of DOE sites are contaminated with dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) such as carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene. At many of these sites, microbial bioremediation is an attractive strategy for cleanup, since it has the potential to degrade DNAPLs in situ. A rapid screening method to determine the broad range potential of a site's microbial population for contaminant degradation would greatly facilitate assessment for in situ bioremediation, as well as for monitoring ongoing bioremediation treatment. Current laboratory-based treatability methods are cumbersome and expensive. In this project, we are developing methods based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) for rapid and accurate detection of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products from microbial genes involved in biodegradation of pollutants. PCR primers are being developed to amplify DNA sequences that are amenable to MALDI-MS detection. This work will lay the foundation for development of a field-portable MS-based technique for rapid on site assessment and monitoring of bioremediation processes

The “Ebb and Flow” of Documentation: Does the Transition Between Two Electronic Medical Records Systems Affect Emergency Department Efficiency?

Background: Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems are electronic databases for compiling patient records. As healthcare networks expand, it is critical for providers to have access to patient data more broadly. As a result individual healthcare facilities must adjust to enterprise wide EMRs. Objective: This study examined the operational effects of transitioning from an Emergency Department (ED) specific EMR to an enterprise wide EMR by evaluating throughput metrics in a community ED. Methods: During a 6-month transition period (July-December 2017) in a community-based, academic ED located in North Central West Virginia, length of stay (LOS) and the following operational metrics were analyzed: door-to-provider times, door to disposition time, average LOS, left without treatment (LWOT) rates, and total ED volumes. These metrics were compared with the prior year’s same 6-month period to account for seasonal variability in patient pathology or ED volumes. Results: Overall, there was a statistically significant increase in the LOS measures, including door-to-provider time (p=0.0003), door to disposition time (p Conclusion: An ED-specific EMR to enterprise wide EMR transition in a community ED had a negative effect on the overall efficiency of the emergency department

ANZAED eating disorder treatment principles and general clinical practice and training standards

Introduction: Eating disorders are complex to manage, and there is limited guidance around the depth and breadth of knowledge, skills and experience required by treatment providers. The Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) convened an expert group of eating disorder researchers and clinicians to define the clinical practice and training standards recommended for mental health professionals and dietitians providing treatment for individuals with an eating disorder. General principles and clinical practice standards were first developed, after which separate mental health professional and dietitian standards were drafted and collated by the appropriate members of the expert group. The subsequent review process included four stages of consultation and document revision: (1) expert reviewers; (2) a face-to-face consultation workshop attended by approximately 100 health professionals working within the sector; (3) an extensive open access online consultation process; and (4) consultation with key professional and consumer/carer stakeholder organisations. Recommendations: The resulting paper outlines and describes the following eight eating disorder treatment principles: (1) early intervention is essential; (2) co-ordination of services is fundamental to all service models; (3) services must be evidence-based; (4) involvement of significant others in service provision is highly desirable; (5) a personalised treatment approach is required for all patients; (6) education and/or psychoeducation is included in all interventions; (7) multidisciplinary care is required and (8) a skilled workforce is necessary. Seven general clinical practice standards are also discussed, including: (1) diagnosis and assessment; (2) the multidisciplinary care team; (3) a positive therapeutic alliance; (4) knowledge of evidence-based treatment; (5) knowledge of levels of care; (6) relapse prevention; and (7) professional responsibility. Conclusions: These principles and standards provide guidance to professional training programs and service providers on the development of knowledge required as a foundation on which to build competent practice in the eating disorder field. Implementing these standards aims to bring treatment closer to best practice, and consequently improve treatment outcomes, reduce financial cost to patients and services and improve patient quality of life