Organization, Information and Learning Sciences ETDs
Publication Date
Spring 5-15-2019
Abstract
In this study, I explored what teachers perceive as the factors that impact their teaching of environmental science in rural secondary level schools in northwestern New Mexico. I adapted Bronfenbrenner’s (1994) ecological systems model, based on four environmental subsystem levels (microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem), as the conceptual framework to address the major research question of this study, and developed 18 interview questions to explore teachers’ perceptions of factors that influence their teaching of environmental science. I investigated the perspectives science teachers have about environmental science topics and the influences they perceive that affect how they teach environmental science, and I sought to understand how these perceptions influence curriculum integration of place-based and culturally responsive environmental science material into their classrooms. My analysis exposed themes in teachers’ beliefs, experiences, and objectives for teaching environmental science topics. Each level of the ecological framework unveiled multiple-level factors, including interactions between different ecological system levels that secondary level teachers perceived to impact their teaching of environmental science in rural northwestern New Mexican classrooms. My findings revealed similarities as well as differences between middle and high school teacher perceptions in regards to factors such as, the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards, building students’ core competencies versus teaching content for standardized testing, parental and community engagement, and procuring funding and resources to meet district and State science objectives.
Degree Name
Organization, Information and Learning Sciences
Level of Degree
Doctoral
Department Name
Organization, Information & Learning Sciences
First Committee Member (Chair)
Charlotte "Lani" Gunawardena
Second Committee Member
Glenabah Martinez
Third Committee Member
Vanessa Svihla
Fourth Committee Member
Greg Cajete
Language
English
Keywords
teacher perceptions, environmental science, rural education, culturally responsive science, Indigenous science, ecological model
Document Type
Dissertation
Recommended Citation
Julienne, Marie Quiahuitl. "Teacher Perceptions of Environmental Science in Rural Northwestern New Mexico Public Schools." (2019). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/oils_etds/54
Included in
Community-Based Learning Commons, Community-Based Research Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Education Law Commons, Environmental Education Commons, Environmental Law Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Indigenous Education Commons, Indigenous, Indian, and Aboriginal Law Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons, Organization Development Commons, Other Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Rural Sociology Commons, Science and Technology Studies Commons, Secondary Education Commons, Secondary Education and Teaching Commons, Sustainability Commons, Theory, Knowledge and Science Commons
