Early Childhood Programs and African American Educators:  Experiences about Father Involvement

The title of the dissertation

The title of the dissertation is “Early Childhood Programs and African American Educators:  Experiences about Father Involvement

The early childhood problem researched in the dissertation along with a brief explanation of the study—study purpose, population/participants, methodology, data sources, and conclusions

Author Alfunsia L. Merriwether’s primary focus was to “identify and articulate the attitudes toward father involvement in early childhood programs” (Merriwether, 2015).    By utilizing a qualitative method of interviews with 15 African American female Head Start educators in a major city found in the Southern United States, the author’s findings indicated that educators at Head Start programs had positive attitudes toward fathers in early childhood programs.  Furthermore, the educators believed that father involvement fostered positive academic success and healthy social and emotional development for their children.  Sources used throughout this dissertation were more recent than many other dissertations I read through.  Perhaps, it is because this dissertation was completed just a year ago in 2015.  Nonetheless, the most recent and oldest cited sources were 2014 and 1980.    

3 resources used by the author, and why each was relevant to the study

Bouchard, G. (2012).  Intergenerational transmission and transition to

fatherhood:  A mediated-moderation model of paternal engagement.  Journal of

Family Psychology, 26(5), 747-755.  doi:10.1037/a0029391

**This reference was relevant to the study since it spoke to the intergenerational patterns of parenting, which may have affected the educators’ beliefs, attitudes, and teaching styles. 

Head Start, An Office of the Administration for Children and Family-Early

Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center.  (2014). About Head Start.  Retrieved

from http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/hs

**This reference was relevant to the study because it is governing office of the program where all interviewees are employed. 

Krampe, E.M., & Newton, R.R. (2012).  Reflecting on the father:  Childhood family

structure and the women’s paternal relationships.  Journal of Family Issues,

33)6, 773-800.  doi:10.1177/0192513X11425778

**This reference was relevant to the study since a couple of the interview questions asked about the interviewees’ experiences with her father. 

How the information gleaned from this dissertation may further your work related to fostering supportive learning environments through positive classroom cultures and classroom communities

            Several reasons attracted me to this dissertation.  First, it focused on African American educators.  I reside in Oakland, where, according to the 2010 Bay Area Census, the African American population makes up 28% of the population.  In other words, the probability of my work including African American children is large.  Secondly, I have had a positive work experience for the Head Start Program.  I admire the commitment of these educators to the Head Start philosophy but more importantly to the children and families we serve.  The findings of this study can be contributory to my work since it can be incorporated into my present work, shared with colleagues, and stimulate possible future studies. 

Reference

Merriwether, A. L. (2015). Early childhood programs and african american educators:

Experiences about father involvement (Order No. 3742822). Available from

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1756675497). Retrieved from

http://search.proquest.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/docview/1756675497?accountid=1482

**When previewed, this reference is not aligning correctly though when typing it up in the blog, it appears aligned perfect.  Thank you for your understanding of this reference's unintended misalignment.