The Manhattanville University Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership is proud to announce Dr. Susan Joy Chester, Signature Pathway Cohort 12, is the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Dissertation Research Award
Dissertation Title:
FROM POLICY TO PRACTICE: TEACHER SENSEMAKING OF NEW YORK STATE’S CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE-SUSTAINING EDUCATION FRAMEWORK
Abstract
Drawing upon Weick's (1995) theory of sensemaking, this qualitative study describes how high school social studies teachers make meaning of culturally responsive-sustaining education as outlined in New York State's CR-SE framework. This study also examined how that sensemaking is reflected in social studies teachers' curricular and pedagogical decisions. Considering the current controversy surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion work in school districts throughout the country, an examination of the issues surrounding implementation of the NYS CR-SE framework was needed. Through semi-structured interviews with 16 high school social studies teachers, I found that factors such as teachers' background and experiences, professional context, policy ambiguity, and discourse around CR-SE, influenced teacher sensemaking and decision making. Teachers expressed that while CR-SE is what good social studies teachers do, teaching has become “a minefield.” Conclusions include recommendations for schools, districts, boards of education and the NYS Education Department.
Biography
Susan Chester is the K-12 Supervisor of Humanities in the Eastchester School District, where she oversees English Language Arts and social studies curricula. Previously, she taught 6th and 7th grade social studies and served as the social studies department chair at the Hommocks Middle School in Mamaroneck. She is the president of the Westchester Lower Hudson Council for the Social Studies, a professional organization that supports social studies educators in the region. Susan earned her BA in Anthropology from Binghamton University, her MA in Social Studies Education from the University of South Florida, and her MS in Educational Leadership from Long Island University.
Susan is the daughter of two retired New York City public school teachers and she knew that she wanted to become a teacher from her first day of nursery school. Susan lives in Irvington with her husband David, and their daughter, Miriam.
Congratulations, Susan!
The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership is designed for practicing and prospective leaders and experienced educators in P-12 and higher education, serving schools, districts, private and independent schools, charter schools, colleges, universities, community organizations, and entrepreneurial endeavors. The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership consists of 3 pathways and adopts a cohort model enabling students to be part of a dynamic and cohesive community of learners during the EdD program.
Currently enrolled students and doctoral alumni are highly accomplished scholar-practitioners who appreciate and have benefited from the value of having a terminal degree in the field of education.
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About Manhattanville University:
Manhattanville University is a private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social responsibility. For three years in a row, “U.S. News and World Report” has ranked Manhattanville the number one private, non-profit institution in New York among Top Performers of Social Mobility in Regional Universities North. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its primarily residential and diverse student body. The university serves more than 1,300 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the university offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education, nursing and health sciences, business, and creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. Graduate students can choose from more than 70 graduate and certificate programs. Extracurricular offerings include more than 45 clubs and activities and 24 NCAA Division III teams.
