Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

EdD

College

College of Education and Human Services

Department

Not Listed

Committee Chair

Kimberly Floyd

Committee Co-Chair

Sharon Hayes

Committee Member

Alexandra Hollo

Committee Member

Carla Meyer, Ph.D.

Abstract

This study utilized narrative inquiry to learn the stories of early career teachers of students with disabilities as they navigated teaching during a global pandemic. Five early career teachers participated in a series of three semi-structured virtual interviews. Interviews were transcribed then analyzed using a six-phase approach to thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Nine themes were identified: Teaching, Communication, Parents, Special Education, Workload, Resources, Training and professional development, job satisfaction, and teacher preparation. Themes were organized and presented to answer the research questions of the study. The findings contribute to understanding pandemic-related challenges faced by early career teachers of students with disabilities. Implications for teacher preparation programs as well as P-12 districts are discussed.

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