Date of Award

5-16-2025

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Julie Mitchiner

Second Advisor

Oscar Ocuto

Third Advisor

Caroline M. Kobek Pezzarossi

Abstract

During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers recognized that online learning stagnated students’ social emotional development (SED). SED is the ability to foster meaningful relationships while also being able to manage, express, and acknowledge emotions, (Office of Head Start, n.d., para.2). SED is typically fostered through in-person interactions, therefore, social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies had to be modified to address online learning. SEL, is the practice of a wide range of skills, attitudes, and behaviors that affect a student’s success in school and life, and is necessary for SED. For example, critical thinking, managing emotions, working through conflicts, decision making, and teamwork (Katzman & Stanton, 2020, p.1562). SEL is not appropriately incorporated in every classroom, and recognizing the diverse demographics of students, and honoring multicultural backgrounds within the classroom, is vital to providing children with the best opportunity to foster their SED. In this capstone project, the primary investigator addresses the research question, “Why is culturally responsive SEL (CRSEL) crucial for the SED of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) students, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic?” by interviewing five teachers of D/HH students during and after the pandemic. A thematic analysis of the data revealed three prominent themes describing observations of D/HH students’ experiences: 1) the decline in emotional health caused by COVID and online learning, 2) language access plays a role in students’ online learning, and 3) the pros and cons of technology on SEL. Furthermore, this project analyzes how CRSEL practices were applied along with other approaches that could be implemented for optimal support of D/HH students.

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