Date of Award
2026
Degree Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Education
Committee Chair
Dr. Ashley Carey
2nd Reader
Dr. Melissa Wheeler
3rd Reader
Dr. Kelly Falvey
Abstract
School connectedness serves as a powerful lever for positive student outcomes. Specifically, student-educator relationships provide well-documented benefits, acting as a protective factor against adverse experiences. However, building and maintaining these relationships remains a complex challenge influenced by site-specific conditions. This challenge is further intensified when accounting for diverse cultural and racial backgrounds. Utilizing an improvement science framework, this qualitative study examined educators’ perceptions as they facilitated culturally affirming social and emotional lessons in a pre-existing advisory block at a magnet high school. Findings indicate that factors at every level of the system shape student-educator relationships. Policies emerged as a critical driver, significantly dictating the direction and focus of educator attention. The data suggest that while educators fundamentally value and strive for high-quality relationships, they require appropriate conditions to succeed. These conditions include a shift in focus from misconduct toward celebration, alongside protected time for intentional relationship-building activities. For school leaders aiming to address the opportunity gap, creating opportunities for authentic connection in which students’ cultural identities are recognized as strengths, warrants further attention.
Recommended Citation
Routhier, A. R. (2026). “We learned so much more about each other”: Strengthening student-educator relationships through culturally affirming practices [Doctoral dissertation, Sacred Heart University]. https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/edd/84/
Creative Commons License
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Comments
A dissertation in the Isabelle Farrington College of Education and Human Development presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education.