Mehmet Soyer

Utah State University

As we present the second volume of the Journal of Educational Impact, we are proud to showcase a diverse collection of research and reflections that highlight the transformative power of education in fostering equity, empathy, and critical engagement. This volume brings together innovative studies and thought-provoking analyses that address some of the most pressing challenges in education today, from community-based learning to pedagogical partnerships and the evolving role of leadership in times of crisis. Each contribution offers valuable insights for educators, researchers, and practitioners committed to creating meaningful and inclusive learning environments.

James Camp

Thomas More University

This study examines immersive community learning during a student trip to the United States-Mexico border, with nine students documenting their experiences through journals and evaluations. Using innovative techniques from statistical network science, we analyzed commonalities and differences in students' experiences, quantitatively assessing sentiment variations and exploring their first-hand observations. Novel methods using cluster centrality and community detection were deployed to identify broad areas of observation and concern. Emotion fluctuations, recorded with the National Research Council (American English) dictionary, are placed on a firm numerical basis, and thematic currents are unearthed with the presence or absence of topical diversity. Students reported strong emotional engagement with their experiences, reflecting on challenged worldviews through phrases like "border dynamics," "strong stories" from immigrant narratives, and "emotional farewell." These findings demonstrate that community-based learning curricula, which extend beyond traditional classroom limits, can effectively address and overcome misinformation regarding border issues. The study spotlights the transformative potential of education focused on community engagement, empathy, and solidarity, providing a framework for future community-based educational projects and emphasizing their substantial benefits to student learning experience. Four pedagogical contributions and actionable insights to take from this research: (1) preparation and design, (2) emphasis on “communal living,” (3) reflection, and (4) establishing trust.

Furkan Aydemir

Alumni Touro University Berlin

While right-wing extremism and related hate crimes, and anti-Semitism rise, Holocaust education for law enforcement provides crucial historical awareness and strengthens competence in decision-making and ethical judgment. In Berlin, law enforcement officers participate in Holocaust education programs at the Wannsee Conference Memorial and the Topography of Terror on the grounds of the former Reich Security Main Office (Reichsicherheitshauptamt). While the law enforcement officers participating in the programs possess basic pre-knowledge of the Holocaust and Nazi-era crimes, the programs help them deepen their understanding of Nazi history. However, they demonstrate limited awareness of perpetrator research and the role of the German Order Police (Ordnungspolizei) in the Nazi era, with little improvement in this area after the Holocaust Education programs at memorials based in Berlin. This highlights the need for more comprehensive educational efforts to address these gaps and foster a more thorough understanding of their institutional history.

Michael Kuran

Northern Illinois University

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the schooling processes in K-12 systems. Principals navigated many challenges both during remote online learning and after returning to in-person education. This study explored the processes that 11 charter high school principals experienced during the pandemic. Using thematic analysis of interview data from 11 school principals, researchers aimed to understand how urban school principals’ perceptions towards online education practices in underprivileged communities have changed towards both online learning and schooling in general during the covid-19 pandemic. The goal of this examination is to then make recommendations for systemic reform. Five themes emerged: 1) school principals’ differing experiences with online learning during the pandemic, 2) challenges and opportunities in transitioning to online learning during the pandemic, 3) equity problems, 4) perspectives of school principals on online learning during the pandemic, and 5) shifts in school principals’ perceptions of online learning. Findings suggest important implications for principals, district leaders, policymakers, and researchers.

Mehmet Fatih Yigit

Sociology, İstanbul Medeniyet Üniversitesi

Teaching and Generative AI: Pedagogical Possibilities and Productive Tensions," edited by Beth Buyserie and Travis N. Thurston, is a crucial and timely contribution to the ongoing conversation about AI's impact on education. This book thoroughly explores the opportunities and challenges that AI technologies introduce to both traditional and online classroom environments

Madison Brunell

Utah State University

Promoting Equity and Justice Through Pedagogical Partnership is an essential resource for educators committed to fostering inclusivity in their classrooms and across educational institutions. Written by experienced practitioners and researchers, the book offers a practical framework that emphasizes the role of pedagogical partnerships in advancing equity. The authors provide actionable strategies for addressing the needs of diverse student populations, including LGBTQIA+ students, students of color, first-generation students, and other historically marginalized groups. By focusing on how educational partnerships can challenge systemic inequities, the authors present a compelling case for rethinking power dynamics, promoting empathy, and ensuring that inclusion extends beyond rhetoric.