School of Education Doctoral Candidate Recognized for Dissertation Research

December 14, 2021

BATON ROUGE, LA - Channing Parfait, School of Education doctoral candidate, was recently recognized for the caliber of his ongoing dissertation research at the annual Mid South Educational Research Association (MSERA) Conference. Parfait, who is in the data analysis phase of his dissertation study, was awarded an MSERA Research-in-Progress Award. Parfait is investigating the co-planning conversations at the beginning of a yearlong residency to shed light on the aspects of co-planning conversations that help experienced and novice teachers expand their expertise and develop a mutually beneficial mentoring relationship. While research on co-planning during the student teaching/residency experience exists, Parfait’s research illuminates the importance of mentoring conversations that occur early in the residency experience. Learning more about these experiences will assist all stakeholders involved in novice teacher development to more deeply understand the supports necessary for new teacher development.

At the MSERA Conference, held in New Orleans, November 9-12, 2021, Parfait presented his on-going work in a session entitled, Exploring Co-planning Conversations as a Professional Development Activity for Mentors and Mentees at the Beginning of a Yearlong Teacher Residency. Parfait stated, “Student teaching is an inherent component of traditional teacher preparation programs; however, the rigor and purpose of this experience varies based on the interpretation of mentorship by the school site mentor. Co-planning has emerged as a professional development activity because teachers as reflective practitioners, share ideas, reflect on past experiences, and develop common goals for students.” Given the state’s recent mandate for a year-long student teaching residency, Parfait’s work is fresh and cutting edge.

Margaret-Mary Sulentic Dowell, PhD, Parfait’s major professor commented, “A significant piece of what is missing from the discussion on co-planning are the conversations and dialogue that occurs at the beginning of the yearlong residency experience, prior to actual preparation to teach, that leads to successful co-planning during the experience or positive perceptions following the residency experience. Channing’s work is truly significant as it explores this phenomenon at the onset of the new student teaching residency configuration in Louisiana schools.”

Neil Mathews, Director of the LSU School of Education stated, "The School of Education is proud of Channing Parfait for his outstanding dissertation research which garnered special attention at the recent Mid-South Educational Research Association Conference in New Orleans.  His research is critical to our understanding of what works in co-planning for a yearlong residency in the School's teacher preparation programs.  Congratulations to Mr. Parfait and his major dissertation professor, Dr. Margaret-Mary Sulentic Dowell, for this recognition".

LSU’s School of Education was well-represented at the conference as Parfait, Sulentic Dowell, doctoral candidate, Nathan Hite, School of Education faculty, Cynthia DiCarlo PhD, and Langley Pierre McClay PhD, an LSU alumnus, also co-presented a second session entitled, Creating and Utilizing a Research Agenda: Strategic Considerations for PhD Candidates, New Scholars and Novice Researchers. In addition, School of Education faculty from the Higher Education program, Ashley Clayton PhD, collaborated on a session entitled, Land-Grant Institutions: A Solution to the College Degree Return on Investment Debate.