Objective Studies on factors associated with nutrition practices in early care and education settings often focus on socio-demographic and programmatic characteristics. This qualitative study adapts and applies Belsky’s Determinants of Parenting Model to inform a broader exploration of Early Care and Education Teachers (ECETs) practices. Design Qualitative cross-sectional study with ECETs Setting ECETs were interviewed in their communities across a Southern state. Participants Purposive sampling was employed to recruit ECETs (N = 28) from Head Start or state-funded centers serving low-income families. Phenomenon of Interest ECETs’ developmental histories of food and nutrition, beliefs about child nutrition, and teaching interactions related to food Analysis Qualitative interviews were coded using a deductive content analysis approach. Results Three distinct interrelationships across the themes were observed. First, rules and routines around food and mealtime in the educators’ childhood often aligned with educator beliefs and behaviors at meals in their classroom. Second, ECETs described motivations to leave a healthy food legacy for children in their class. Finally, an experience of food insecurity appeared in narratives that also emphasized making sure children get enough through various strategies. Conclusions and Implications The influence of ECET developmental histories and their related beliefs can be addressed through professional development and ongoing support. Future study should quantify model constructs in a larger sample and study their relationships over time.

Bullying in higher education is an increasingly common phenomenon that negatively affects organizational climate, completed work’s quality and quantity, and students’ educational experiences. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of women adult educators who were targets of bullying. Six themes emerged from the composite participant experiences as well as survival strategies for averting bullying and lessening its impact on personal and institutional well-being and ways to navigate hostile workplace environments.

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