Transformative Work

Too many students walk into classrooms and feel invisible. Their stories aren’t in textbooks. Their cultures are studied from a distance, if at all. The traditional approaches to education—rigid and often disconnected from the lives of young people—leave students feeling unheard, unseen, and uninspired. This is especially the case for…

Many newcomers to the United States struggle in silence—isolated by language barriers that limit their access to jobs, education, healthcare, and housing. Free, accessible English language support is scarce, and opportunities to practice in safe, welcoming environments are even rarer. In a world where language can be both a bridge…

In classrooms across the United States, students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often met with well-meaning but insufficient support. Affecting over 11% of children and adolescents, ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in schools today. This translates to at least one student in every class….

Today’s science classrooms have shifted from memorization to conducting real science investigations. Under new science standards, students aren’t graded on how well they recall facts, but on how effectively they can think and work like scientists. That means asking testable questions, collecting and analyzing data, applying math, and clearly communicating…

While schools are designed to teach civic responsibility and democratic values, the criminal justice system is rarely recognized for its educational role. Yet for tens of millions of Americans—especially those from racially marginalized communities—policing, adjudication, and incarceration have become powerful civic teachers.  Dr. Benjamin Justice, a Distinguished Professor at the Rutgers Graduate…

Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) is proud to announce that three of its alumni have been added to the roster of educators honored with the distinction of New Jersey County Teacher of the Year.  Kiran Musad, who earned her Ed.M. in Elementary Education in 2007 from the GSE, has been named the 2025 Somerset County Teacher of the Year.  “This award means…

Participants will receive stipends to support tuition, travel, conference participation and other professional development opportunities Rutgers University was awarded a five-year, $3.75 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help forge the next generation of special education leaders.  Rutgers will lead the project – called Preparation of Administrators…

OKLAHOMA CITY – The University of Oklahoma announced today the appointment of Melissa Medina, Ed.D., as dean of the OU College of Pharmacy, pending approval from the OU Board of Regents. Medina will begin the new role on June 16. Medina, who has been serving as interim dean of the College…

At Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE), Conrad L. Johnson’s most valuable lesson came from the community, not a textbook.   “A little more than halfway through my degree, I lost my mom prematurely,” Conrad said. “I thought I wasn’t going to finish my program because I wanted her to be…

New Jersey’s education system is consistently ranked among the top in the nation according to the U.S. News and World Report. Dr. John Bird, a recent graduate of the Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE), dedicates his career to ensuring the state remains a great place for educators to work.   …

With 50 years of teaching experience between them, Dr. Denise Furlong and Dr. Keri Orange-Jones decided to write a “love letter to novice educators” in the form of their new book, Learners First: Purpose and Practicality in Your Early Years of Teaching.  “I want readers to understand that this book…

An Interview with Esther Ohito, Associate Professor of English & Literacy Education, Department of Learning and Teaching  Can you tell us about a new research project you are working on? I’ll begin my answer with a quote from Ralph Ellison: “Geography is fate.” Ellison’s words underscore the idea that who…