Transformative Work

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…

An Interview with Dake Zhang, Associate Professor of Special Education, Department of Educational Psychology  Can you tell us about a new research project you are working on? I currently have three active grants focused on developing and evaluating AI-based tools for students struggling with mathematics. For example, I lead an…

For Terrell Gilkey, teaching is more than just a profession—it’s a chance to make an impact.  Before graduating from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) in 2019, Terrell embarked on a life-changing trip to South Africa through the GSE’s South Africa Initiative program.    “While I was in South Africa,…

Shifting perspectives to build a more inclusive society begins in the classroom. Driven to make a difference in government and politics, Clare Kelly sought a career in education at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE). During her undergraduate studies, Clare realized the importance of children and teenagers learning about…

Dr. Marybeth Gasman and Dr. Steven Barnett will be first-time featured panelists at this year’s South by Southwest EDU (SXSW EDU) conference focusing on diversifying the education research and development enterprise and strengthening Pre-K across the nation respectively. Building & Broadening the Education R&D Enterprise  “There are so many things…

Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) is proud to share that Christopher C. Catching, Ed.D. ’08, has been appointed as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.  Dr. Catching brings knowledge and experience from five major colleges he has worked for, as well as…

From Brooklyn to New Brunswick, Dr. Gail Verona has been teaching since the 1970s. Her career has come “full circle” by her definition, as a former student at Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) to now a seasoned professor at the same school.  Dr. Verona celebrated a momentous recognition of…

From behind home plate to the front of the classroom, Kristen Johnson built a career combining her two passions—coaching sports and helping others.  “I was hesitant about going into teaching, especially after many of my experiences with conflict and bullying growing up,” Kristen said. “However, I knew I wanted to…

Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) is pleased to announce that two of its faculty members, Dr. Marybeth Gasman and Dr. W. Steven Barnett, have been recognized among the top 200 education scholars in the country in the 2025 RHSU Edu-Scholars Public Influence Rankings. Each year, Frederick M. Hess, American…