Transformative Work

Language barriers never stopped Alejandro Mejía from pursuing his dream career. After immigrating to the United States from the Dominican Republic at the age of nine, Alejandro dedicated himself to learning English.   “My teachers’ support was pivotal during this time. I often found myself watching Dora, Clifford the Big Red…

Dr. Milagros Nores’ upcoming research webinar series shares a “global perspective on investing in children.” Dr. Nores is the Co-Director for Research and Associate Research Professor at the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). With a profound expertise in early childhood evaluation, informing data-driven policy and programming, cost and benefits…

While working on her Ph.D. in literacy education at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE), Catherine Rand found support from her mother, Dr. Muriel Rand, a professor at New Jersey City University and her mother’s long-time mentor, Dr. Lesley Mandel Morrow, a distinguished professor and director of the GSE…

A desire to change the educational landscape began during Dr. Alexandra Figueras-Daniel’s freshman year of undergrad.  She was drawn to teach when she was exposed to notable research in early childhood education as a student worker at the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER).  After earning her B.A., she…

Ashley Ellis was a shy student.  But a teacher helped her find her voice.  “When a teacher sat with me and got to know my interests, it made it easier to ask for help,” Ashley said. “Then I knew I wanted to be someone who teaches students how to advocate…

Be supportive, create safe spaces, and foster a positive environment. Those are the kinds of teaching philosophies that Alyssa McKendry plans to bring to her classroom.  Alyssa felt like a whole new world opened up to her while learning Spanish. She fell in love with the language and began contemplating…

There is a moment when things just make sense.  Take Nigel Hollis. His moment – when he realized his passion for math – was when his high school classmates started asking him homework questions instead of the teacher.  “When I started to think about what I wanted to do with…

We’re not sad at all about our students graduating—because we know they’re going to do some amazing work in the field of education. The Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) commenced its Class of 2024 Convocation on May 15 at Jersey Mike’s Arena, celebrating the achievements of and awarding degrees…

Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) is proud to announce that four of its graduating students—Alyssa McKendry, Alyssa Mei, Lauren Rha, and Mackenzie Heckman—earned Fulbright Awards that will send them abroad to share their passion for education. (from left to right): Alyssa McKendry, Alyssa Mei, Lauren Rha, and Mackenzie Heckman…

Dr. Alex Kenney is a Race and Social Justice in Education Research Post-Doctoral Fellow in the GSE’s Department of Educational Psychology. Dr. Kenney is a scholar of race with an exacting focus on the experiences of Black collegians at Historically and Predominantly White Institutions (HPWI). He investigates blatant and surreptitious…

Dr. Travis Dumas is a Race and Social Justice in Education Research Post-Doctoral Fellow in the GSE’s Department of Learning and Teaching. Dr. Dumas’s research interests include anti-Black racism and schooling inequity; school climate and culture; student academic outcomes and opportunities; and culturally relevant pedagogy and practices. Can you tell…

Education is the opportunity to better oneself. That’s Sayuni Dias’ take. Sayuni was three years old when she immigrated from Sri Lanka with her family to the United States. She never knew her maternal grandmother, an English teacher. “Maybe it was just in my blood,” Sayuni said. Now Sayuni teaches…