Paul E. Heckman

Dr. Paul E. Heckman was a professor in the School of Education from 2004 until his death on January 23, 2019. He was critical to the School’s growth, serving as the Associate Dean for eight years and CANDEL Founding Co-Director for five years.

Heckman’s research focused on educational change—cognition, curriculum theory, school culture, youth and community development. He was instrumental in shaping CANDEL’s focus on the nexus between theory and practice in leadership, envisioning a program that would promote transformation by questioning existing educational structures and practices to create alternatives that match what we know about learning.

Heckman will be remembered as a passionate educator who imbued his work with dignity, professionalism and sensitivity. He loved both teaching and learning, and saw himself as a learner alongside his students and colleagues. He was a dedicated mentor and advisor, supporting his students even in the final days of his life. His family established the Dr. Paul Heckman Memorial website at heckmanmemorial.com.

Research Interests

Curriculum theory and change; Educational Ecology of communities; Educational Leadership; School, curriculum and community change; School restructuring: Organizational arrangements and structures; School culture: change and cognition

Education

Ph.D., Curriculum and the Study of Schooling – University of California, Los Angeles – 1982

Awards and Honors

• Member, Professors of Curriculum. 1988.
• Who’s Who in American Education. 1988.
• Who’s Who in the West. 1985.

Activities and Service

• Member, Advisory Board of Project Life Lab
• Member, Board of Directors of the National Center for Community Education (Flint, MI)
• Governing Council Member. SOAR (United Way of King County). 2003-2004.
• Keynote Speaker. Learning across the Hours Conference. Vancouver, WA. 2003.
• Panel Discussant. Center for Community Partnerships, 10th Anniversary International Conference. Philadelphia, PA. 2003.
• Keynote Speaker. Annual School’s Out Washington Training of Trainer Events. Seattle, WA. 2003.
• Member. Advisory Group – Indicators Project on Education Organizing – Cross City Campaign for School Reform. Chicago, IL. 2000-2003.
• Member. Citizen’s Advisory Committee. Families and Education Levy, City of Seattle. 2003-2004.
• Participant. Afterschool for All: Project 2010 (Afterschool Alliance). 2003-present.
• Presenter. August Symposium: Classroom Transformation to Eliminate the Achievement Gap. Seattle, WA. 2002.
• Discussant. After-School Programs & Supplementary Education Conference. New York, NY. 2002.
• Panel Discussant. National School-Age Care Alliance Annual Conference. Memphis, TN. 2002
• Roundtable Participant. The Civil Rights Project, Harvard University, and National Institute for Urban School Improvement, University of Colorado, Denver. Cambridge, MA 2001.
• Member. Editorial Board Consultants: Journal of Research and Development in Education. 1990-1995.
• Member. Board of Directors. National Center for Community Education. 1987-present.
• Member. American Educational Research Program. 1981-present.