News Archives
Charles E. Wilkes II Joins School of Education Faculty
Research focuses on teaching and learning of Black students
The School of Education welcomed Dr. Charles E. Wilkes II as an assistant professor in September. Wilkes focuses on the teaching and learning of Black learners in K-16 contexts, including how mathematics instruction supports the learning of mathematical content and the nurturing of positive mathematics identities for Black learners. His research also supports pre-service and in-service teachers in cultivating equitable teaching practices through interventions and professional development.
Alicia Rusoja Presents at International Conference
Listen to a Colombian radio interview with Rusoja about migrant education
Professor Alicia Rusoja was
an invited international speaker in the Expo Educación
Medellín 2024, which took place in Medellín, Colombia
from August 17-19, 2024. The event was attended by
4,800 people, including students, teachers, scholars and
advocates. While at the event, Rusoja was also interviewed
by the Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA) radio station for
their segment ”Programa 30: El futuro de la educación es
ahora,” (“Episode 30: The future of education is now”).
Jennifer Higgs Joins Research Team to Examine the Impact of Asian American Studies
Professor Jennifer Higgs is among a group of researchers recently awarded a prestigious $3.5 million Transformative Research Grant from the Spencer Foundation. Their project aims to examine the implementation of Asian American Studies (AAS) in five states with divergent political contexts. Together, they hope to uncover that educational reform toward AAS inclusion can lead to justice, solidarity, and expansion of the curriculum.
Lauren Lindstrom Speaks at International Symposium on Fatherhood and Neurodiversity
The event aimed to empower fathers in their journey of supporting neurodiverse children
Professor Lauren Lindstrom recently presented at the international symposium, “Reimagining Support for Fathers of Children with Neurodiversity,” hosted by the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Centre for Neurodiversity. Her presentation addressed career transition pathways for neurodiverse youth and provided tools that fathers can use to help their children navigate the shift from education to employment.
CANDEL Publishes Journal Issue on the Impact and Importance of Ed.D. Programs
The new edition underscores the critical importance of a doctorate in education
Faculty and alumni of the UC Davis Capital Area North Doctorate in Educational Leadership (CANDEL) program have published a themed issue of Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice. This special August 2024 issue, Voices from CANDEL: Leading for Equity and the Scholar-Practitioner Journey, responds to a gap in research by scholar-practitioners informing the field of educational leadership and underscores the critical importance of a doctorate in education (Ed.D.) for fostering equity-driven leadership.
Former First-Generation Students Give Back with New School of Education Scholarship
Alumni Sharon and Gary Takahashi increase their support for future educators
Sharon (Kurakazu) Takahashi
and Gary Takahashi, alumni of UC Davis and former
first-generation students, have established their second
scholarship in the School of Education, generously including a
planned gift. This scholarship aims to offer vital financial
support to School of Education students pursuing multiple-subject
teaching credentials, prioritizing those demonstrating financial
need, particularly first-generation college students.
Kevin Gee Establishes SPARC Center at School of Education
Research will focus on children experiencing adverse life and social circumstances
In May 2024, Dr. Kevin Gee, professor and Chancellor’s Fellow in the School of Education, established the School Policy, Action, and Research Center (SPARC). The School’s newest center, SPARC generates research leading to actionable insights that can support the educational wellbeing of vulnerable youth. The center’s work supports children experiencing adverse life and social circumstances, including Asian American and Pacific Islander youth who have been bullied, children experiencing chronic absenteeism, and youth in the child welfare system.
PhD Student Antoinette Banks Wins $1 Million Black Ambition Prize
Award is for parent-facing app that uses predictive AI to optimize IEP plans
School of Education PhD student Antoinette Banks, BS ’22, has won the Pharrell Williams Black Ambition grand prize of $1 million for Expert IEP, her parent-facing app that uses predictive AI to optimize existing individualized education plans for children diagnosed with disabilities. Black Ambition is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to closing the opportunity and wealth gap by empowering Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs.
Nancy Tseng appointed Associate Professor of Teaching in Education
Dr. Nancy Tseng, formerly a
Lecturer/Supervisor in the School of Education’s Multiple Subject
Credential Program, has been appointed Associate Professor of
Teaching in Education as of July 2023. She will continue to serve
as the coordinator of the School’s Mandarin Bilingual
Authorization Program. “I’m excited that in this new role, I can
continue to focus centrally on the teaching and mentoring of
teaching credential candidates and MA students,” she said. “At
the same time, this role affords the opportunity to think more
deeply about ways to link research and practice and use this
knowledge in the preparation of future teachers.”
UC Davis Craft Center and Beta Lab Partner on Maker Space
New collaboration celebrated at open house
The School of Education’s Beta Lab and the UC Davis Craft Center showcased their new collaboration at a February 15, 2023, open house event. Chancellor Gary S. May spoke to visitors and gave a screenprinting demonstration.
Marcela Cuellar Named 2022-23 Chancellor’s Fellow
School of Education Associate Professor Marcela Cuellar has been named a UC Davis 2022-23 Chancellor’s Fellow, an honor given each year to a handful of associate professors or newly promoted full professors to support their groundbreaking scholarly work and service to the university as dedicated teachers and campus citizens. She will retain the title for five years.
Alicia Rusoja Joins School of Education Faculty
Dr. Alicia Rusoja joined the School of Education faculty as an assistant professor in July 2022. She studies the literacy, teaching and learning practices of Latinx immigrants organizing for their own and others’ human rights. Among other research projects, Rusoja is in the second year of a five-year study on the impact of COVID-19 on the educational, literacy and organizing practices of Latinx immigrants in South Philadelphia.
Yianella Blanco Joins School of Education Faculty
Dr. Yianella Blanco joined the faculty of the School of Education as an assistant professor in July 2022 in the language, literacy and culture emphasis area. Blanco earned her bachelor’s degree in History at University of Massachusetts–Amherst and her two master’s degrees at Long Island University–Brooklyn and Teachers College, Columbia University, before returning to Columbia for her PhD in social studies education.
Education Leader and Alumna Launches Teacher Education Fund
The fund will support investments in the School’s K-12 teacher education programing
In her 44-year career in K-12 and university education, Marsha Gurney-Speck, Ed.D. (Cred., ’69) has always believed that education is a key to success and citizenship.
Passionate about learning and quality education, she served as a teacher, assistant principal, and high school principal. As an assistant superintendent of schools and later professor of educational leadership at San Jose State, she valued teacher development, as well as leadership reviewing and assessing programs to ensure they were serving each child.
UC Davis Upward Bound Awarded Five Grants
Program serves more than 300 students in four counties
The School of Education has received five federal Upward Bound grants totaling more than $8.7 million to continue serving 348 high school students in Sacramento, Solano, Shasta and Siskiyou counties over the next five years.
“The students in our Upward Bound programs have so much promise and untapped potential, but their opportunities might have been limited by their socioeconomic status,” said Car Mun Kok, PhD, Director of College Opportunity Programs for the UC Davis School of Education.
EDU 100 Students Team with Students in Mexico for Expanded Learning Experience
In one of the most popular classes on campus, undergraduates spend most of their time learning and thinking about learning. EDU 100 is the foundational class for the education minor, the largest minor at UC Davis. In it, students explore access and the experiences of learners, and many go on to careers in education and education policy.
Danny C. Martinez Named Chancellor’s Fellow
Associate professor and noted scholar of Black and Latinx language and literacy practices Danny C. Martinez joined a select cohort of faculty as a 2021-22 Chancellor’s Fellow.
The Chancellor’s Fellow program awards $25,000 in funding to outstanding faculty who are helping to solve complex and pressing problems.
Educational Talent Search Receives $4.8 Million in New Grants
The School of Education has received five federal Educational Talent Search (ETS) grants totaling $4.8 million over the next five years to support the continued and expanded work of ETS programs in Sacramento, Solano, Yolo and Shasta counties. The programs collectively serve 2,700 students in grades 6–12 who have academic potential, want to continue their education beyond high school, and need extra support and information to reach their goals.
UC Davis School of Education Unveils New PowerSchool and Microsoft Digital Learning Lab
Lab to Equip Tomorrow’s Teachers with Digital Teaching and Learning Skills
The School of Education announced today the unveiling of the PowerSchool and Microsoft Digital Learning Lab, giving its students access to the training and tools they need, including state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and leading education software solutions.
