Experts Guide

Nieman's research focuses on helping physical education teachers understand and meet the different needs of their students. He studies how teachers can make PE more engaging, fair and relevant for kids from all kinds of backgrounds. He also look at what helps or prevents young people from getting involved in sports and physical activity, especially those who might not always feel included.

Vomvoridi-Ivanovic's research spans teacher education, mathematics education, science education and engineering education — primarily at the secondary and post-secondary levels. She focuses on broadening STEM participation, humanizing mathematics education and advancing teacher and student development through responsive pedagogy and interdisciplinary collaborations, and her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation and NASA.

Ambush's research explores how education and community partnerships can help people learn, grow and thrive. He studies study how schools, families and local organizations can work together to create holistic learning experiences that build leadership, belonging and purpose, especially for youth. His work has reached more than 1,000 students annually through award-winning initiatives recognized locally, nationally and internationally for their innovation and measurable outcomes. 

Jacobs' research focuses on teacher learning and growth throughout their careers, including the development of teacher leaders in schools and the professional learning of university-based teacher educators. Her work examines school-university support for teacher learning; teacher learning through hands-on, practice-based experiences; and how mentoring, practitioner research and job-embedded learning helps teachers develop their skills.

Blank's research focuses on how young children learn through the arts, play and inquiry, and how teachers develop the professional knowledge needed to support that learning.

Latimer's research focuses on making STEM education -- especially math -- more welcoming and meaningful for all students, both in formal and informal learning contexts. He studies how teachers prepare and grow in ways that honor student experiences, interests and needs and explores the experiences of academic mothers and how caregiving can inform and strengthen teaching, mentoring and educational leadership. He also examines out-of-school STEM programs to understand how young people develop confidence and a strong sense of identity in engineering and science.

Haraf studies teacher preparation, leadership and professional learning, with a focus on issues in urban elementary schools. She can discuss elementary education, teacher education, school-university partnerships, teacher candidate supervision, teacher leadership and access and opportunity in urban education.

Bennett's research focuses on culturally sustaining pedagogy, literacy and arts in carceral spaces such as prisons, community literacy, multicultural literature and teacher education. She and a colleague recently partnered with the Florida Department of Corrections to work with prisoners on improving their literacy rates and mental health.