Faculty News
William “Bill” Penuel, Distinguished Professor of Learning Sciences and Human Development in the School of Education, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences—one of the highest honors in academia and a historic milestone for the school. Penuel, whose election was announced on April 22, is the first faculty member from education ever elected to the Academy.
The 91´«Ă˝ Boulder School of Education has selected two initial projects— professional development in nonfiction writing and deepening a community partnership—to launch the new Dean’s Public Scholarship Fund, an initiative designed to strengthen public‑facing scholarship and deepen the impact in communities across Colorado and beyond.
Each year, the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting represents the world's largest gathering of education researchers and is a showcase for groundbreaking, innovative research. The 2026 AERA Annual Meeting will take place in Los Angeles from April 8 to 12. Read the 91´«Ă˝'s guide to AERA to see our faculty and graduate students participating in this year's conference.
With more than two decades of distinguished service to the School of Education community under his belt, Derek Briggs embarked on his new role of as Associate Dean of Faculty on Jan. 1. We caught up with Briggs for a conversation about his hopes for the role and to learn more about his passions at work and at play.
The National Academy of Education (NAEd) has announced the election of Kevin Welner, research professor at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education and director of the National Education Policy Center, to its Board of Directors for a four-year term beginning in November 2025.
This summer, the Teacher Leadership program celebrated its fifth anniversary—a milestone made possible by the dedication of teachers, partners and supporters in Colorado and beyond. Emily Gleason, faculty director of the Online Teacher Leadership program, reflects on how far the program has come and the ongoing need to support teacher leaders.
School of Education faculty and alumni will be featured in two upcoming author events at the Boulder Book Store. Ashley Potvin and Bill Penuel will present their new book, “Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities" on Tuesday, Sept. 9, and Elizabeth J. Meyer will discuss “Queer Justice at School” on Thursday, Oct. 16.
As the new Dean of the School of Education, Amanda Haertling Thein recently returned to the 91´«Ă˝ campus—a homecoming for the alumna. Thein grew up in Colorado and attended 91´«Ă˝ as an undergraduate. In this Q&A, she reflects on her path from high school teacher to educational researcher and higher education leader and what excites her most about leading the school into its next chapter.
Each year, the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting represents the world's largest gathering of education researchers, and it showcases groundbreaking, innovative research. Use this guide to follow and support 91´«Ă˝ faculty and students and their work at AERA in Denver April 23-27 — including over 80 sessions led by 91´«Ă˝ researchers!
Recently, the U.S. Department of Education announced it was terminating nearly 2,000 of its roughly 4,000 employees. Both Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and President Donald Trump have signaled that they ultimately want to close the department completely. Kevin Welner, education policy scholar in the School of Education sees many reasons to worry in the new cuts.