Teacher Learning, Research & Practice

Teacher Learning, Research, and Practice is a doctoral program area focused on how scholars conduct research into how preservice and practicing teachers learn, how university-, school- and community-based teacher educators learn, how we design and facilitate teacher learning experiences, and how we work to transform teaching and teacher education toward equity and justice. ÌýThis program is grounded in a commitment to the practice, study, and transformation of teacher education in ways that forward justice and honor humanizing teaching and action.Ìý

What can you do if you study Teacher Learning, Research & Practice?

Our graduates work for, as, and with educators across a range of settings.. They draw on sociocultural, critical, and queer theories informing teaching and learning to explore questions about teaching and teacher education and to design and facilitate learning experiences with and for preservice and practicing teachers. Graduates of the Teacher Learning, Research & Practice doctoral program are Ìýprepared for careers in research and teaching in university settings, educational leadership and services to schools, and research and development in private and non-profit organizations.

Meet Our Faculty

Melissa Braaten

Associate ProfessorAssociate Dean for Undergraduate and Teacher Education
Teacher Learning, Research & PracticeSTEM Education

Lightning Jay

Assistant Professor of Literacy and Social Studies Education
Literacy StudiesTeacher Learning, Research & Practice

Jamy Stillman

Associate Professor
Equity, Bilingualism & BiliteracyTeacher Learning, Research & Practice

Program Chair

Sara Staley

Associate Professor and Program ChairCo-Founder and Co-Director
Teacher Learning, Research & PracticeHumanities EducationA Queer Endeavor

Interested in our graduate programs?

Graduate students

We offer Colorado’s top-ranked graduate education in multiple program areas and would love to to provide you with relevant information about our programs. We look forward to learning about your graduate studies journey!

Fall 2026 Information Sessions

ÌýÌýSchool of Education Graduate Studies Preview Evening - Tuesday, October 27, 5 - 7 pm MT

Anyone interested in pursuing a graduate degree (MA or PhD) in the School of Education is welcome to register for this on-campus event. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about their program area from current graduate students and/or graduate faculty and observe a current School of Education graduate seminar.
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