Meet our newest faculty members
This year, the Â鶹´«Ã½ School of Education welcomed our newest faculty members, who bring a variety of experiences and enhance our community of educators and learners. Learn more about them below, and please join us in continuing to welcome them to our school and community.
Alexandria (Ali) Muller is an assistant professor in learning sciences and human development as well as the curator of education at the University of Colorado Boulder's Museum of Natural History.
Muller received her doctorate from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Science Education, and most recently was a postdoctoral fellow at Rowan University.Ìý
Muller’s research focuses on bridging learning environments to foster life-long engagement in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with a particular focus on informal spaces such as museums. Her passion for education began during her work within museums such as the Chandler Museum and Biosphere 2.Ìý
Why did you choose Â鶹´«Ã½ and the School of Education?Ìý
"I chose Â鶹´«Ã½ and the SOE because of the focus on interdisciplinary collaborations and community-centered values. The opportunity to work in both the SOE and the Natural History Museum to better serve and work with the Colorado community was a dream come true. Additionally, everyone I have met in the SOE have been the most loving and supportive individuals and I’m excited to grow as a scholar here amongst my brilliant colleagues." Ìý
What are you excited about this upcoming year?Ìý
"I am most excited to build connections and dream up collaborations between the SOE, Natural History Museum, other Â鶹´«Ã½ institutions and our surrounding communities. Given that this is a completely new role, I’m looking forward to building a strong foundation and work with my colleagues to create some incredible programs and learning opportunities."Ìý
What do you like to do on a day off?Ìý
"I like to go on adventures, whether that be exploring a new hiking trail with my dog, Solar, checking out some new eateries/wineries, or attending a Renaissance faire. If it’s been a busy week, I’m also happy to spend time at home cooking, reading a good fantasy book, or crafting." Ìý
What’s a fun fact about you?Ìý
"I am a certified dive master with over 100 dives under my belt. I first fell in love with diving, oddly enough, in Arizona when I had to get certified to conduct my marine research at Biosphere 2, but since then have enjoyed diving in places such as Mexico, Honduras, and California. My dream is to dive the Maldives and Great Barrier Reef." Ìý
Anything else you’d like to add?Ìý
"I’m so excited to be a part of the School of Education team and want to encourage everyone to go check out the newly re-opened Natural History Museum which has some great exhibits and places to lounge if you need a change of scenery."Ìý
Sophia Hwang is an assistant professor in learning sciences & human development.
Hwang received her doctorate in Applied Psychology from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at UC Berkeley’s Center for Prevention Research in Social Welfare.Ìý
Informed by her experience as a former high school science teacher, Hwang’s research focuses on: (1) promoting students’ academic, social, and emotional development; (2) improving school and afterschool contexts; and (3) supporting educators’ professional development and wellness. Hwang's research is community-based, conducted via research-practice partnerships, and leverages quasi-experimental, person-centered, or mixed methods.ÌýÌý
Why did you choose Â鶹´«Ã½ and the School of Education? Ìý
"I was drawn to Â鶹´«Ã½ because of the people here who are committed to making a difference in the lives of students and educators by tackling complex problems together. I’m especially excited by the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines, generate practice and policy relevant research, all while centering issues of equity. I’m also faculty at the Renée Crown Wellness Institute and am excited to continue my research on how relationships in schools can support student and educator well-being, alongside colleagues exploring topics of empathy, compassion, and dignity in schools."Ìý
What are you excited about this upcoming year?Ìý
"I’m excited to support the incredible work already happening at Â鶹´«Ã½ and also build new research-practice partnerships that support flourishing in educational contexts. Specifically, I am conducting new research at the intersection of social and emotional learning and mindfulness in schools, as well as creating more applied learning opportunities for students in K-12 and higher education systems."Ìý
What do you like to do on a day off? Ìý
"My partner and I recently welcomed our first child! A day off looks like strolling at leisurely pace, exploring local parks and playgrounds, and reading board books in the voice of Cookie Monster."ÌýÌý
What’s a fun fact about you?Ìý
"I love food coops (my favorite shift is restocking eggs!), CSAs, and bulk buying food groups. I’m looking forward to discovering Boulder’s local food scene and getting involved in the community!"Ìý
Lightning Jay is an assistant professor of literacy and social studies education.
Prior to coming to Â鶹´«Ã½, Jay completed his doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education and was faculty in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership at Binghamton University, SUNY.
A former elementary, middle, and high school social studies in Brooklyn, NY and Minneapolis, MN, Jay is now a teacher educator and researcher who works to ensure that all students have access to high-quality, authentic, and relevant social studies instruction. Jay's research weaves together work on democratic education, teacher preparation, social studies curriculum, and classroom discourse. He is interested in how teachers and students learn to have difficult but conversations about history, justice, and the future.Ìý
Why did you choose Â鶹´«Ã½ and the School of Education? Ìý
"I chose Â鶹´«Ã½ because its School of Education is internationally recognized as being on the cutting edge of research and practice. It's a place where people come to become great teachers, to produce world-changing research, and to shape the future of education. It's an honor to be part of these exciting conversations and to work with such dynamic colleagues and students."Ìý
What are you excited about this upcoming year?Ìý
"This year I'm excited to immerse myself in building community in Boulder and Colorado. I've spent much of my life on the east coast and this is a new context for me. I'm looking forward to learning about the schools, students, and teachers here so that I can be a more effective partner." Ìý
What do you like to do on a day off?
"When I'm not working, I hope to be spending time with my family, dribbling a basketball, and eating all the best food Colorado has to offer."