Features

Across the world, educators are grappling with how to work within increasingly interconnected and diverse societies where racial and social inequities, historical animosities and citizenship status present barriers for students from marginalized groups.

As a third grader, Veronica Whitley (MEd '17) didn't think of herself as "good" at school.

Needing extra support in reading and writing, Whitley's teacher, Mr. Leonard, was one of her first mentors.

"He showed me that school could be fun and also really believed in me," Whitley said.

Thanks to Mr. Leonard's mentorship, Whitley found herself transforming from a struggling student into a confident, eager learner.

With everything teachers do in a school day—leading class, grading homework, preparing lesson plans—there’s precious little time for one of the biggest factors contributing to student success: building positive relationships.

University of Washington College of Education faculty and students will present their ongoing research to advance teaching quality, early learning, STEM education and more during the American Educational Research Association's annual meeting April 27 - May 1 in San Antonio. The theme of this year's AERA meeting is "Knowledge to Action: Achieving the Promise of Equal Educational Opportunity."