My research integrates insights from organizational theory, political science, sociological theories of race, and research on teaching to focus on three interconnected domains: (a) the institutional & political environment, (b) the organizational contexts of K-12 schools and teacher education programs, and (c) the individual-level. Across these domains, my work examines how particular ideas about teaching (e.g., as a moral calling, as a profession, as labor) become institutionalized through policy, and come to shape teachers’ work, K-12 policy implementation, and teacher education programs.

Additionally, my work delves into the “black box” of policy implementation to investigate how individuals and organizations interpret and even transform education policies before they hit the ground. For example, I am leading a study on how teacher education programs, as organizations, are shaping the implementation of the new Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education (CRSE) teaching competencies in Pennsylvania in the context of intense racial politics.

As a researcher, I am committed to bridging the divides between research, policy, and practice. I started my career as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Helsinki, studying Finnish teacher education and professional development, and then worked as a Research and Policy Assistant at the Learning Policy Institute, where I supported research and leadership of a statewide effort to scale K-12 performance assessments in California.