Accomplishments: Department of Teaching and Learning
Kari Kokka (Teaching and Learning) was recognized as one of the Top Women Leaders of Nevada for 2026 by Women We Admire.
Elizabeth Barrie (Teaching and Learning Innovation; Academic Affairs) recently helped author UPCEA's (online and professional education association) new Hallmarks of Excellence in Digital Learning Enterprises.
Released by UPCEA, the framework provides practical guidance for colleges and universities seeking to strengthen digital learning…
Benita R. Brooks, Borna Nemet, Sinead Pelleschi, Cherish Olson, Chyllis E. Scott, and Kenneth J. Fasching-Varner (all Teaching & Learning) published an article titled, "Exploring teacher candidates' well-being literacy through the PERMA lens: A sequential mixed-methods study," in Action in Teacher Education.
In this sequential explanatory…
Kari Kokka (Teaching and Learning) gave the opening keynote for the University of Arizona's Humanizing and Culturally Affirming Teacher Preparation Program (HCAT) Summer Institute (June 23, 2026).
Trenton Dawson, Marcedes Butler, and Kenneth Varner (all Teaching and Learning) published “What counts as competent teaching? A systematic narrative synthesis of teacher competencies in K-12 education” in the Teaching & Teacher Education journal.
Hasan Deniz (Teaching and Learning) and Ph.D. student Dilara Kara-Zorluoglu (Teaching and Learning) published with co-authors Ezgi Yesilyurt (Utah State University), Erdogan Kaya (University of Texas at Arlington), Refika Turgut (University of South Carolina Upstate), and Elif Adibelli-Sahin an article titled “Unpacking the sources of computer…
Shaoan Zhang, Ph.D., (Teaching and Learning) has been appointed to serve on the American Educational Research Association (AERA) International Relations Committee (IRC) for a three-year term through 2029.
AERA is the largest national research association dedicated to the scientific study of education and learning. The International Relations…
Congratulations to Isabella Shenouda, Noah Karnafel, and Hongming Xu (all Teaching and Learning) on receiving the UNLV Teaching Expo: Best (and Worst) Teaching Practices 2026 People’s Choice Award. This recognition reflects the doctoral students’ dedication to learning and teaching in higher education, as well as their positive contributions…
Congratulations to Noah Karnafel (Teaching and Learning) on receiving the Doral Academy Excellence in Education Gala: New Teacher of the Year 2026 award! This is a wonderful recognition of his dedication and positive impact on students and the school community.
Ph.D. student Dilara Kara-Zorluoglu (Teaching and Learning) published an article titled “Computational Thinking Integrated Science Lesson: STEM Integrated Teaching Approach with Data Practices on Climate Change” in the journal School Science and Mathematics.
Ph.D. student Dilara Kara-Zorluoglu (Teaching and Learning) presented a study titled “Enacting Agency: An Ecological Perspective on Teachers’ Experiences of an Integrated Curriculum” in a paper session on Developing Teacher Agency through Transformative Professional Learning at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) 2026…
Ph.D. students Dilara Kara-Zorluoglu and Debika Jana (both Teaching and Learning) presented a study titled “Exploring Approaches to Equity: A Content Analysis of Two Scripted Curricula in Science Education” in a paper session on Using Content Analysis to Advance Equity at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) 2026…