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Gladys L. Benerd School of Education

Thomas Nelson

Assistant Professor of Education Editor, Teacher Education Quarterly

To bring a sense of adventure and passion to the world of teaching and learning; to support and nurture  questioning and critical analysis of the ways in which schools, teachers, and students interact; and to  provide opportunities for personal and community exploration of educational issues, ideas, and  possibilities.

I believe that, as a result of political and media influence, schools have become ever-increasingly narrow  in their attempt to define education and what it means to be a successful student.

Emphasis on curriculum standardization and the recent high stakes testing mandates are having a  detrimental impact on teachers’ ability to engage students in meaningful learning experiences.

Hence, schools are moving further and further away from being educational organizations, and the role  of teacher is becoming less professional, as decisions about the content and pedagogy in classrooms are  being made at great distance from the classroom.

Therefore, I believe it is critical that teachers become more politically savvy and active in their role as  change agents.

It is our responsibility as educators to fight for democratic ideals, social justice, moral and ethical  considerations, and equity for all students.

Our future lies with how well we prepare students to become problem-solvers and advocates for civility  and democracy.

Remember, it is not so much what we do as teachers that matters most, it is what we are able to  get students to do!

"Teaching has to do with releasing people to learn how to learn. It has to do with possibilities and personal  discoveries, making connections, opening doors."

Education


1993

Ph. D., The University of Arizona
Teaching and Teacher Education 
Secondary Education
Environmental Education
Science Education

1989

M. A., California State University, Sacramento
Curriculum and Instruction
Science Education

1975

B. A., California State University, Northridge
Physical Education
Biology

Research Interests


  • The Influence of Teachers’ Beliefs on Curriculum Decision-Making
  • Human-Environmental Relationships as Curriculum Context
  • Curriculum Theory and Analysis
  • Teacher Education


  Teacher Education Quarterly