Smith awarded Purdue’s highest undergraduate teaching honor
Purdue chose Jennifer Smith, associate clinical professor of special education, as one of the five 2024 Charles B. Murphy Award winners.
Read More
College of Education
Department of Educational Studies
Discovering and Developing Human Potential in Diverse Learning Environments
Our nationally known faculty are engaged in the discovery, application, and dissemination of new knowledge centered on three key themes: Educating Diverse Learners, STEM Learning, and Effective Teaching.
We pride ourselves in preparing students for positions as university professors, researchers, special education professionals, counseling psychologists, and testing, measurement and evaluation specialists. Our graduates work in schools, higher education, and private industry.
Featured News
EDST Citizen Award
This Department of Educational Studies recognition is for those who have gone above and beyond their roles or shown support and/or positive attitudes even in difficult situations. The nominations need to include concrete examples of such behaviors (e.g., random acts of kindness).
Dr. Jennifer Smith
This recognition is particularly triggered after I learned that she agreed to serve on two additional search committees this past week in our department. Jennifer served/is serving in total on 6 searches: 2 for Special Education (co-chaired one of them with Denise Whitford), 2 for CPSY and 2 for Ed Psych. She agreed to these commitments in addition to the 5 courses she’s teaching (had to take two overloads), serving as an undergraduate coordinator for SPED and participating in I2 leadership and additional tasks. While I know many of us go beyond the call of duty while at the same time being buried with work, I want to recognize Jennifer for modeling a spirit of collegiality, teamwork, and willingness to ensure that the needs of students, our programs and our department are met, and doing it all with a big smile, positive attitude, and happy decorations on her door J.
Jennifer, congratulations for receiving EDST Citizen Award – February 2022!
Featured Faculty
Dr. Jennifer Renn
Dr. Jennifer Renn is a Research Assistant Professor of Literacy & Language in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
“I’m very excited about my most recent publication, titled Making “Small Waves of Change”: Dual Language and General Education Teacher Transformation through Instructional Coaching. I worked with a wonderful team here at Purdue to explore how in-service teachers were transformed while taking courses in Purdue’s ELL program and working with an instructional coach. It was published in TESOL Quarterly this spring, and already has over 1,900 views!
“I love being active and spending time outdoors. I’ve been a runner since high school, and I’ve completed several marathons and an Ironman triathlon. The photo is of myself after completing the 2022 Chicago Marathon. (I’m smiling because I’m standing still!)”
Featured Graduate Student
Fangfang Mo
Fangfang Mo is in the first year of her PhD program in Gifted Education in the Department of Educational Studies.
“My research encompass a range of topics, including the study of creativity and related topics, examination of social-emotional issues affecting gifted adolescents, exploration of alternative identification methods that do not rely on IQ or other cognitive assessments, and investigation of underachievement among gifted female students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. My passion for the field of gifted education was fostered while serving as a Chinese language teacher in Singapore. During that time, I had the opportunity to work closely with gifted students and became aware of their unique academic and social-emotional needs. I observed that some of these gifted students were at risk due to a lack of appropriate educational support. This experience motivated me to further explore the needs of gifted students and seek ways to help them reach their full potential and make meaningful contribution to society.”