Presentations

Morgridge faculty and students, along with our partners in the community, regularly present original, boundary-pushing research. We strive to continuously and meaningfully contribute to local, national and global conversations related to education, societal change and more. Below, you'll find a sampling of presentations led by Morgridge researchers. To see more of Morgridge’s contributions, explore our recent publications.

  • American Educational Research Association - AERA 2025 MCE Presentations
    AERA Presentation List
  • 2024 American Association for Teaching & Curriculum (AATC) Presentations

    “Rural School Psychologists: A Culturally Sustaining, Rural Program”

    Robyn Thomas Pitts and Amy McDiarmid, University of Denver

    The national shortage of school-based mental health professionals is dire in rural schools, yet access to training is limited in rural spaces. Aligning with conference themes of community connections, representation, and equity/access, we adapted a curriculum to prepare rural professionals.

    “Elevating the Art of Praxis: Those Who Can, Teach”

    Robyn Thomas Pitts, University of Denver

    Pedagogical content knowledge (Shulman, 1986) is the specialized expertise instructors leverage to teach others. Instructors deepen this expertise by reflecting on their praxis. We used four guided reflections to explore how praxis deepened during instructors’ first time teaching a new prep.

    “Cultivating Joyful Teaching and Learning: Exploring the Intersection of Creativity and Artificial Intelligence”

    Wendy Jensen, University of Denver

    Through open-dialogue and idea-sharing, this session will delve into the intersection of creativity, artificial intelligence, and education, inviting participants to contemplate novel questions and potential pathways for more joyful and meaningful educational experiences.

    “Cultivating Dialogic Feedback (CDF): Bringing Humanization Back into Teacher Evaluation and Joy into our Work”

    Adrian Blumenthal, University of Denver

    Cultivating Dialogic Feedback is an ongoing qualitative research study that looks to bring equity and joy into the teacher evaluation process by establishing dialogic cycles into teacher evaluation. Using DBIR research, this study explores the dynamic between teachers and evaluators.

    “The Pearl in the Practice: Contemplations on Teaching”

    Barth Quenzer, University of Denver

    In this postdoctoral paper, the author extends implications from a dissertation study (see Quenzer, 2023) using a transdisciplinary autoethnographic perspective to include the author’s lived experiences as a teacher researcher and what it means to teach as a contemplative practice.

    “Culturally Responsive Academic and Social Emotional Interventions for Asian Americans K-12 Students: A Systematic Review”

    Xiaoqian Bi and Rashida Banerjee, University of Denver

    This paper investigates and synthesizes culturally responsive teaching (CRT) intervention research conducted in the last decade with Asian American K-12 students in the U.S. multicultural classrooms, focusing on how CRT promotes positive academic experiences, social-emotional wellbeing, and joy.

    “Beyond Reflection: Finding Deep-Joy through Discernment”

    Paul Michalec, University of Denver

    Joy in teaching requires the full embodiment of self (Palmer, 1998, Rendon, 2021, and hooks, 2003). Reflection on practice is considered the gold standard for effective teaching. This session argues that to really experience joy, educators should embrace the spiritual tradition of discernment.

    “Creating an Olfactory Classroom Quilt: A Posthuman Affective Turn to Bring Joy in the Classroom”

    Aikaterini Kantourou, University of Denver

    The present study conducted with 13 fourth-grade students in a primary school in Greece illustrates how students used the materiality of odor to construct identities, create belonging, and experience joy in seeing their subjectivities represented through the creation of an olfactory classroom quilt.

    PANEL: “The Joy in the Journey: Learner to Teacher to Learner, Repeat”

    Norma Hafenstein, Paul Michalec, and Wendy Jensen, University of Denver

    Rather than only outcomes, consider the educational journey, where learners and teachers move from one role to another. How can we experience joy in the journey of education, whether teacher or learner? How can we recognize the toles of learner and teacher as connected, ongoing and interrelated?

    “Exploring Denver’s Chinatown: Replacing Historic Turmoil with Intercultural Field Learning Joy”

    Michelle Jestice and Xiaoqian Bi, University of Denver

    Leveraging intercultural exchanges to understand past turmoil through experiential field methods, we discover Denver’s Chinatown history, fostering empathy and respect for international communities while exploring multicultural education potential for positive social change leading to joy.

    PANEL: “Finding Joy in International Challenges”

    Xiaoqian Bi, Michelle Jestice and Fahad Alsawar, University of Denver

    Our panel discusses vital educator and curricular roles that promote joy through inclusive environments, intercultural discourse and participation, helping international students feel a sense of belonging through representation while they navigate the host country’s cultural nuances.

    “The Joy of Teaching for Deeper Learning”

    Kerstin Rowe, University of Denver

    This Issues and Ideas session looks at ways in which teaching for deeper learning brings joy to the classroom context as well as being the most important way to help students learn 21st century skills.

    PANEL: “Empowering Rural Educators: Cultivating Joy and Excellence through Cultural Responsive Practices, Computer Science Training, and Critical Thinking Skill Development”

    Wendy Jensen, Jenny Van Stroh, and Norma Hafenstein, University of Denver

    This panel will feature educational leaders and content experts involved in a Jacob K. Javits funded initiative to empower rural educators through professional development centered on culturally responsive practices, computer science training, and critical thinking skill development.

    PANEL: “Bridging Support for Multilingual Learners across the Educational Landscape”

    Riley Stouffer, Kimberly Schmidt, and Jan Chamberlin, University of Denver

    Multilingual learners are a vital part of our student body, bringing rich cultural and linguistic experiences. This panel explores the opportunities and challenges they encounter in our schools and discusses how we can create a more inclusive, empowering, and joyful learning environment.

    “Universal Design for Learning as an Inclusive Teaching Practice in the College Classroom”

    Kiersten Hillkirk, University of Denver

    This session seeks to explore the application of UDL in higher education. It will begin with a presentation focused on UDL principles, existing literature on UDL, and the imperative for faculty development. Through innovative inquiries, the presenter will then facilitate an engaging discussion.

     

    Poster Presentations:

    “Slow Peer Review as an Equity Practice in Writing Instruction”

    Kersten Jaeger, University of Denver

    “Embedding Social Entrepreneurship Education in Secondary Schools”

    Joi Lin, University of Denver

    Exploring the Journey of International Students in the U.S.: The Case of Chinese Students

    Yating Zhu, University of Denver

  • American Educational Research Association - AERA 2024 MCE Presentations

    FACULTY Presentations

     

    Structured Poster Session:

    Building Video Infrastructure to Support Teacher Development of Responsive Instructional Practice

    Sun, April 14, 3:05 to 4:35pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 102AB

    Authors (1 of 3)

    Brette Garner, University of Denver

     

    Paper session:

    Rural Educational Innovative Leaders who Dismantle Inequity: Learning from Global Bright Spots

    Fri, April 12, 9:35 to 11:05am, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 3, Room 310

    Author

    Kristina Astrid Hesbol, University of Denver

     

    Symposium Paper

    Mathematics Detracking at "Franklin High"

    Thu, April 11, 2:30 to 4:00pm, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Room 414

    Authors (1 of 2)

    Lolita A. Tabron, University of Denver

     

    Paper Session

    Extending Automated Scoring to the Figural Form of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking

    Sat, April 13, 11:25am to 12:55pm, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Franklin 2

    Authors (1 of 3)

    Peter Organisciak, University of Denver

     

    Preconference Session

    Division A Early Career Mentoring

    Wed, April 10, 1:00 to 5:00pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 116

    Chairs (1 of 3)

    Lolita A. Tabron, University of Denver

     

    Invited Speaker Session

    Educational Research Possibilities for Race, Gender Equity, and Decolonization through a Trans Lens

    Sun, April 14, 1:15 to 2:45pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 119B

    Chair

    D-L Stewart, University of Denver

    Panelists (1 of 4)

    charlie amáyá scott, University of Denver (HED PhD student)

     

    Symposium Paper

    Classroom Strategy Diversity and Children’s Early Mathematical Growth

    Thu, April 11, 10:50am to 12:20pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 118B

    Authors (4 of 6)

    Crystal A Day-Hess, University of Denver

    Douglas H. Clements

    Yixiao Dong

    Julie Sarama

     

    Paper Session

    Expanding the Horizons of Educational Criticism and Connoisseurship: Embracing an Artistic Lexicon

    Sat, April 13, 1:15 to 2:45pm, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Room 408

    Authors (1 of 2)

    Bruce Uhrmacher, University of Denver

     

    Elliot Eisner SIG Business Meeting and Reception

    Fri, April 12, 6:45 to 8:15pm, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 5, Salon J

    Speaker: Bruce Uhrmacher, University of Denver

     

    Paper Session

    Coaching for Equity-Oriented Continuous Improvement

    Thu, April 11, 4:20 to 5:50pm, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 5, Salon I

    Authors

    Erin Anderson, University of Denver

    Samantha Davis, University of Denver

     

    Symposium Paper

    Surfacing Dilemmas of Responsive Instructional Practice through Movement Transcription, Visualization and Video Review

    Sun, April 14, 1:15 to 2:45pm, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Franklin 13

    Authors (1 of 4)

    Brette Garner

     

    Poster

    Investigating the Structure of the Engineering Interests Measure Using Exploratory Graph Analysis

    Fri, April 12, 9:35 to 11:05am, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall A

    Authors (1 of 6)

    Pat O. Garriott, University of Denver

     

     

    Roundtable Paper:

    Addressing Antiblackness in Multicultural Student Services

    Fri, April 12, 3:05 to 4:35pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B

    Authors (1 of 2)

    D-L Stewart, University of Denver

     

    Symposium

    Harnessing Waldorf To Construct Educational Possibilities: Challenges and Opportunities

    Sun, April 14, 7:45 to 9:15am, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Franklin 7

    Chair and Discussant:

    Bruce Uhrmacher, University of Denver

     

    Paper

    Moves Toward Decolonial Writing While Writing about Decoloniality in Higher Education

    Thu, April 11, 2:30 to 4:00pm, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 3, Room 308

    Authors (2 of 6)

    Chris A. Nelson, University of Denver

    Stevie Lee, University of Denver (HED Alum)

     

    AERA Presidential Session:

    Reconciling Traditional Quantitative Methods with the Imperative for Equitable, Critical, and Ethical Research

    Fri, April 12, 3:05 to 4:35pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 200, Room 201A

    Discussant

    Lolita A. Tabron, University of Denver

     

    Poster:

    Exploring Impostor Syndrome Among Graduate Students: A Qualitative Auto-Criticism and Connoisseurship Study

    Sat, April 13, 7:45 to 9:15am, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall A

    Authors

    Amber Denise Yeaw, RMS PhD student

    Bruce Uhrmacher

    Robyn Thomas Pitts

     

    Roundtable

    Toward Unity and/or Diversity? Comparing Affirmative Action Policies in Chinese and US Higher Education

    Sat, April 13, 11:25am to 12:55pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B

    Authors (1 of 2)

    Marc P. Johnston-Guerrero

     

    Roundtable

    Let’s Talk! Future Educators Dialogic Literacy Practices

    Sat, April 13, 1:15 to 2:45pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B

    Authors

    Kimberly McDavid Schmidt

    Teri McDavid Hutchinson

    Riley McDavid Stouffer

     

    Roundtable

    Caring for Cultural and Academic Identity: School Conditions and Teacher Practices Supporting the Academic Growth of Black Students

    Sat, April 13, 3:05 to 4:35pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B

    Authors

    Erin Anderson

    Devani Lemmon

     

    Roundtable

    Examining the Perceptions of Rural Educators About Giftedness

    Sat, April 13, 3:05 to 4:35pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B

    Authors

    Kristina Astrid Hesbol

    Norma L. Hafenstein

    Naichen Zhao

     

    Roundtable

    Listening to Voices Across Contexts in Family, School, Community Partnerships

    Sun, April 14, 9:35 to 11:05am, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B

    Chair: Rashida Banerjee

     

    Paper

    Core Practices of Leading Deeper Learning Schools

    Sat, April 13, 7:45 to 9:15am, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 3, Room 301

    Authors (1 of 3)

    Jayson W. Richardson

     

    Paper Session

    The Power of Relationships in Family, School, Community Partnerships

    Thu, April 11, 9:00 to 10:30am, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Room 412

    Session Type: Paper Session

    Discussant: Gloria E. Miller

     

     

    Poster

    Cluster Analysis of Early Math Assessment Items

    Thu, April 11, 4:20 to 5:50pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall A

    Authors

    Shannon Stark Guss

    Christina D Mulcahy

    Douglas H. Clements

    Julie Sarama

    Crystal A Day-Hess

     

    Roundtable

    Consequential Validity of Early Childhood Assessments: Using Research-Based Early Mathematics Assessment as an Example

    Thu, April 11, 12:40 to 2:10pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B

    Authors

    Yixiao Dong

    Douglas H. Clements

    Julie Sarama

     

    Roundtable

    Understanding the Research-to-Practice Gap to Promote Youth Mental Health in Rural Middle Schools: A Comparative Case Study

    Thu, April 11, 9:00 to 10:30am, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B

    Authors

    Savannah Hobbs

    Nicholas J. Cutforth

    Cynthia Hazel

    Elaine Belansky

     

     

     

    STUDENTS ONLY

     

    Paper Session

    Are the Verbal TTCT (Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking) Forms Actually Interchangeable?

    Sun, April 14, 11:25am to 12:55pm, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Room 408

    Authors (1 of 3)

    Katalin Grajzel, University of Denver (RMS PhD Student)

     

     

    Division D Graduate Student Committee In-Progress Research Gala Poster Session:

    Parental Involvement, Residence Status, and Student's Academic Achievements: A Structural Equation Model Analysis

    Fri, April 12, 4:55 to 6:25pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall A

    Author

    Cuirong Wu, University of Denver (RMS PhD Student)

     

    Social Policy and Education Poster Session

    Reexamining The Chicano Education Pipeline: The Progress of Our Gente In the State of Colorado

    Fri, April 12, 7:45 to 9:15am, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall A

    Authors (1 of 3)

    Analisa Martinez-Morris, University of Denver (ELPS PhD student)

     

    Paper

    Humanizing Shared Equity Leadership: Growth and Development on the Personal Journey Toward Critical Consciousness

    Authors (1 of 5)

    Darsella Vigil, University of Denver (HED PhD student or alum)

     

    Symposium paper

    Experiences of Muslim Students in U.S. Schools in the Rocky Mountain Region

    Thu, April 11, 9:00 to 10:30am, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 110A

    Author

    Sahar Khawaja, University of Denver (ELPS PhD student)

     

    Roundtable

    The Big Five and Divergent Thinking

    Sun, April 14, 3:05 to 4:35pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B

    Authors (1 of 3)

    Katalin Grajzel, RMS PhD student

     

     

     

    ALUMNI ONLY 

     

    Roundtable

    The Navajo Chapter House Methodology

    Fri, April 12, 11:25am to 12:55pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B

    Author

    Stevie Lee, University of Denver (HED Alum)

     

    Presidential Session

    Wounded Healer Leadership & Pedagogy

    Sat, April 13, 9:35 to 11:05am, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 200, Room 201B

    Presenter: Justine J. Lopez (TLS EdD alum)

  • 2024 RMIS/MCE Conference: Harmony of Minds

    Visit the conference website for more information on the event!

    2024 RMIS/MCE Conference: Harmony of Minds

  • University Council for Educational Administration - UCEA 2023 Convention

    MCE, and especially our Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS) Department, is excited to participate in the upcoming UCEA Annual Convention. Here is a sampling of MCE presenters/participants:

     

    Education Access for Adult Women: Challenges That Black Nontraditional Women Face as They Enter Postsecondary Education.  

    DU Presenters: Rachel Anna Kamnkhwani, Naomi Mpata 

     

    Breaking the Myth of “Learning Loss”: A Community-Engaged Photovoice Research. 

    Presenter: Naichen Zhao

     

    School Leader Implementation of Adult SEL in Marginalized School Settings: A Single Case Study.  

    Presenter: Alana Raybon, University of Denver 

     

    Graduate Student Council Programming: Navigating the Academy as an International Student 

    DU Presenter: Rachel Kamnkhwani 

     

    Experiences of International Graduate Students in America During and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic 

    DU Presenters: Rachel Anna Kamnkhwani, Emily Shaba 

     

    Sister Circles: Black Women Scholars Focusing on Holistic Wellness Through Dynamic Networking and Community Engagement 

    DU Presenter: Lolita Tabron 

     

    Beyond the Equity Pause: Supporting Districts’ Efforts to Leverage Continuous Improvement to Center Social Justice 

    Presenter: Erin Anderson 

     

    What is the Role of P12 Administrators in Addressing the Rise in Antitrans Legislation? 

    Presenter: Klaudia Fay Neufeld 

     

    Attitudes and Practices of Rural Educators That Dismantle Systemic Inequity 

    Presenter: Kristina Astrid Hesbol 

     

    Bridging the Gap Between Muslim Students’ Needs and American Schools 

    Presenter: Sahar Khawaja 

     

    Understanding How Teachers and Leaders Foster Black Students’ Sustained Academic Identities 

    DU Presenters: Erin Anderson, Devani Lemmon 

     

    Liberation and Inclusion Through the Voices of Trans Youth: A Phenomenological Approach 

    Presenter: Klaudia Fay Neufeld 

     

    Schools as Thriving Workplaces: Leading Co-Inquiry for Improvement  

    DU Presenters: Erin Anderson, James Ringe 

  • MCE Community Member 2023 AERA Presentations

    "I'm Trying to Rebuild a Relationship With Him, Even Though ...": Teacher Emotion Labor in Dealing With Classroom Trauma

    DU presenters: Christine Elizabeth Hood, Dr. Brette Garner

     

    Culturally Responsive Instructional Coach Evaluation: Exploring Possibilities and Potholes

    Presenters: Dr. Maria del Carmen Salazar, Anna Hardy, Kimberly Korpita, Sara Dishell

     

    The Development and Validation of the Measure of Original Thinking in Elementary Students: A Computerized Test of Original Thinking

    DU presenters: Dr. Peter Organisciak, Katalin Grajzel

     

    The Status of Teacher and Staff Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic

    DU presenters: Dr. Benjamin C. Ingman, Sandra Bertram Grant Solis, Dr. Elaine Belansky

     

    Understanding the Lived Experiences of Pakistani Muslim Students in U.S. Schools

    Presenters: Sahar Khawaja, Dr. Jayson W. Richardson

     

    Betwixt the Ivory Tower and the School Blacktop: Mama-Scholars of Color Navigating White Educational Systems

    DU presenter: Dr. Chris A. Nelson

     

    Curricular Wars: A Critical Policy Analysis of K–12 "Critical Race Theory" Bills in State Legislatures

    DU presenters: Dr. Lolita A. Tabron, Stephen Fusco

     

    Cultural Sharing Conversations to Enhance Collaborative Partnerships With Culturally Diverse Families

    Presenter: Dr. Gloria E. Miller

     

  • Association for the Study of Higher Education - ASHE 2023 Conference

    MCE, and especially our Higher Education Department (HED), is excited to participate in the upcoming ASHE Conference. Here is a sampling of MCE presenters/participants:

     

    Implicating Federal Policy in the Dehumanization of Victim-Survivors of Interpersonal Violence on College Campuses 

    DU Presenters: Sarah S. Hurtado, Casey McCoy-Simmons 

     

    Developments Beyond the Asterisk: New scholarship and frameworks for understanding Native students in higher education 

    DU Presenters: Charlie Amáyá Scott, Chris Nelson 

     

    The State of Higher Education Scholarship 

    DU Presenter: Charlie Amáyá Scott 

     

    Studying and Addressing Race, Racism, Anti-Blackness, and Settler Colonialism in LGBTQ+ Higher Education Studies 

    DU Presenter: Charlie Amáyá Scott 

     

    Examining the Relational Space of Native Faculty Members in Higher Education 

    Presenter: Stevie Lee 

     

    Student Experiences at the Borders and Intersections 

    Discussant: Marc Guerrero  

     

    What Lies Beneath: Unearthing the Sourches, Meanings, and Effects of Policy Making 

    Chair: Casey McCoy-Simmons 

     

    Politics and Practices in Higher Education 

    Discussant: Cecilia M Orphan  

  • RMECC 2016

    The Morgridge College of Education (MCE) had a substantial presence at the 2016 Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference, which was held in Denver and attracted over 2,500 participants. Faculty from the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program, Kennedy Institute, and Marsico Institute were all in attendance along with Students from several MCE programs. MCE faculty and students presenting included:

    • Julie Sarama, Ph.D – MCE Faculty and Kennedy Endowed Chair in Innovative Learning Technologies
    • Douglas H. Clements, Ph.D – MCE Faculty and Kennedy Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Learning
    • Jeanine Coleman, Ph.D – ECSE Clinical Assistant Professor
    • Pilyoung Kim, Ph.D – Assistant Professor at DU’s School of Art, Humanities and Social Science
    • Rachel Schiff-Gray – ECSE Alumni
    • Heather Blizzard – RMS Graduate Student
    • Laura Dietert – CI Graduate Student
    • Ksenia Polson – RMS Graduate Student
    • Jessica Carswell – ECSE MA Student
    • Tara Brand – ECSE MA Student
    • Katie Belleau – ECSE MA Student
    • Brita Strub – ECSE Cert Student
    • Hazuki Tochihara – ECSE Alumni

    Drs. Clements and Sarama were the keynote speakers for the conference alongside Dr. Bob Sornson, Founder of the Early Learning Foundation. They started the Saturday morning conference with their presentation on early math education, setting the stage for the rest of the event.

    “A few of the teachers in the audience commented that they could not wait to share what they had learned,” said Heather Blizzard, a Ph.D student in the Research Methods and Statistics (RMS) program. Blizzard presented on the effects of teaching geometry to young children alongside her peers Laura Dietert and Ksenia Polson.