Boston University Wheelock College

Building Better Teachers: How states can raise the bar on preparation | Meagan Comb | Policy Changes Lives, an ExcelinEd podcast How states are redefining teacher preparation and support to build strong pipelines for student success.

Policy meets the classroom. 📚 BU Wheelock’s Meagan Comb explains how states can raise the bar on teacher prep.


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Numbers say it: Greater Boston is more diverse, more divided | Dorchester Reporter New studies show a Greater Boston population becoming more racially diverse, but also more disconnected by income, and by shifting educational choices following the Covid-19 pandemic. As multiple figures show, the “big sort” declared more than twenty years ago is diverging into new patterns, whether in high-income suburbs or in Boston schools. According to Boston Indicators,

From BU Wheelock to Boston classrooms: Our research is helping the region understand how post-pandemic enrollment shifts are reshaping education equity. 📖


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Wheelock Program Aims to Broaden Who Stands in Front of Classrooms BU’s Holmes Scholars chapter is part of a national effort to create a more representative educational workforce

BU’s Wheelock Holmes Program empowers the next generation of diverse education leaders. 🌟

Next week, we’re thrilled to host Holmes Scholars at Boston University Wheelock for the Holmes Research & Dissertation Retreat!

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Research Program Helps Bridge the Opportunity Gap for Young Engineers Training and mentorship experience gives first-generation and low-income college students a taste of lab work—but needs new funding to continue

Equity in STEM doesn't happen by accident. REM-Includes is opening doors in science education for first-gen and low-income students through lab work and mentorship. Programs like this are vital to closing opportunity gaps, but continued support depends on new funding.

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‘A big deal’: Mass. schools developing plans to integrate AI in curriculum School districts across Massachusetts are wrestling with how to incorporate this emerging technology into their classrooms.

Massachusetts schools are working to utilize AI's potential. Hear Prof. Nermeen Dashoush's thoughts on its integration here ⬇️


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Boston University Welcomes 2025 Menino Scholars and Community Service Award Winners, a Group Driven to Learn and Give Back The scholarships, awarded to graduates of Boston Public Schools, represent BU’s commitment to the community

“Education is not just about personal achievement, but also about empowering the people around you.” — Sarah‑Simone Dyer (Community Service Award ‘25) showing what it means to lead with heart.

Congrats to all the new Menino Scholars & Community Service Award winners! 📘


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Legacy admissions must go   - CommonWealth Beacon Some argue that the practice builds alumni tradition and a culture of financial giving, but it remains an affront to equity in education. 

In this CommonWealth Beacon op-ed, BU Wheelock’s Raul Fernandez and Massachusetts State Senator Lydia Edwards argue that legacy admissions must end. They highlight how these policies reinforce inequities by privileging wealthy, white applicants.

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Virtual School Hit the Mainstream 5 Years Ago. How Popular Has It Gotten? - EdSurge News Virtual schools were the norm five years ago. Their popularity is staying steady – and influencing brick-and-mortar institutions.

In this EdSurge article, BU Wheelock’s Joshua Goodman notes that statewide programs are “almost certainly” more efficient than district-by-district models. Notable growth in virtual school enrollment spans Georgia, Texas, and Massachusetts.


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Changing the Equation | Bostonia | Boston University Boston University is a leading private research institution with two primary campuses in the heart of Boston and programs around the world.

In this Bostonia feature, featuring BU Wheelock alum Steve Campanella (Wheelock ’24), an innovative program reshapes middle school math.
#BUWheelock #BostonUniversity

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Public school enrollment in Mass. on a five year decline as private options see higher demand BU researchers say the trends are even more pronounced in the state's wealthiest communities.

In this WGBH piece, BU Wheelock's Joshua Goodman and Abigail Francis share findings from a study showing a 2% decline in Massachusetts public school enrollment since 2020.

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#BUWheelock #BostonUniversity

2025 Alumni Award Winners

BU Wheelock is proud to unveil the exceptional recipients of the 2025 Alumni Awards! Celebrated for their leadership, impact, and dedication to educational equity, these five alumni embody the values of our community:

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A College Leader Makes Connections | Wheelock College of Education & Human Development A College Leader Makes Connections

In this Collegial Conversations led by Jay Halfond, Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg discusses how inclusive leadership and deep community engagement have helped her foster pride and cultural revitalization at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Windward Community College.

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Amy Thompson Rejoins Women’s Soccer Program as Assistant Coach - Boston University Athletics BOSTON – Two-time All-Patriot League selection and Terrier alumna Amy Thompson (CAS'22, Wheelock'25) has returned to the Boston University women's soccer program

In this BU Athletics article, BU Wheelock alumna Amy Thompson (CAS ’22, Wheelock ’25) rejoins the BU women’s soccer program as an assistant coach. A two-time All‑Patriot League standout, she brings player experience and leadership to the 2025 season.

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Public school enrollment continues to fall Across the country, public school enrollment has failed to rebound to pre-pandemic levels — and data suggests the decline is far from over. According to projections from the National Center for Education Statistics, public K-12 enrollment peaked at 50.8 million students in autumn 2019, but is expected to fall by nearly 4 million students to […]

In this Yahoo News article, a research study by BU Wheelock doctoral student Abigail Francis and faculty member Joshua Goodman shows that public school enrollment remains about 2% below pre-pandemic levels.

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The truth behind the endless “kids can’t read” discourse Is there a literacy crisis? Or am I just old?

In this Vox article, literacy experts, including Wheelock program director Elena Forzani, challenge the “kids can’t read” narrative, pointing instead to a decline in deep reading and comprehension.

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The Education Exchange: Public School Enrollments Down 2 Percent Since 2020 Paul E. Peterson interviews Joshua Goodman, Associate Professor of Education and Economics at Boston University

This Education Next podcast episode features Wheelock professor Joshua Goodman joins and host Paul E. Peterson. Together, they discuss his new study showing public school enrollment has declined by ~2% since 2020.

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PBSKids

In this BU Today article, BU Wheelock faculty and alum, share how PBS KIDS’ Lyla in the Loop helps children build problem-solving and computational thinking skills; making screen time a tool for learning.

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#BUWheelock #BostonUniversity #PBSKids

CWD July 2025

In this “Conversations with the Dean”, Dean Penny Bishop speaks with Leslie Dietiker, Naomi Caselli, and Elizabeth Bettini about how federal research funding drives equity, innovation, and long-term impact.

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#BUWheelock #BostonUniversity #EducationResearch

Robot

In this BU Wheelock article, TJ McKenna showcases the 10th Annual Curiosity & Learning Conference. Educators and researchers came together in hands-on STEAM stations to spark curiosity, connect disciplines, and renew passion for inquiry-based learning.

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BPS closes its last middle school, following national trend of consolidating campuses - The Boston Globe Standalone campuses for grades 6-8 are becoming rarer across the country and Boston has undertaken a broad effort to shift students to schools for grades 7-12.

In this Boston Globe article, BPS closes Lilla G. Frederick; the city's last standalone middle school. Dean Penny Bishop comments that middle-grade students need dedicated supports even if separate buildings aren’t essential.

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Diversifying the special education teacher workforce could benefit US schools Declining interest in the teacher profession and recent Trump administration budget cuts pose challenges to developing a diverse educator workforce.

This article from 'The Conversation' explains how diversifying the special education teacher workforce can benefit students by improving academic outcomes, reducing disciplinary disparities, and fostering culturally responsive practices in schools.

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The Fulcrum

This article from The Fulcrum explains how proposed Medicaid cuts would strip essential supports like personal care and in-home therapy, especially for people with disabilities, threatening their independence and quality of life.

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Linda Rhodes

BU Wheelock proudly recognizes Linda Rhodes as the 2025 recipient of the Boyd E. Dewey Award for Staff Excellence. We want to celebrate her outstanding contributions to the BU Wheelock community.

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#BUWheelock #BostonUniversity #StaffExcellence

Class of 2025 Photo Album

Class of 2025 photo album featuring:
📸 The Graduate Student Celebration
📸 The Undergraduate Student Brunch
📸 The Class of 2025 Convocation

Link: http://spr.ly/633264Oq9E
#BostonUniversity #BUWheelock #ClassOf2025 #BU2025 #TerrierPride

Middle School Years

In this BU Today article, Dean Penny Bishop and colleagues highlight how middle school is a period of rapid development, creativity, and growth. They explore strengths-based teaching, identity formation, and classroom strategies to support early adolescents.

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The Joy of Math For many Americans, enthusiasm for learning math peaks at around fourth grade. That's because in most schools, math curricula for younger learners center on play, problems you can solve with your hands, and lots of group work.

In this BU Wheelock Magazine article, a team led by Aaron Brakoniecki and colleagues introduces the “Joy & Justice in Mathematics” mentoring program for MAT students. It equips new teachers with tools to make math engaging, relevant, and equitable.

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In this 'Conversations with the Dean', Dean Penny Bishop speaks with Associate Professor Eve Manz and Clinical Assistant Professor TJ McKenna about how posing big, open-ended questions can promote deeper, student-driven science learning.

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Chelsie Nacelus

Carolina Ceribelli

Marshall Hurst

Congrats to BU Wheelock students Carolina Ceribelli, Chelsie Nacelus & Marshall Hurst for being honored at the 2025 Convocation for academic excellence, leadership & impact! 🌟
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2025 Faculty Award Winners

BU Wheelock celebrates the 2025 Faculty Award recipients: Jennifer Greif Green and Nancy Harayama (Edward H. Ladd Award), Jennifer Bryson, Andrea Bien, and Christina Dobbs (Gordon L. Marshall Fellowship), and Michael Alan Chang (Large Grant Award).

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What's Behind the Rise in Violence Against Teachers?

In this BU Today article, BU Wheelock’s Jennifer Greif Green discusses the rise in violence against teachers, the impact of post-pandemic stressors, and the need for systemic solutions like mental health resources and smaller class sizes.

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