The Inquiry Oasis: A UArizona College of Education Podcast

In this episode of the "Inquiry Oasis" podcast, Dean Regina Deil-Amen speaks with Dr. Patricia Moreira, an assistant professor in the University of Arizona's College of Education. Dr. Moreira, a former science teacher from Chile, discusses her research on how students' reasoning in science becomes visible and how this understanding can be applied to improve teaching. She explains her passion for teaching, understanding, and application, and how her work supports pre-service and in-service teachers, helping them make better pedagogical decisions through formative assessment. The conversation also touches on the value of international collaborations and the importance of investing in educational research to understand and support the learning process.

Mentioned in this episode as Dr. Moreira's recommended reading is Tina A. Grotzer's book Learning Causality in a Complex World: Understandings of Consequence.

Join us for an interview with Dr. Jill Castek and host, Dean Regina Deil-Amen.

Dr. Castek, a former teacher and literacy specialist, is a professor in the department of Teaching, Learning, and Sociocultural Studies (TLS) and is the co-director of the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL).

More than just a tech-filled room, DIALL is a dynamic community hub where students, educators, and local partners come together to explore, create, and showcase digital learning experiences. 

From welcoming high school students thinking of becoming teachers to supporting graduate students as community leaders, DIALL is a living example of how education can adapt to the digital age while remaining deeply human. Dr. Castek’s research, including her work with community-based maker spaces and the NSF-funded Research Coordinated Network, underscores the importance of inclusive, innovative environments that foster inquiry and connection. 

In this episode, Mia Perry's book Pluriversal Literacies: When Words Are Not Enough is brought up as suggested reading.

Join us in this engaging episode in which Dr. Adriana Cimetta and Dr. Rebecca Friesen of the Center for Evaluation Assessment Research & Evaluation (CEARE) highlight the journey of three doctoral students from the University of Arizona, who recently clinched the top prize at the 2024 American Evaluation Association's United States Student Evaluation Case Competition. Hannah Douglas, Emilia Mbone Roland-Umasabor, and Yamini Bukhaya share their experiences and insights into the world of evaluation, shedding light on how the discipline serves as a formidable catalyst for change.

Dean Berry of the College of Education and Dr. Judy Marquez Kiyama, a professor of Educational Policy Studies and Practice, discuss the importance of culturally responsive curriculum and pedagogy at the University of Arizona and the history of Funds of Knowledge.

In this episode, Dr. Kiyama shares her journey at the University of Arizona, from being a first-generation college student to holding various roles within the university and how funds of knowledge has played a role throughout her journey in academia. Dr. Kiyama discusses her research here at the University of Arizona and the various previous and current faculty members within the College of Education that have had an impact on her work and journey. 

Additionally, Dr. Kiyama shares her work developing the Cultural Responsive Curriculum Development Institute with campus leaders and how the institute  focuses on small, intentional changes rather than overhauling entire courses. It covers topics such as culturally relevant pedagogy, inclusive assessment, and curriculum design. The program has fostered collaboration across different colleges and departments, creating a community of practice among faculty. Dr. Kiyama highlights the transformative impact of the institute on faculty's teaching philosophies and the importance of continuous engagement in culturally responsive practices.

In this episode of Inquiry Oasis, Dean Robert Berry interviews Dr. Lia Falco, an educational psychologist and school counselor educator at the College of Education. Dr. Falco discusses her passion for her work, focusing on three key words: kids, school, and opportunity. 

She elaborates on her background in educational psychology and school counseling, emphasizing the developmental lens she uses to understand how K-12 students develop academically and emotionally, specifically in mathematics. 

Dr. Falco also highlights her research interests in self-efficacy, social persuasion, and readiness, particularly in relation to STEM education for girls and underrepresented populations. The conversation provides insights into how educators and school counselors can support holistic development and foster opportunities for students to realize their potential.

Join Dean Berry and Dr. Renae Mayes as they explore Dr. Mayes's work as a researcher and counselor. This episode of Inquiry Oasis explores themes of Black joy, community, and educational spaces through a compelling conversation between Dean Robert Berry and Dr. Renae Mayes, a professor and school counselor educator at the University of Arizona's College of Education. Dr. Mayes discusses her research focused on Black youth and families, emphasizing a strengths-based approach that celebrates the richness and resilience of Black identity.

Key topics include the concept of Black joy as a source of peace, community, and freedom to fully embrace one's humanity, as well as the notion of "home place," inspired by bell hooks, as a protected space where joy and resistance coexist. The discussion extends to how educators can create environments that foster these spaces, allowing students to feel safe, valued, and able to thrive.

This thought-provoking episode underscores the importance of intentionality in education, highlighting the transformative impact of embracing joy, diversity, and inclusivity in schools and communities.

For more information on Dr. Renae Mayes's research, click here. To read bell hooks's work Homeplace (A Site of Resistance), click here.

Join us in learning about Dr. Adriana's work as a researcher and as the Director of the Center for Educational Assessment, Research, and Evaluation (CEARE). Dr. Cimetta discusses her multifaceted roles in teaching, research, and program evaluation, emphasizing her focus on equity in STEM education, fostering a sense of belonging, and diversifying the STEM workforce.

The conversation explores the distinctions between assessment, research, and evaluation, highlighting how each contributes to decision-making and knowledge generation. Dr. Cimetta also shares insights into CEARE's active projects, which span evaluating undergraduate research experiences, STEM workforce development, and teacher training initiatives. The episode underscores the center's commitment to mentoring graduate students through hands-on evaluation and the overall power of evaluation.

Join us in learning about Dr. Kirsten Lansey's research and what brought her into her research in today's episode of the Inquiry Oasis podcast.

Dr. Lansey is an Assistant Professor in special education at the College of Education.  Her overarching goal is to conduct research, teaching, and service that contributes to systemic educational change so that students with complex support needs receive inclusive and equitable learning opportunities that support them in reaching their goals.

In today's episode, Dean Berry and Dr. Lansey dive into her research, discussing intersectionality, education policy and the impact on special education, multi-tiered systems of supports, and disability studies and critical race theory (DISCRIT).

Dr. Lansey recommends the following reading in today's podcast:
Julia White et al. (2019)  - Same as it Ever Was: The Nexus of Race, Ability, and, Place, and One Urban School District  

Join us for Part II of Dean Berry's interview with Associate Professor, Dr. JD Lopez as they continue their conversation on statistical erasure, the notion of understanding giving back, and Native Nation building.

Additionally, they will discuss the "achievement gap" and where the gap really lies as well as Dr. Lopez's personal background that led him to higher education.

Dr. Lopez's recommended reading from this episode: God is Red by Vine Deloria Jr.

Dr. Django Paris's work is mentioned again, as well as connecting his work with Dr. Gloria Ladson Billings' work.