Andrea Glaws, assistant professor in the School of Education at Colorado State University, wants to make an impact with students by encouraging them to explore, expand, and apply their knowledge as they study to become future teachers.
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I was born in Wisconsin and lived in Wisconsin through college. Since college, I have lived in Texas, Massachusetts, and Colorado. I have a B.A. in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Wisconsin- Madison, an M.Ed. in language and literacy from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in literacy studies and teacher, learning, research and practice from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Outside of academia, I love to spend time with my family. I have a nineteen-month-old daughter and a fourteen-year-old black lab, both who love taking walks around the neighborhood and going to the park.
What brought you to the School of Education at CSU?
I was drawn to the Center for Educator Preparation at CSU because I am deeply committed to the School of Education’s vision of developing and supporting teachers in enacting practices grounded in equity and justice. I was also excited by the opportunities at CSU to contribute to the growth of the undergraduate secondary program and build partnerships with local teachers and schools through the professional development school model.
What are your research and/or teaching interests, and how did you get interested in that topic?
My research and professional interests lie at the nexus of teacher education and literacy studies. My work focuses on teaching literacy in K-12 classrooms for equity aims and supporting secondary pre- and in-service teachers as they enact equity-focused literacy instruction in their classrooms. My research interests stem from my own experiences as a K-12 classroom teacher and my commitments to equity and justice. Through my role at CSU, I hope to continue to build upon these interests as I work with pre- and in- service teachers at CSU and in the Fort Collins community.
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching experience at the university level as well as my time as a K-12 teacher have greatly shaped my teaching philosophies. As an instructor, I prioritize developing humanizing relationships with my students and strive to create an inclusive learning environment that allows students to critically think about and apply their learning to the world around them. In the classroom I view my role as a facilitator who guides students in exploring, expanding, and applying knowledge rather than an expert who imparts knowledge onto students.
What is your favorite thing about CSU so far?
The students! The students in my classes have been absolutely amazing, and I am so excited for the semester ahead!
The School of Education is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
