Teaching
Through teaching and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students, I support the development of future educational leaders and critical scholars who are equipped to think critically and transform educational spaces.
I have seven years of experience teaching courses in educational foundations and education policy. Guided by critical, constructivist learning theories, I strive to offer ideological, relational, and material supports for students.
I design courses to help students understand contemporary debates about K-12 education, engage with existing scholarship, and contribute their own scholarly knowledge on these topics. I have taught or co-taught virtual (synchronous) and in-person courses in the UW Department of Educational Policy Studies and Department of Curriculum and Instruction at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. View my full teaching philosophy.
"The course touches on several significant issues that are important in education today. Abby took some time to discuss the state superintendent race in class prior to the election, and while I already had done my research on the candidates, I still really appreciated that time was taken to educate everyone about the upcoming election. Abby is also clearly passionate about the course's subject matter and student participation, and was always available if students had questions. I appreciated her asking that every student sign up for an office hours appointment at the start of the semester--I thought it was really nice and something that more instructors should do to get students more comfortable with taking advantage of office hours and simply help instructors and students get to know each other."
-Undergraduate student course evaluation, EPS 150: Democracy & Education (Spring 2021)
When in discussion, there is always a lot of meaningful ideas to engage with and that is very important to an effective learning environment. It pushed me to look beyond the surface and challenge my own ideas. Additionally, I liked the application of course materials to a classroom setting. We often talked about how to implement our ideas based on the readings into a potential future classroom of ours, which was very helpful.
-Undergraduate student course evaluation, EPS 200: Race Ethnicity & Education (Fall 2023)
Abby, the course instructor, was meticulous in her communications on a weekly basis and provided multiple places for us to find the materials and assignments required for each week, which made the course easier to manage and maneuver through. The readings, videos, podcasts, etc. that coincided with the week's lecture drove home my understanding for the concepts and ideas being taught that week and solidified my deeper understanding in a more concrete, yet complex way. Abby did a really great job leading this course, especially for it being an asynchronous online course. She was always willing to assist you if you need help as individual or during the group project.
-Undergraduate student evaluation, EPS 300, School & Society (online, asynchronous- Summer 2022)
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sole Instructor
Democracy & Education (Spring 2021, Spring 2023, Summer 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024). View syllabus.
Schools & Society (Fall 2022, Summer 2022, Fall 2024). View syllabus.
Race, Ethnicity, and Inequality in American Education (Fall 2023, Spring 2024). View syllabus.
International Educational Development (Fall 2023)
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Teaching Assistant
Democracy & Education (Fall 2020)
Comparative Education (Fall 2016)
Philosophical Conceptions of Teaching & Learning (Spring 2016)
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Supervisor
ECE/ESL Practicum- Early Childhood Education (Fall 2015)