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UC San Diego | Department of Education Studies

May 2026 Issue

Last quarter we had an amazing celebration for EDS 140: Introduction to Action Research in P-12 Education. Our EDS undergraduate students worked hard all quarter learning about action research and designing their own project proposals, all while completing their service-learning practicum. They focus on pressing issues in their classroom placements with a lens of social justice and equity, mentored by instructor Dr. Patricia Hemans and our wonderful TA, JDP student Cassiopeia Guthrie. During their week 10 class celebration, the students presented their poster of their action research proposals to their peers, invited guests, and faculty. We congratulate the EDS 140 PAL students on all their hard work, and cannot wait to see how their research projects progress at the end of this quarter!

Dr. Shana Cohen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education Studies whose research focuses on Mexican heritage families’ experiences with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including how cultural beliefs shape educational decisions, parenting practices, and approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Her work helps inform more culturally responsive support for young Mexican heritage children with autism.

Before joining academia, Dr. Cohen worked as a clinician, early childhood special educator, and advocate for immigrant Latino children with disabilities and their families. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses related to disability studies and inclusive education, including EDS 110R, EDS 111, EDS 164R, and EDS 246. Dr. Cohen is also a native Spanish speaker and is fluent in written and spoken Spanish.

Famous quote: “Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means don’t do it just for yourself. You will want to leave the world a little better for your having lived.” - Ruth Bader Ginsberg

One piece of wisdom I would share with students is to approach every new experience with curiosity, humility, and a sense of wonder. We often enter classes, conversations, and relationships with assumptions about people, ideas, or even ourselves. But some of the most meaningful learning happens when we remain open; when we ask thoughtful questions, listen deeply, assume good intentions, and become comfortable with uncertainty rather than rushing to easy answers. You never know what perspectives you may encounter, what connections you may build, or how much you may grow when you stay genuinely curious about the world and the people around you.

Students surprised to find out about me: I come from a diverse ethnic background. My mother is Cuban, and my father is of Moroccan and Czech heritage. He was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. I speak Spanish fluently, and I am a Sephardic Jew. Growing up within multiple cultural traditions taught me the importance of approaching people and experiences with curiosity, openness, and humility, and it continues to shape the way I connect with others and understand the world.

This month's student spotlight is Cassiopeia Guthrie, a current JDP student pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. Her involvements include: EDS 140/141 Teaching Assistant, 2026; Ed.D. Social Media Consulting/Content, 2025-2026; JDP Cohort 20 Liaison, 2023-2024.

As an educator, I am drawn to opportunities to lead courageous, creative, and equity-minded communities in crafting spaces of belonging, empowerment, inquiry, and agency. As a researcher, I seek to understand how political rhetoric and climate might influence affective conditions and school climate for teachers. Ultimately, I hope to contribute to school systems (across K–12 and higher education) where my work can help advance environments that support students, educators, and the broader community in alignment with these values.

As educators/future educators, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to orchestrate the spaces and experiences that our students deserve. Rather than listening to fear, what might become possible if we instead leaned into courage and intellectual risk-taking? Together, we can grow our capacity to move beyond what feels familiar and towards deeper learning, empathy, and justice.

My favorite thing about EDS is the warmth and generosity of spirit that define the department. Growing as a scholar and researcher alongside my cohort, faculty, staff, and students has been both deeply rewarding and rejuvenating.

Each course in EDS has shaped my thinking in meaningful ways; however, as a practitioner-scholar, I found the immersive EDS 288B course especially intellectually engaging and immediately applicable to my work.

Last year, I had the opportunity to present a collaborative conference session with several colleagues titled “Reimagining Schools as Communities of Care.” The experience created a healing and restorative space for reflection and dialogue and I left the event feeling deeply rooted, affirmed, and joyful. I am grateful to the EDS doctoral program for the ways it has fostered these kinds of opportunities: brokering introductions; nurturing relationships; and creating spaces where meaningful collaboration can grow.

For Alison Black, connection and belonging are essential to learning. A continuing lecturer in the Department of Education Studies, she shares how her experiences led her to start the Jewish Staff and Faculty Tritons Association and create spaces for community on campus.

We are proud to congratulate our faculty member, Jean S. Lee, on her election to the Board of Directors of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). As Director, At-Large, she will help guide the organization’s strategic direction, policy development, and initiatives supporting mathematics education nationwide. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to advancing equitable and high-quality math education, and we are honored to have her representing both our department and University of California San Diego at the national level.

The 2026 AERA Annual Meeting 2026 brought together thousands of sessions centered on “Unforgetting Histories and Imagining Futures,” creating a dynamic space to learn from leading scholars, explore new research, and build meaningful professional connections.

We are excited to recognize Wendy Cheung (left) and Nora Turriago (right) for their recent honors and accomplishments. Wendy received a fellowship from the American Association of University Women, while Nora was honored with the GPSA Outstanding Graduate Peer Mentor Award. Their achievements reflect a strong commitment to scholarship, mentorship, and service, and we are thrilled to celebrate their continued success.

We are thrilled to congratulate Dr. Naomi Lin (left) and Dr. Lillie Ko-Wong  (right) on earning their doctoral degrees. Dr. Lin’s research explores music as a strength-based component of learning in early development, while Dr. Ko-Wong’s work examines how institutional dynamics shape equity efforts in teacher education programs at minority-serving institutions. We celebrate this incredible achievement and look forward to the impact they will continue to make in the field.