Here’s What’s Happening in Ed Studies

Zelda Roland, T 1:30pm-3:20pm

The history, present, and future of higher education in prison seen through the perspective of practitioners, students, alumni, faculty, theorists, and higher ed policymakers. Topics include: prison education and abolition; liberal arts in prison; the history of higher education in the U.S.; the 1994 Pell grant ban for incarcerated students and the restoration of Pell access; citizenship and education; town-gown relationships, reparations, and higher education; the idea of criminality and the idea of studenthood; and the history of the Yale student body. EDST 1110 Reccomended. 

Ryan Pakebusch, M 1:30pm–3:20pm

Description: This course explores how education systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which support the learning of tens of millions of children, can be strengthened through effective, context-responsive innovations and interventions. We will examine a variety of aspects of education systems – such as teacher training, curriculum, financing, and school leadership – through the lenses of policy reform and innovation. Throughout the course, students will develop policy analysis skills by researching and designing knowledge-based innovations and interventions implemented in local and global contexts.

Mira Debs, Tues 1:30-3:20

How K-12 teachers teach depends on numerous pressures including curricular mandates, teacher-student relations, and political pressures. At the heart of many of these debates are questions about how much the classroom is a political space, whether teachers and students can express certain identities, who should be in charge of curriculum, how much autonomy teachers should have in decision-making, and how best to motivate students. There are no easy answers to these questions. Through pairing research in education, neuroscience and psychology, pedagogical instruction, and the insights of expert local teachers, the course examines how teachers creatively adapt to external challenges at this particular moment in order to best support their students. Prerequisite: EDST 1110 recommended

The 2nd Annual Summit on Undergraduate Pathways into Education hosted by the Bank Street College of Education and sponsored by Yale allows undergraduates interested in education to learn more about jobs and career options within the field. It will feature workshops on topics like navigating different pathways to teacher certification, careers like reading specialists and social workers, as well as jobs in education policy, research and philanthropy. It will also feature an address by Jacob Dixon, a special education teacher who established non-profit Choice for All, and opportunities to network with professionals. 

The event is free and open to all college students. Food will be provided. Register here. Email peri@bankstreet.edu with any questions.

Students in the Dwight Hall Public School Internship Program serve in a critical role as liaisons between a New Haven public school and the Yale community by making a 2 year commitment to one institution, learning the needs of the community and directing resources from Yale and Dwight Hall in support of the school. Interns ask what schools need and think creatively about how the Yale community can support them. Interns are expected to spend at least 5 hours onsite each week (6 hours preferred) and 4-5 additional off-site hours (if needed) working on PSI-related work, along with completing weekly reports and attending once-a-month all-PSI meetings.

Since this is a 2 year position that will start in Fall 2026, only current first years and sophomores are eligible to apply. This application is rolling, but the final deadline is January 19th, 11:59pm. Learn more about the position on the PSI website and apply here.

The NHA Student Success Tutoring Program is seeking math and literacy volunteers to support their virtual one-on-one tutoring sessions. The program focuses on data-driven tutoring to boost reading and math proficiency and bridge the achievement gap for housing students in Grades K-5 who do not have access to individualized support otherwise. 

If you are interested in participating or have further questions, contact mcraft@norwalkha.org to learn more. 

The AI Sovereighnty Symposium is seeking a part-time undergraduate student, ideally with an interest in educational equity, social policy, and community organizing to help organize their Spring ‘26 symposium. The AI sovereignty symposium explores how artificial intelligence can be reimagined to serve the values of diverse global communities. The symposium will serve as a bridge between Yale’s AI researchers and New Haven’s immigrant and refugee communities to create new participatory learning environments where non-experts can shape the future of technology. This opportunity is funded through Dwight Hall.

Apply here. Questions can be directed to topher.allen@yale.edu. 

Hill Regional Career High School is seeking dedicated Yale undergraduates with backgrounds in biology to serve as Classroom Assistants in STEM courses. Assistants will support teachers during class sessions,

help guide students during hands-on activities, and contribute to a positive, engaging learning

environment for high-school students. Volunteers will assist teachers for 2-4 hours a week across two class periods. Apply here. Direct any questions to gloria.kim@yale.edu. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 

Big Brothers, Big Sisters, a large network of recognized youth mentoring organizations in the U.S., 

is currently recruiting Yale students to mentor local New Haven elementary school students at the Truman School. No prior mentoring experience is required. Volunteers meet every Thursday from 3:00 – 4:30pm, and  transportation is provided. To join, fill out the application here. Reach out to Jessica Navarro (j.navarro@yale.edu) with any questions. 

Augusta Lewis Troup is a public neighborhood elementary school located just a 15 minute walk from Cross Campus. Troup is looking for Yale volunteers to lead small book clubs during the school day for Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade Students. Because there is enormous variation in reading ability at Troup—even within a single class—book clubs seek to make sure that every student receives instruction tailored to their needs. Volunteers will be paired with a Troup teacher and are required to come in for at least 30 minutes, 2x per week. Open slots are visible on this spreadsheet. To sign up (or get more info), reach out to Gus Renzin (Troup’s public school intern) at gus.renzin@yale.edu.

If you enjoy teaching algebra to kids, there is an opportunity for one or more studen-teachers to support classroom instruction in a New Haven public school, accessible by shuttle. This can be a paid or volunteer position, based on preference. The role requires 2 hours per week in the classroom, and you must be comfortable teaching Algebra to small groups of advanced 8th graders. Please contact Ira Fay at ira@irafay.com to apply.

The Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants’s Youth Team is launching a new afterschool program for refugee and immigrant youth in the New Haven area. They are looking for volunteers to provide English language tutoring, homework help, and college readiness for middle and high school students. They are also seeking volunteer drivers to transport students to and from the program. The program meets weekly from 3:30 to 6 at Yale’s MENA Cultural Community (305 Crown Street). Contact michelle.lee.mel99@yale.edu with any questions. Learn more and apply here. 

The Education Collaboratory at Yale’s reserach study, Disability Discourse Matters, is seeking 2-3 undergraduate education studies students interested in disability rights, K-12 policy, and AI. Disability Discourse Matters collects statements by political leaders about disability, creating a dataset that captures how disability is discussed in the public sphere. Over time, this data will support deeper analysis of how shifts in language relate to changes in law, policy, and public attitudes. Students will work between 5 to 15 asynchronus hours a week. Interested students can email Dr. Christina Cipriano at christina.cipriano@yale.edu to learn more and set up a time to discuss further. 

The New Haven Community of Adult English Leaners is seeking paid tutors to teach English to local language learners. The opportunity does not require tutors to be fluent in another language, and offers training to prospective tutors. The virtual tutoring commitment is 1 hour/week. To learn more about the opportunity or to ask any questions, please contact deirdre.hamilton@new-haven.k12.ct.us.

The Yale Institution for Social and Policy Studies (ISPS) is funding undergraduate student research under its Democratic Innovations program. This can include research funding for senior theses, term papers, summer research, or other independent student research activities. Under this program, students who have research proposals about innovative democratic governance can submit proposals to receive up to $2,000 in research funding. Application instructions and additional information can be found here. Please email any questions to Professor Josh Kalla, the Democratic Innovations Faculty Coordinator, at josh.kalla@yale.edu. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling monthly basis subject to available funding. To be considered, proposals must be submitted by the 10th of each month.

Curious Cardinals is an education company that provides K-12 students with an online forum to discover and pursue their passions with the guidance of college mentors. They are currently searching for STEM student mentors in particular. The position offers flexible hours, $40-60 dollars an hour, and access to professional networking events, a social community, and future job opportunities. Learn more about the position and apply here. Please direct all questions to Curious Cardinals Campus Ambassadors Creed (creed.gardiner@yale.edu) or Devon (devon.sawyer@yale.edu). Applications accepted on a rolling basis. 

Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is a summer academic enrichment program held for 16 & 17 year-old students from all around the world. YYGS hires Yale students to serve as instructional staff to teach and mentor the 2,000 students who participate in one of three academic programs: Innovations in Science & Technology, Politics of Law & Economics, and Solving Global Challenges. Instructing for YYGS is a way for Yale students to gain teaching experience, enrich themselves academically, develop their skills in collaboration. To learn more about YYGS, applicants can visit the employment page and prospectus. The priority deadline has passed. Regular applications are due January 7. 

Breakthrough Collaborative is a national organization that works with students from underserved communities through summer and out-of-school-time programs. The organization is recruiting undergraduates from all majors for its summer teaching residency, a nine-week program that includes more than 100 hours of training and ongoing coaching from professional educators.

Participants receive a living stipend and gain experience in classroom instruction, presentation, and collaboration. Responsibilities include teaching academic and enrichment classes at one of Breakthrough’s 25 affiliate sites and working with students and staff in a structured educational setting. Learn more here and apply here. The early application deadline is January 15, 2026, and the regular decision deadline is February 26, 2026 

The Elm City Montessori School is currently accepting applications for a full-time classroom assistant and a part-time substitute teacher. The Elm City Montessori School is New Haven’s first Montessori school. It is public, and serves racially and economically diverse New Haven public elementary schoolers in PreK-3 through 8th grade. Learn more and apply here. Reach out to david.weinreb@elmcitymontessori.org with any questions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 

The Marcus Autism Center, in conjunction with the Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, offers three funded fellowships to graduated students beginning in July 2026. Learn more about the three fellowships and apply here. Applications are due January 6. 

1. The ACCESS Fellowship in Implementation Science will select fellows for a two-year training in research focused on community engagement participatory methods, translating evidence-based services for autism into community settings, as well as the processes and partnerships that support these efforts.
2. The Cohen Fellowship in Developmental Social Neuroscience will involve social neuroscience and/or neuroimaging research in infants, toddlers and adolescents. Fellows will work to further the understanding of autism through eye-tracking research, guiding a project from the point of data collection to publication of results.
3. The Simons Fellowship in Computational Neuroscience will involve integrating computational strategies with clinical research goals. Fellows will develop methods for the analysis of visual scanning and eye-tracking data, computational models of visual salience, and data visualization techniques, all with the aim of advancing the understanding of autism and efforts at early diagnosis.

The Seedlings Fellowship is a paid collaboration between New Haven’s Calvin Hill Day Care Center and the Yale Child Study Center. The program is for individuals with a dedicated interest in child development, early childhood education, and clinical evaluations and interventions with young children and their families. Fellows participate in two weekly seminars at the Yale Child Study Center, and observe senior clinicians conducting developmental assessments and participate in the ongoing discussion of diagnostic formulations. They also work a full-time schedule at Calvin Hill. See the program description here, the application here, and see the fellowship reference form here. Direct any questions to randi@calvinhilldaycare.org. Applications are due February 23, 2026. 

LEAP is based in New Haven and works with low-income local children, teenagers, and youth adults to provide them with free academic and employment supports, social enrichment, and leadership development. Learn more and apply to each of these opportunities here. All applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 

Major Gifts + Foundation Relations Manager

This role is geared for those interested in building authentic relationships that inspire major philanthropy, managing 70-100 donors and institutional funders. The opportunity is hybrid, and requires a minimum of 5 years of major gift experience. 

Communications Coordinator

The role is geared toward those interested in storytelling through words, visuals, and social media, acting as LEAP’s key social media representative across all platforms. They are seeking a candidate with strong aesthetic instincts and thrive on creating engaging content. The opportunity is hybrid and suited for those with a range of experiences.

Grant Writer Position

LEAP is seeking a creative, highly organized, detail-oriented graduate for their Grant Writer position. The position supports their $7.3M annual operating budget by managing the full grant lifecycle. This position is full time with a hybrid schedule. Learn more about the position responsibilities, qualifications, and salary here. 

Hofstra International Programs is seeking a full-time Instructional & Curriculum Specialist for the 2025-2026 academic year, to holistically support the academic success and integration of international students in the Pathway Program and Academic English Program. The Instructional & Curriculum Specialist is responsible for curriculum writing, facilitating non-credit courses, hosting workshops, advising students, participating in extracurricular events, and assuming responsibilities in materials development/coordination or other needed specialized areas. This position includes a balanced 50/50 split between administrative responsibilities and direct student-facing instructional duties. A strong background in TESOL is essential for this role, including current knowledge of best practices in English language instruction and learning. Learn more and apply here. Reach out to Kristen.A.Coelho@hofstra.edu with any questions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  

Achievement First is a charter school network focusing on closing achievement gaps and is currently accepting applications for teaching positions in its elementary schools. The organization seeks educators who are committed to delivering high-quality instruction and fostering supportive, inclusive learning environments. Applicants should have experience working with K–12 students (two years preferred), hold a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (master’s preferred), and possess or be in the process of obtaining Connecticut certification. Salary ranges from $50,600–$86,989, based on experience and education. Learn more and apply here. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  

Harvard’s Teaching and Teaching Leadership Master’s Program is a one-year, full-time, residential Ed.M. program that prepares educators to transform learning, advance equity, and lead meaningful change in classrooms, schools, and communities. There are two strands: the Teaching Licensure Strand prepares individuals who want to become licensed secondary teachers in Massachusetts in English, science, math, or history, with both a residency and internship option. The deadline for the Teacher Licensure Strand has unfortunately passed. The second starnd is the Teaching and Leading Strand, which is designed for experienced educators who want to deepen their practice or pursue leadership roles. Learn more and apply for the Teacher Licensure Strand here, due January 5. Learn more about fellowships for these programs here. Reach out to rakim_williams@gse.harvard.edu with any questions. 

The Teacher’s College is encouraging those interested in applied linguistiscs and language teaching careers to apply to the Applied Linguistic and TESOL Program. Learn more about their program and information sessions using the flyer below. See the program website and apply here. The priority deadline is January 15, 2026, with the final deadline on April 1, 2026.

Yale University has announced a significant expansion of its Teaching Fellowship Program in collaboration with New Haven Public Schools and Southern Connecticut State University. The expansion includes a new ‘Teacher Pipeline Track’ that merges the existing New Teachers Track and the Paraprofessionals and Support Staff Track. This initiative will train and place up to 100 master’s-level teachers over four years in high-need areas like mathematics, science, and special education, addressing a district-wide shortage of certified educators. Fellows will receive full tuition coverage in exchange for a commitment to teach in New Haven Public Schools for at least three years after graduation.

Interested in joining this transformative effort? Applications for the second cohort are due by January 1, 2026. Attend an info session on Tuesday, September 30th at 6 PM at the New Haven Free Public Library’s Wilson Branch, 303 Washington Avenue. For questions, e-mail Christine Gentry, Director of the Yale Teaching Fellowship, at christine.gentry@yale.edu. Applications are due by January 1, 2026

The Yale-China Association invites graduating seniors to apply for the Yale-China Fellowship, a two-year program for Yale graduates to teach English language or writing in mainland China or Hong Kong. Fellows live and work in teams of four, gain professional experience, study Mandarin or Cantonese, and engage in meaningful cultural exchange. Learn more and apply at yalechina.org/ycf or email education@yalechina.org. The early deadline has pased. The program has a final deadline of February 26, 2026. 

The ACE Teaching Fellowship is a graduate teaching fellowship and formation experience at the University of Notre Dame. The program allows students to earn a tuition-free Master of Education while serving two years as a K-12 teacher and having an impact in Catholic schools. Direct any questions to dayra.mejia-reyes@yale.edu. Learn more and apply at https://ace.nd.edu/programs/teach. 

This Math Book Club is a low low-commitment, social book club on math books written for the aerage reader. They plan to read titles like Steven Strogatz’s The Joy of x, Paul Lockhart’s Measurement, and Eli Maor’s e: The Story of a Number, and use them to spark friendly discussions about both the math conceptions and how they are presented. The club is open to all and will meet every 2 months, with the first date being set by poll once enough interest has been expressed. To join or to ask any questions, please reach out to samuel.brudner@yale.edu.