Dr. Hansen has taught in areas of Elementary Methods of Mathematics, Science and Social Studies Education as well as Teacher Action Research, Curriculum Innovations and Creativity. As a pedagogy expert, Dr. Hansen has given numerous professional presentations to teachers and administrators in the local San Diego area, throughout the US and in international settings. She was among an international team of educators who was invited to assist in the development of a new system of schools in the Republic of Kazakhstan. She has twice been awarded USD’s “University Professorship”, an award based on contributions at USD in teaching and research. She has co-authored two textbooks (1) Curriculum and Instruction for the 21stCentury and (2) The Change Leader in Education: Roles and Strategies in the Differentiated Environment.
Dr. Hansen has also been active working with educators on a variety of grants including:
- California Mathematics and Science Partnership (CaMSP) Grant
- Teaching American History grants with the goal of improving teachers’ content and pedagogical knowledge in teaching American History,
- A grant from SDG&E with a goal to develop and evaluate an innovative STEM strategy that uses place-based learning and 21st Century workplace skills for underrepresented high school students
- A grant from the National Corporation for Community Service to study the integration of service learning into teacher education.
Currently Dr. Hansen teach in both our on-ground credential and masters’ program, and in the online MEd program. In summer 2018, she will lead EDUC 521: Learning and Cognition.
She has recently contracted with Teachers College Press to publish her newest book in 2019: The Heart and Science of Teaching: Powerful Applications for Every Classroom. Her new book is intended to be a professional development text for both elementary and secondary teachers. The text highlights the connections between essential social-emotional factors and critical cognitive aspects which enhance learning for all students. Dr. Hansen believes when a teacher makes a difference in the classroom, a difference is made in the world. Dr, Hansen once heard a second grade teacher say she starts the day asking her second graders “How do you want to be when you grow up?”
Incorporating the latest educational and neuroscience research, historical examples, case studies, and practical classroom examples; the book will focus on classroom applications of evidence-based instruction and social-emotional learning (SEL). Current and emerging research components of each will be addressed in three sections: (1) The Heart of Teaching: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL); (2) The Science of Teaching: Evidence-based Instructional Practices; and, (3) 21st Century Classroom Applications.
We look forward to celebrating the publication and hope you will join us in doing so.
