Two students sitting at a desk while a professor is walking around the classroom

Department of Teaching and Learning News

We are focused on educational research and the preparation of educators at all levels. In addition to our bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs, our professional education programs focus on essential knowledge, established and current research findings, and sound professional practice.

Current Teaching and Learning News

Kenneth Varner in red shirt and arms crossed while standing outside
People |

Kenny Varner, the 2025 Faculty/Staff Community Outreach Award winner, tackles the state's critical teacher shortage through the Nevada Forward Initiative.

black and white photo of Herbert Derfelt
UNLV History |

UNLV’s origin story traces back to one vote by one man, Herb Derfelt. And his legacy continues through generations of family members who followed in his educator footsteps.

Pate Thomas holds a photo of his great-grandfather Herbert Derfelt
UNLV History |

Pate Thomas initially had no desire to add his name to the long list of family members who became Rebels and then educators. Now? He’s a proud alum, a difference-making educator, and the boss of a brand-new high school.

UNLV students walking on campus
Research |

The College of Education's National Institute for the Advancement of Education awarded four faculty research grants that will explore potential solutions for retaining Nevada's teachers.

close up of woman sitting on bench near railing
People |

When not dreaming of travel or watching baseball, this administrative assistant efficiently manages the Department of Teaching and Learning.

group posing in front of sign that reads Ice Age Fossils State Park
Campus News |

GeoPaths program leads to more student-centered and interactive Earth science classes.

Teaching and Learning In The News

TODOS Mathematics For All Podcast

What happens when three Asian American women math educators come together to reflect on their journeys, activism, and the role of mathematics in justice? In this powerful episode, Dr. Kari Kokka—math educator, social justice advocate, and former high school teacher—joins hosts Shari Kaku and Michelle Lo for an inspiring conversation about searching for our own stories, math identity, and community organizing.

Las Vegas Sun

A national teachers union leader came to UNLV this week to learn more about how the university is answering the call to get more educators in classrooms through less-traditional routes.

New India Abroad

Drowsy driving among college students and young drivers in America is a public health challenge that critically impacts road safety drives with the rising number of accidents involving the youth and new drivers, according to a new study published by the public health experts of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

KTNV-TV: ABC 13

Three months after a shooter opened fire on the UNLV campus — terrorizing students, staff and faculty members — the campus seemed normal Tuesday. The weather was picture perfect, birds were chirping and students moved about the campus walkways just outside the Student Union.

KLAS-TV: 8 News Now

It’s part of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Foundation and the nonprofit organization Andson.

KTNV-TV: ABC 13

With ongoing contract disputes between Clark County School District and Clark County Education Association, many question what the future of teachers will look like.

Teaching and Learning Experts

An expert in educational technology and self-regulated learning.
An expert in educational equity and race theory in education.
An expert on teacher preparation and diversity in classrooms.
An expert in mathematics and integrated STEM education.
An expert on STEM education.
An expert in language and literacy practices, critical race theory, and culturally relevant pedagogy.

Recent Teaching and Learning Accomplishments

Cameron Coleman (Teaching and Learning) was asked to serve as a Founding Board Member for Citizens of the World Charter Schools - Las Vegas.
Kari Kokka (Teaching and Learning) gave the Distinguished Lecture for the Cal Poly Pomona Math and Stats Colloquium on April 30, 2025. 
Xue (Cher) Xing (Teaching and Learning), associate professor and program coordinator of Career-Technical & Postsecondary Education at UNLV, received the Association for Career and Technical Education Region V Teacher Educator of the Year award. This award honors teacher educators who demonstrate a commitment to preparing high-quality…
Qingmin Shi (Decision Support), Shaoan Zhang (Teaching and Learning), Yingtao Jiang (Engineering), along with UNLV alumna Chengcheng Li (Ph.D., 2021) and Tiberio Garza (Florida International University), recently presented their research at the annual meeting of the American Education Research Association (AERA) in Denver, Colorado. Their study,…
Holmes Scholar Mayra Marquez-Mendez, Ph.D., (Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Higher Education) and Tina Vo, Ph.D., (Teaching and Learning) presented their work titled, “Understanding Science Teachers’ Support Needs: Assessing the Reliability of a Support-Seeking Instrument,” at the 2025 Annual American Educational Research…
Katrina Liu (Teaching & Learning) and Richard Miller (Music), together with UNLV alumna Lei Ping (Ph.D., 2025) and Christopher R. Crowley from Wayne State University recently published "Testing the Limits of the Practical: Using van Manen’s Framework to Support Prospective Teachers’ Critical Reflection for Transformative Learning" in the…