Early Childhood Education

A young girl throws paper leaves in the air while her teacher and another student look on.

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Program Area Coordinator and Advisor
Jennifer K. Adair

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program area focuses on the social, cultural, racial, academic and political intersections of young children entering grades preschool – 3rd grade. Our area features nationally and internationally recognized scholars working on early childhood policy, pedagogy, teacher development, curriculum, and advocacy. Students can choose between an M.Ed., M.A. or Ph.D. concentration in Early Child Education.

We provide a comprehensive approach to mentoring graduate students through teaching and research so that they can successfully pursue careers addressing the local and global issues facing young children and their communities. Our students are committed to improving early childhood education and addressing inequalities for an increasingly diverse group of young children. Our graduates demonstrate the importance of creating dynamic, engaging, high-quality and culturally relevant and sustaining early childhood learning environments for all children and the communities in which they live.

Faculty

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Jennifer K. Adair

Professor

Research interests focus on inequities in early schooling and the intersection of immigration, race and early childhood.