Heather Johnson

Committed to excellence in scholarship on science education, Heather Johnson serves as a Professor of the Practice of Science Education at Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University. Her research is centered on the development of supports for teacher learning and their subsequent impact on both teacher practice and student learning. With a keen interest in the dynamics of classroom interaction, she explores how teachers can be better equipped to attend to and respond to students' ideas about science, thereby fostering a more engaging and effective learning environment. Professor Johnson's work delves into the nuances of how teachers adjust their instructional strategies in response to various supports, aiming to enhance the educational experience for students. Her research not only contributes to the theoretical understanding of teacher learning but also offers practical insights that can be applied in educational settings to improve science teaching practices. In addition to her research, Heather Johnson is the Principal Investigator of a National Science Foundation-funded Noyce Scholarship Program. This initiative is dedicated to recruiting and retaining STEM teachers in urban secondary schools, addressing the critical need for qualified educators in these areas. Through this program, she is committed to preparing a new generation of teachers who are equipped to inspire and educate students in STEM fields, ultimately contributing to the broader goal of improving science education in diverse and underserved communities.