At the UCF School of Teacher Education, research and partnerships go hand in hand to strengthen the future of education. Our faculty lead high-impact research that shapes how educators teach and students learn — from early literacy and STEM education to instructional practices and teacher preparation. Through deep, long-standing partnerships with school districts, private schools, and community organizations, we ensure that our program remains connected to real classrooms and real challenges.

Whether you're a student gaining hands-on experience, a faculty member driving innovation, or a partner helping us extend our impact, you'll find a collaborative environment committed to transforming education for all learners.

Research Areas

Inside Our Research

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Centers and Institutes

Morgridge International Reading Center

The Morgridge International Reading Center (MIRC) serves as a hub for literacy-focused research, scholarship and innovation. UCF School of Teacher Education faculty are deeply involved in MIRC’s work, contributing to research that informs best practices in literacy instruction and teacher preparation. Through global partnerships and evidence-based initiatives, MIRC plays a role in advancing literacy outcomes for learners at every level.

Visit the MIRC website

Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute

The Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute (TJEEI) is a collaborative institute focused on advancing research and practice that supports individuals with disabilities and their families. UCF School of Teacher Education faculty work closely with TJEEI on externally funded research and teacher preparation projects, often involving students in hands-on experiences that bridge research and service. With a focus on academic achievement, communication, behavior and independence, TJEEI offers a dynamic dynamic environment for interdisciplinary inquiry and innovation. From technology-assisted learning to family-centered supports, TJEEI is a key driver of research that shapes exceptional student education in Florida and beyond.

Visit the TJEEI website

Student Research Opportunities

Research is a core part of the student experience in the UCF School of Teacher Education. Whether you're an undergraduate exploring a research question for the first time or a doctoral student collaborating with faculty on a funded project, you'll find rich opportunities to engage in hands-on inquiry that makes a real-world impact in classrooms and communities.

Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate students can participate in a variety of research experiences, from joining faculty-led projects to conducting their own independent research through UCF’s Honors Undergraduate Thesis program. Many students work directly with faculty or doctoral students on projects that explore timely issues in education, including instructional practices, community engagement and technology-assisted learning.

In the Child Development and Early Childhood Education programs, students learn to ask and answer research questions through hands-on inquiry projects. These culminate in research presentations where students share their findings, developing both academic and professional communication skills.

Through the Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute, undergraduates often support direct service to families while gaining valuable research experience. For example, undergraduate students may assist with group activities for children while doctoral students lead parent training sessions. These opportunities build skills and insight that prepare students for advanced study or education careers.

Graduate Research

Master’s programs across the school are designed with research at their core, incorporating inquiry, applied projects and comprehensive examinations. Graduate students benefit from strong partnerships with local schools and access to real-time data, allowing them to contribute to evidence-based strategies that improve teacher performance and student outcomes.

In one ongoing project, graduate students are using wearable technology to explore the physical and emotional stressors faced by educators and students. The goal is to better understand the challenges teachers encounter and develop strategies to help them thrive, especially in the critical first five years of their careers.

Within the Early Childhood Education and Development graduate program, students also participate in a Graduate Research Symposium, where speakers share emerging research in the field. Students are encouraged to propose and present their own mini-research projects and develop conference proposals with faculty mentorship.

Doctoral Research

Doctoral students in the School of Teacher Education often collaborate with principal investigators on externally funded projects that explore everything from AI and robotics in special education to classroom management techniques. These projects frequently engage undergraduate and master’s students as research assistants, building collaborative teams that span academic levels.

In a recent project with UCP of Central Florida, doctoral students led an initiative on robotics and social communication for children with autism. Other projects examine technology use, family engagement, and classroom interventions that improve teacher retention and student learning.

Partnerships

The UCF School of Teacher Education is built on strong, sustained partnerships that enhance every aspect of our work — from teaching and learning to research and community impact. We collaborate with school districts across Florida, including Orange, Miami-Dade, Duval, Alachua and Hillsborough counties, among others. Our network also includes specialized partners like UCP of Central Florida and Nemours Children’s Health. These relationships create meaningful opportunities for students to apply their learning in real-world settings, while supporting grant-funded research that drives innovation in education. Together, we are preparing the next generation of educators and advancing the field through shared knowledge, experience and purpose.

Advisory Board

The UCF School of Teacher Education’s Advisory Board brings together superintendents from local school districts, as well as other educational leaders from across Florida, to help guide our programs, strengthen partnerships and ensure we’re preparing future educators to meet today’s educational needs. Their insight helps us stay connected to classrooms and communities while advancing excellence in teaching, research and service.

Conferences

At UCF’s School of Teacher Education, we believe that knowledge is power — and when we share it, we empower each other to become leaders and innovators in education. Our school accomplishes this by fostering collaboration with fellow educators, scholars and researchers in a variety of conference, symposium and professional society settings. As outlets for networking, conducting research and engaging in professional development opportunities, these spaces also offer resources designed to provide curricular support and enhance best educational practices.

Literacy Symposium

As a professional learning outreach initiative promoting the advancement of literacy and reading education, the UCF Literacy Symposium offers PreK-12 educators valuable insights and tools for engaging learners in literacy and content knowledge. The Literacy Symposium follows a different them in recent literacy scholarship each year, providing participants with a closer look into current disciplinary trends and challenges through webinars and monthly newsletters.

Visit the Literacy Symposium website

The International Society for the Social Studies

The International Society for the Social Studies (ISSS) is a nonprofit professional society that aims to promote the importance of social studies education worldwide. ISSS encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between educators, scholars and leaders in the field via publication through both The Journal of Social Studies Research and the society’s annual conference.

Visit the ISSS website

Teaching with Primary Sources

Through the Teaching with Primary Sources Program at UCF, K-12 educators statewide have access to free professional development opportunities that empower them to enhance classroom instruction using digitized primary sources. The program is funded by a grant from the Library of Congress, which offers millions of primary sources like books, recordings, photographs and manuscripts.

Visit the TPS website

Let’s Work Together

Have an idea for a project? Looking for research collaborators? We’re always excited to connect with schools, organizations and community partners who share our passion for education and innovation. We’d love to hear from you!

Partner With Us