Education Program

Leah Gordon holds a joint PhD in history and education from the University of Pennsylvania. She has particular interests in the history of education, intellectual history, the relationship between social science and social policy, and ideas about race, class and inequality in modern America. Gordon's first book, "From Power to Prejudice: The Rise of Racial Individualism in Midcentury America" (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2015), received the 2016 Linda Eisenmann Prize from the History of Education Society. Gordon is currently working on "Imagining Opportunity: Education and Equality in Modern America" (under contract with the University of Chicago Press), a history of the idea that schooling can equalize the social and economic structure. She has received awards and fellowships from the Spencer Foundation, the National Academy of Education, the American Council of Learned Societies and Stanford University's Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity.

Danielle Igra's research areas include the Pedagogy of Teacher Education and the Teaching of English Language Arts. She currently teaches Fundamentals of Teaching, Pedagogy of English and Reflective Teaching. Before coming to Brandeis, Igra worked at Stanford University, where she also earned a PhD in teacher education, an MA in English, and an MA in teaching. Igra taught high school English for nine years in public schools and has taught in graduate programs in secondary, elementary and early childhood education. As a teacher development and research consultant, she has worked in the fields of literacy, large scale assessment, higher education and Jewish education.

Rachel Kramer Theodorou has been a classroom elementary and ESL teacher for more than 20 years in both public and private schools. Alongside her practical work, Rachel consults with Waltham Public Schools, MATSOL, EDCO and the Waltham Family School on matters ranging from instructional practices for teaching English Learners, to promoting ESL teacher leadership in professional development, and in methods for forging productive family relationships between school and home.

Margery Sokoloff is the associate director of the Teacher Leadership Program and a field instructor for secondary English teachers in the MAT program. Sokoloff has worked as an educator since 1989 and as a teacher educator since 2006, when she joined the faculty of the Bread Loaf School of English. She has taught English at the high school and college levels in Miami and Boston. Sokoloff holds a BA and PhD in English literature from Yale University.

Eileen Kell is the Senior Department Coordinator for the Education Program.  She has taught middle school English Language Arts and drama in both public and independent schools.

Howie Baker is executive director of the Lemberg Children's Center and the early education and care component and supervisor for practicum students. His 46-year career at Brandeis and in early education policy and practice has been to support learning together, inclusion of children with diverse educational needs, parent-school collaborations, standards of care, reflective practice and leadership. He is co-president of the Council of Child Development Lab Schools and director of the American Psychological Associations' ACT Raising Safe Kids Boston Regional Center, a violence prevention and parenting education program.

I'm Brianna, a dedicated educator from Hartford, CT, with a passion for teaching and advocating for others. Currently pursuing a major in Education Studies and a minor in Elementary Teacher Education, I'm committed to empowering students to reach their full potential. As a co-president of the Brandeis chapter of "Aspiring Educators," I strive to create a supportive environment for future educators and foster a love for teaching among our members. When not in the classroom or leading, you can find me dancing, enjoying its expression and relaxation. Together, let's make a positive impact on education!

Sofia is a senior majoring in Education Studies, minoring in Politics and Legal Studies.  This fall, she will be applying to grad school to obtain her Masters and Certification in Early Childhood Education. Although she wants to pursue a career in teaching, her interests in education are very broad, as she has taken a variety of classes in ED Studies. In addition to being a UDR at Brandeis, she works at Lemberg for her work study, serves as the President of Girl Up, a member of Cru, and interns at a housing non-profit in Waltham called WATCH CDC. In her free time, she enjoys watching her shows and movies on Netflix and Disney, spending time with her family and friends, taking pictures, journaling, singing and dancing to Kpop and R&B music, and working out. She is super excited to serve as a UDR in her senior year, as she loves meeting new people and is eager to pass on some helpful wisdom and advice to fellow ED majors!

Zaire is the second child of three and is a first-generation college student from the Bronx, New York, who is majoring in Education Studies with a minor in Teacher Education. He found his passion in teaching at a very young age in his schooling, and it has ultimately led him to where he is today. He served as the youngest hire for the NYC Department of Education as a member of TRQ as a consultant for early career pathways such as NYC Educators Rising Program and NYC Men Teach. He currently serves on a student advisory board for the NYS Department of Education as a board member supporting guidelines for NYC high school students to receive a high school diploma. He is working on establishing an education-based chapter here on campus for those interested in pursuing a career in teaching.