John L. Samuels Jr.
Position title: Course Instructor
Pronouns: he/him/his
Email: jlsamuels@wisc.edu
BA, Developmental Psychology, CUNY School of Professional Studies
MA, Philosophy of Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
MA, Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology, Harvard Graduate School of Education
John currently teaches three sections of a course for CAE students—Belong, Explore, Become: Discovering Your UW Paths—in which he guides students to examine self and community in connection to their liberal-arts education. He brings more than 25 years of experience during which he has worked in both traditional and progressive educational spaces.
John is currently a third-year doctoral student studying Curriculum and Instruction in the School of Education. His current research projects include an examination of a pedagogical approach rooted in kinship, community, and care, and another on classroom motivation and engagement.
John approaches his work in CAE through a relational lens, emphasizing trust, encouragement, and responsive teaching. He joined CAE because he believes in the power of educational spaces that affirm the whole student.
He enjoys music performance and writing, catching action movies in the theater, and developing educational initiatives that uplift communities and expand opportunities for young people from all backgrounds.