Background

Emilia Wenzel is a doctoral student in the Department of Comparative Human Development. She graduated in 2018 with a B.A. in Psychology and minor in Applied Developmental Psychology from University of California, Los Angeles. Emilia was an educator in Chicago and taught second grade in both Washington Park and Brighton Park neighborhoods. She also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education.

Research

Emilia’s research examines preschool teachers’ beliefs and practices around early math learning, with a focus on how they interpret and respond to information about children’s math skill. Using qualitative interviews and survey methods, she examines how teacher expectations influence classroom interactions and instructional decisions. Additionally, she has studied teachers’ perceptions of student experiences of trauma, applying qualitative interview methods to understand how these perceptions might shape the ways teachers describe teaching practices and social emotional supports for students.