A distinguished graduate of Miami University's TAL (Teaching and Learning) program, Abby Schwenger has quickly established herself in the field of educational research. As an undergraduate, Schwenger was the recipient of the 2022 Maxine Wishart Agent of Change Award in recognition of her academic excellence and contributions to extracurricular activities.
Her passion for education, particularly in a multilingual and multicultural environment, has propelled her career forward and led her to a prominent role at New York University (NYU).
After graduation, Schwenger secured a research fellowship at New York University, allowing her to become deeply involved in educational research and professional development.
“It was a really amazing opportunity, and this research experience has prepared me tenfold for the work I'm doing for my PhD,” she said.
In this role, Schwenger works with New York City teachers, conducting classroom observations and contributing to the design of research tools aimed at improving STEM education for multilingual learners.
“We are developing classroom observation protocols and surveys,” Schwenger says, “to measure whether teachers are serving multilingual learners according to the benefits shown in the research.”
Her work is integral to a research project led by New York University professor Oki Lee, who was a professor at the University of Miami for 20 years until 2011.
In addition to her role at NYU, Schwenger recently published an article on formative assessment in bilingual science classrooms.
“It was a wonderful experience to work with one of the teachers who participated in the study and write my first paper together,” she said, reflecting on the importance of her work in introducing effective teaching methods for multilingual learners.
Schwenger's passion for education, particularly supporting multilingual learners in STEM-related subjects, was discovered during his time at the University of Michigan.
“Scott Grapin's classes were really inspiring,” she says, “not only did I learn about the language, but also the culture and really powerful pedagogy and curriculum.”
Her experiences in bilingual classes during her senior year at the University of Michigan and her exposure to innovative research under the tutelage of professors like Professor Grapin played a key role in shaping her interests. This foundation not only guided her professional path, but also inspired her to develop her own research interests within the NYU Project.
In 2023, Schwenger will begin her doctoral studies at New York University, focusing on how multilingual learners use data science, computer science, and language to address STEM-related justice issues.
“It's really interesting to think that if it was that hard for me to thrive in a privileged environment, how much harder it must be for students who are learning a second language,” she said.
Her research aims to create inclusive and equitable learning environments where all students can thrive in STEM education, regardless of their linguistic background.
“The most rewarding part has definitely been working with teachers and students,” Schwenger said, “and when I hear that a lot of students who are normally quiet all day are excited to come to science class and share their ideas, it makes me feel like we're doing something that really matters.”