Vishodana Thamotharan, Ed.D.

Programs/Classes Taught:

SCE 480B: Methods of Teaching Science (Elementary)
MGE 510: Methods of Teaching Middle Grades Science
ELE 577/MGE 577: Teaching and Learning in Context

University Faculty Liaison
University Supervisor 

Areas of Expertise:

Science Education; Urban Education; Multicultural Education; Social Justice Education; Culturally Relevant Teaching; Teacher Education in Multicultural Societies

Biography:

Dr. Vishodana Thamotharan is the Director of STEM Initiatives at National Louis University in the National College of Education.  Prior to coming to NLU, Dr. Thamotharan served as the Associate Director of FIUteach- the secondary science and math teacher preparation program at Florida International University.  Throughout the years, Dr. Thamotharan has served as an Assistant Professor, Chemistry Teacher, New Teacher Mentor, Science Department Chair and the Science Teacher Leader for the district. She teaches courses that range from science methods to working families, schools and communities.  Throughout her career Dr. Thamotharan maintains a focus on redistributing power and re-centering narratives and voices in STEM education, with a particular emphasis on Black and Brown youths’ experience in STEM.

Education:

Ed.D., Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Teacher Education in Multicultural Societies, University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA).

M.A., Education & California Single Subject Credential in Chemistry, Stanford University (Palo Alto, CA).

B.S., Molecular, Cell and Development Biology & Minor in Education, University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA). 

Research and Interests:

Dr. Thamotharan’s research interests include STEM Teaching Identity and Multicultural Teaching and the relationship of instructional choices with preservice teaching beliefs and practices.

Contact Information:

vthamotharan@nl.edu
(847) 947-5334