Jennifer Olson, PhD
Associate Dean for Teacher Education
Clinical Associate Professor, Curriclum and Instruction
Curriculum & Instruction
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Contact
Building & Room:
3016 ETMSW
Address:
1040 W. Harrison St. (MC 147), Chicago, IL 60607
Office Phone:
Email:
Related Sites:
About
Jennifer Olson is Associate Dean for Teacher Education and Clinical Associate Professor in the College of Education at the University of Illinois Chicago. She provides strategic leadership for educator preparation programs, overseeing curriculum, licensure alignment, and partnerships that support the development of teachers for Chicago Public Schools and other urban districts.
Dr. Olson’s work focuses on strengthening the educator workforce through innovative program design, clinical partnerships, and systems of support that promote student success and persistence. She leads initiatives that align teacher preparation with state standards and district needs, while advancing equity-centered practices in urban education. Her leadership includes oversight of program approval and accreditation processes, as well as the development of new pathways and credentials that respond to evolving workforce demands.
A committed advocate for global learning, Dr. Olson serves as Faculty Director for study abroad programs in Brazil and Costa Rica. Her international work centers on the intersection of education, globalization, and equity, fostering cross-cultural partnerships and experiential learning opportunities for students. She is also an active leader in the University of Illinois System’s Brasillinois initiative, supporting collaborative research and dialogue focused on democracy, inclusion, and education.
Dr. Olson’s scholarship and professional engagement focus on teacher preparation, international education, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. She frequently collaborates with school and community partners to design programs that expand access to the teaching profession and support educators across their careers.
Selected Publications
Shah, J., Wexler, L., Rao, A., & Olson, J.D. (2024). Shifting pedagogies, philosophies, and priorities: The experiences of first year teachers beginning a career during a pandemic. Educational Studies.
Shah, J., Wexler, L., Rao, A., & Olson, J.D. (2024). How about a round of applause: Assets, dispositions, and contributions of first year teachers during parallel pandemics of 2020. Teaching Education.
De Voto, C., Olson, J.D., & Gottlieb, J. (2021). Examining diverse perspectives of edTPA policy implementation across states: The good, the bad, and the ugly. Journal of Teacher Education, 72(1), 42-55.
Rao, A. B., Olson, J. D., & Koss, M. D. (2020). Teacher candidate perspectives of edTPA readiness: preparation programs and edTPA supports. Teaching Education, 1-18.
Cummings, M. I., & Olson, J. D. (2019). The importance and potential of community partnerships in urban schools in an era of high-stakes accountability. Improving Schools, 1-16.
Olson, J.D. & Rao, A. (2017). Adopting edTPA as a high stakes assessment: Resistance, advocacy, and reflection in Illinois. Midwestern Educational Researcher, 29(4), 377-402.
Olson, J. D., & Rao, A.B. (2016). Becoming a culturally responsive teacher: The impact of clinical experiences in urban schools. Journal of Urban Learning, Teaching, and Research, 12, 133-141.