Devon Hedrick-Shaw

Dr. Devon Hedrick-Shaw is an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois' College of Education, specializing in language, literacy, and bilingual education. With a PhD from the University of Colorado Boulder (2025) and MA from Teachers College, Columbia University (2014), his research focuses on teacher preparation policies, queer pedagogy, and anti-oppressive education frameworks for multilingual learners.

• Ph.D., University of Colorado Boulder (2025)
• M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University (2014)

His interdisciplinary research bridges:

• Bilingual education equity
• Teacher learning at policy intersections
• Queer pedagogy applications
• Critical policy analysis in education
• Alternative certification models
• Longitudinal studies of educator development

Research trends show consistent focus on:

• Alternative teacher certification (3/6 publications)
• Bilingual special education (2/6)
• Queer theory integration (2/6)
• Freirean culture circles (2/6)
• Online learning methodologies
• Pandemic-era educational adaptations

Scientific recognition includes:

• 2025 Dissertation Research Fellowship
• 2025 Outstanding PhD Teaching Award
• 2024 Graduate Instructor Excellence
• 2021 John Dewey Society paper award

A former bilingual elementary teacher in NYC (Spanish/English), he applies lived experience to developing teacher preparation models that address:

• Systemic teacher shortages
• Anti-LGBTQ+ educational environments
• Intersectional language-special education policies
• Online collaborative learning frameworks