Heather B. Cunningham

Dr. Heather B. Cunningham is an Associate Professor of Education in the College of Arts & Sciences at Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA. With 13 years of K-12 teaching experience across Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, Honduras, and Malawi, she specializes in preparing educators to address systemic inequities.

• Ph.D. in Instruction and Learning, University of Pittsburgh (2015)
• M.A. in International Training and Education, American University (1997)
• B.A. in Social Sciences, Allegheny College (1993)

Her research focuses on:

• Reimagining classroom management through equity and justice lenses
• Integrating global sustainability frameworks with social justice
• Culturally responsive teaching in urban contexts
• International service-learning applications
• Restorative discipline practices

Recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches combining:

• Environmental education and social justice (2021)
• Restorative discipline models (2020)
• International student teaching methods (2019)
• Equity-focused classroom management (2018)
• Poverty-informed teaching strategies (2017)

Dr. Cunningham teaches undergraduate and graduate teacher education courses, emphasizing the intersection of:

• Teacher cultural identity
• Effective instruction
• Family-community partnerships
• Social justice advocacy