Lara Ragpot

Lara Ragpot is a full professor in the School of Education at Trinity Western University (TWU) and Director of the Master of Arts in Educational Studies – Special Education (MAES-SPED). She holds a Research Associate position at the University of Johannesburg (South Africa). Her work focuses on childhood development, special education, and teacher education with a particular emphasis on early mathematical cognition and executive functioning. She has conducted international collaborative research in South Africa, Finland, Germany, and other regions.

Education:

• DEd Psych (University of Johannesburg)
• MEd Psych (University of Johannesburg)
• BEd Hons (University of Johannesburg)
• HOD (University of Pretoria)
• BA (University of Pretoria)

Research Interests: Dr. Ragpot’s research explores the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and pedagogy, with a focus on:

• Mathematical competence in early childhood
• Executive functioning and its impact on learning
• Teacher preparation for inclusive education
• Culture-fair assessment tools
• Multimodal teaching methods

Awards:

• 2015 National Excellence in Teaching Award (CHE/HELTASA)
• 2014 Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award (University of Johannesburg)

Grants:

• South African Adaptation of the Finnish ThinkMath Intervention (NRF/URC, 2016–2017)
• Early Mathematical Cognition Thuthuka Grant (NRF, 2014–2016)
• Pre-school Child Profiling Project (SASOL/Rotary, 2019–2020)

Dr. Ragpot has pioneered innovative educational films (e.g., #TaxiMaths series) and co-developed the MARKO-D mathematical cognition test for South African contexts. She actively contributes to teacher education through courses like EDUC 211 and EDUC 310, emphasizing active, multimodal learning strategies.