Ester de Jong

Dr. Ester de Jong is a full-time Professor in the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education program and serves as the Associate Dean for Research and Academic Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver's School of Education & Human Development (SEHD). She joined SEHD in 2022 and has an extensive background in academic leadership, including prior roles as Director of the School of Teaching and Learning at the University of Florida and leadership positions in the TESOL International Association.

Her research focuses on bilingual education, teacher training for English language learners (ELL), and language policy. She has published extensively in journals like Bilingual Research Journal, TESOL Quarterly, and Language Policy. Dr. de Jong also co-edits the Bilingual Research Journal and contributed to the 2024 Handbook of Dual Language Bilingual Education (Routledge).

Dr. de Jong has secured multimillion-dollar grants, including projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Spencer Foundation, and Florida Department of Education. Her leadership extends to faculty mentoring and advancing inclusive excellence in education. She holds an EdD and has served on the Faculty Assembly at CU Denver.

• Role: Associate Dean for Research and Academic Affairs
• Program: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education
• Leadership: Former Director of the School of Teaching and Learning (University of Florida), Past President of TESOL International Association