Jean Kirshner

Dr. Jean Kirshner is an Assistant Professor and Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator at the University of Northern Colorado's (UNC) College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Education from Colorado State University (2019), an M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Colorado Denver (1994), and a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming (1988).

Her research focuses on Early Childhood Education, Emergent Literacy, and International Teacher Development, with a particular emphasis on decolonizing pedagogy and global citizenship education. She co-authored key works like Decolonizing Transcultural Teacher Education (Routledge, 2021–2023) and Teaching Social Studies in the Early Childhood Classroom (2025). Her work explores how crises like the pandemic reshape global educational practices and identities.

Dr. Kirshner has taught at the University of Northern Colorado since 2021. Prior to this, she spent 15 years as a first-grade teacher in Douglas County School District (2006–2021) and earlier roles as a kindergarten teacher, Head Start supervisor, and director of an early childhood program. She has been recognized with awards including the Douglas County Teacher Apple Award (2012) and multiple Outstanding Educator titles (1999–2003).

Her research integrates participatory action research methodologies to address global educational inequities. Recent studies include analyzing pandemic impacts on Belizean communities and leveraging technology for transcultural teacher collaboration. She leads research initiatives on global citizenship development in early childhood classrooms, emphasizing transnational partnerships and culturally responsive pedagogy.