Jennifer Mata-McMahon

Jennifer Mata-McMahon is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). She holds a BA from Universidad Metropolitana (Venezuela), and MA, EdM, and EdD degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her expertise spans Early Childhood Education, Bilingual/Bicultural Education, and Spirituality in Education. She has extensive teaching experience across multiple levels (infant/toddler to graduate) in the US and internationally, alongside professional development work and program evaluations in India, New York, and Illinois.

• Education:
• B.A., Early Childhood Education, Universidad Metropolitana (Caracas, Venezuela)
• M.A., Ed.M., Ed.D., Early Childhood Education, Teachers College, Columbia University

Her research focuses on integrating spirituality into early childhood education, cultural competency, and bilingual pedagogical practices. Her publications include Spiritual Experiences in Early Childhood Education (2015) and co-edited Spirituality: An Interdisciplinary View (2016). She also authored Ambiente en Acción (2006), exploring educational environments.

Through her joint appointment with the Sherman Center, she conducts school-based research and provides professional development to early childhood educators. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world applications of educational theory.