Judit Szente

Judit Szente is a Professor in the School of Teacher Education at the University of Central Florida, specializing in early childhood education, teacher preparation, and international education initiatives. Her work emphasizes supporting vulnerable populations, including refugee and migrant children.

• Education: Ph.D. in Elementary Education (2001) from SUNY at Buffalo; B.A. in Elementary Education and English as a Second Language from Hungary.

Research Interests: Szente’s scholarship focuses on preparing teachers for culturally diverse classrooms, disaster response in early childhood education, and global education policies. She has led cross-cultural programs in Finland, Italy, and Ethiopia, fostering international collaboration.

Contributions: Her recent publications examine pandemic-era teaching adaptations, virtual classroom engagement, and systemic support for children in crises. These works highlight pedagogical innovations and policy recommendations for early childhood educators.

Leadership: Szente serves as:

• United Nations Representative for the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)
• Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education and Early Childhood Education Journal