Nicholas Johnson

Nicholas Johnson is an Associate Professor in the School of Teacher Education at San Diego State University. His research examines mathematics learning in early childhood, teacher-student interactions, and strategies to recognize children's mathematical strengths. He holds a Ph.D. in Education from UCLA and has a background as an elementary teacher and instructional coach.

His research interests include:

• Mathematics Education: Developing equitable teaching practices for young learners.
• Cognitive Development: Studying how children understand mathematical concepts.
• Classroom Interactions: Analyzing discourse to position students as capable problem-solvers.

Dr. Johnson leads NSF-funded projects such as CAREER: Investigating Young Children's Opportunities to Learn Mathematics and collaborates on national initiatives like the DREME Network. His publications emphasize practical strategies for educators, with recent work exploring collective problem-solving and teacher noticing.

Awards:

• National Academy of Education / Spencer Dissertation Fellowship (2019)

He maintains active collaborations with institutions like UCLA and foundations including Heising-Simons, focusing on teacher education resources and classroom observation frameworks.