Paula McAvoy

Paula McAvoy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences at North Carolina State University's College of Education. She specializes in democratic education, focusing on how schools prepare youth for civic engagement in polarized societies. McAvoy holds a PhD in Philosophy of Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has prior experience as a high school teacher and researcher at the Spencer Foundation and UW-Madison's Center for Ethics and Education.

Her research explores ethical challenges in teaching controversial issues, structured classroom discussions, and teacher professional judgment. She co-authored The Political Classroom, a seminal work on deliberative pedagogy, which won the Grawemeyer Award and AERA Book Award. McAvoy leads initiatives like the Discussion Engagement Network (D.E.N.) and Dining with Democracy, fostering civil discourse in education.

Notable awards include the 2023 NC State Outstanding Teacher Award, 2017 Grawemeyer Award, and multiple grants. She advises on civic education nationally and chairs AERA's Philosophical Studies in Education SIG. McAvoy's work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing schools' role in nurturing informed, participatory citizens amid societal divisions.