Peter Wiens

Peter Wiens is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), within the College of Education. He holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia (2013). Prior to his academic career, he spent over a decade as a teacher and school administrator in the U.S., Taiwan, and Niger. His research focuses on teacher leadership, teacher education effectiveness, and preservice teacher development. He joined UNLV as a post-doctoral scholar in 2016 and became a tenure-track faculty member in 2017.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, University of Virginia (2013)
• MA in Educational Administration, Michigan State University (200X)
• BA in History and Education, Goshen College (200X)

Research Interests:

• Teacher leadership and shared leadership dynamics in K-12 schools
• Evaluation of teacher preparation programs
• Assessment of pedagogical knowledge through tools like the Video Assessment of Teacher Knowledge (VATK)
• Cross-cultural studies of teacher training (e.g., Niger, Taiwan)
• Multicultural pedagogies and equity in education
• Faith integration in Mennonite school contexts

His recent scholarship explores how teacher leadership impacts instructional practices, the role of self-efficacy in professional development, and the design of valid assessment systems for teacher education. He has published widely in journals such as Journal of Teacher Education, Asia Pacific Journal of Education, and Teaching and Teacher Education.

Wiens’ work emphasizes practical applications, including initiatives to create teacher leadership surveys and improve pre-service teacher training. He has collaborated on projects in diverse international settings, reflecting his commitment to global educational challenges.