Shaoan Zhang

Shaoan Zhang is a Professor of Teacher Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). His research focuses on teacher self-disclosure, teacher development, and STEM education, with emphasis on constructivist learning strategies for underrepresented groups.

Zhang's work explores how teacher self-disclosure shapes classroom dynamics and student engagement. He develops innovative STEM education approaches targeting Hispanic students and girls, while examining teacher self-efficacy and multicultural classroom practices through large-scale datasets like TALIS 2018.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveals consistent themes: teacher self-disclosure across cultural contexts, learning strategies in engineering education, and comparative studies of teacher practices. His research frequently employs mixed-methods approaches to investigate STEM pathways and educational equity.

Zhang has secured National Science Foundation grants supporting STEM initiatives for underrepresented populations. As a dedicated mentor, he guides doctoral students and serves as Senior Editor for Action in Teacher Education and chair of the Association of Teacher Educators Research Committee.