In the second vlog of her 4-part series, Professor Carol Ann Tomlinson delves into how research standards have evolved over time. In the 70s, researchers met the best-known standards of their era, just as in fields like medicine and architecture. They couldn’t meet a 2020 research standard simply because they operated with the best knowledge available to them then. As advancements occur, sometimes we realise we need to shift our approach while maintaining our core objectives. For instance, Professor Tomlinson now integrates the science of psychology, pedagogy, and neuroscience in her educational research. Some of her work underscores the power of a teacher’s belief in a student’s potential. When educators view and approach students as capable learners, it boosts students’ self-belief, driving them to work to their fullest potential. This belief is rooted in the growth mindset, highlighted by Carol Dweck, emphasising that with the right nurturing, brains can develop, and students can learn almost anything. Our role is to reflect this empowering belief to our students.
Carol Ann Tomlinson is the William Clay Parrish, Jr. Professor Emeritus. During her career at UVA, Tomlinson served as chair of the Educational Leadership, Foundations, and Policy Department, and co-director of the University’s Institutes on Academic Diversity. Prior to joining the faculty at UVA, she was a teacher in public schools for 21 years, where she taught students in high school, preschool, and middle school, and administered district programs for struggling and advanced learners. She was Virginia’s Teacher of the Year in 1974.
Prof. Tomlinson’s teaching and research at UVA centered on curriculum, differentiated instruction, and formative assessment. Her goal has always been to do work that supports classroom teachers in extending the quality and impact of their work with academically, culturally, and linguistically diverse learners. Toward that end, in addition to her scholarly publications, she has authored or co-authored over 300 books, book chapters, articles, and other educational materials for K-12 teachers and school leaders including How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms (3rd Ed.), The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners (2nd Ed), So Each May Soar: The Principles & Practices of Learner-Centered Classrooms, and Everybody’s Classroom: Differentiating for the Shared and Unique Needs of Diverse Learners. Her books are available in 14 languages.
Prof. Tomlinson was named Outstanding Professor at UVA’s School of Education in 2004 and received an All-University Teaching Award in 2008. In 2023, she was ranked #12 in the Education Week Edu-Scholar Public Presence Rankings of the 200 “University-based academics who are contributing most substantially to public debates about schools and schooling,” and as the #4 voice in curriculum. She works throughout the United States and internationally with educators who seek to create classrooms that are effective in reaching diverse student populations.
