Abby Schwenger, a distinguished alumna of the University of Miami’s TAL (Teaching and Learning) program, has quickly established herself in the field of education research. As an undergraduate, Schwenger was recognized for her outstanding academic and extracurricular contributions, culminating in her receipt of the Maxine Wishart Agent of Change Award in 2022.
Her passion for education, especially in multilingual and multicultural settings, has driven her career forward, leading her to a prominent role at New York University (NYU).
Upon graduating, Schwenger secured a position as a Research Associate at NYU, a role that has allowed her to engage deeply in educational research and professional development.
"It’s been a really amazing opportunity. The research experience prepared me tenfold for the types of work that I'm doing for the PhD," she said.
In this position, Schwenger collaborates with teachers in New York City, conducts classroom observations, and contributes to the design of research instruments aimed at improving STEM education for multilingual learners.
“We’re developing a classroom observation protocol and a questionnaire,” Schwenger said. “To measure whether teachers are serving multilingual learners according to what the research shows is beneficial.”
Her work is integral to a research project led by NYU Professor Okhee Lee, a former professor at the University of Miami for two decades until 2011.
In addition to her role at NYU, Schwenger recently published an article on formative assessment in dual language science classrooms.
"It was cool to get to work with one of the teachers in the study and write my first published article," she said, reflecting on the significance of her work in showcasing effective teaching practices for multilingual learners.
Schwenger’s passion for education, particularly for supporting multilingual learners in STEM-related subjects, was sparked during her time at UM.
"The class I took with Scott Grapin was really inspiring,” she said, “It was about more than just language, but about culture and really strong teaching practices and curriculum."
Her experiences in bilingual classrooms during her senior year at UM and her exposure to innovative research under the guidance of professors like Grapin played a crucial role in shaping her interests. This foundation has not only guided her professional path but has also inspired her to develop her own research interests within the NYU project.
In 2023, Schwenger began her doctoral studies at NYU, focusing on how multilingual learners use data science, computer science, and language to address STEM-related justice issues.
"It's been really interesting to think about, if it was that hard for me to do well with all of my privilege, how much harder it is for students who are learning a second language," she said.
Her research aims to create inclusive and equitable learning environments where all students, regardless of language background, can thrive in STEM education.
"The most rewarding aspect has definitely been working with teachers and students,” Schwenger said. “Hearing that a lot of their students, who normally are quiet throughout the day, are just dying to go to science class and share their ideas makes it really feel like we're doing something important.”
