Using psychology to better our classrooms | with Dr. Erin O'Connor

Erin O'Connor, Ed.D, is the Director of New York University's Early Childhood Education Program and a tenured professor. She holds a Doctorate (Ed.D) in Human Development and Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a Master's in Teaching from Fordham University, and a Master's in School Psychology from Columbia University. Erin teaches human development and education classes to pre- and in-service teachers in New York City schools. She also co-directs a community partnership working with families and caregivers.  

In addition, Erin leads a research program examining relationships with mothers and teachers and the impacts of these relationships on children's development in early and middle childhood. She also conducts randomized control trials of relationship-building interventions on the language and social development of pre-kindergarten children from low-income families and neighborhoods. 

Erin has published in educational and psychology journals including the American Educational Research Journal, Journal of Educational Psychology, and Journal of Applied Psychology. Her work is supported by grants from several institutions including the Institute for Education Sciences. She is a member of the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and the Society for Research in Child Development.

She is also the founder of Scientific Mommy, which works to make research about child development more accessible.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why did you go the teaching route & get a master's after undergrad?
• What did you learn through being a teacher? And why did you not want to continue teaching?
• Why did you want a school psychology master's?
• Why did you move away from clinical work?
• What went into your decision to get a doctorate? Why an EdD over a PhD? Why in human development?
• The ups and downs of grad school
• Starting a family in grad school
• Pros and cons of an academic career & tenure track
• How to assess your fit with a faculty advisor before grad school
• Issues with the education system & our classrooms: from a psychologist's perspective
• Scientific Mommy
• What it means to be a program director
• How has your research changed how you parent? 
• What is your favorite part of your job?
• What is one skill, quality, or general factor that has served you no matter where you went in life?

Resources mentioned:

• Alison Gopnik (distinguished developmental psychologist)
• Emily Oster (distinguished economist focusing on parenting & pregnancy)
• Parenting Understood podcast with Erin O'Connor and Michelle Tangeman

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Music by: Adam Fine