As a scholar of teaching, Devon Hedrick-Shaw puts his heart into preparing tomorrow’s teachers

Through his belief that “relationships and community are the bedrock of meaningful teaching and research,” Devon Hedrick-Shaw would come to know he had found himself in the right place when he joined the PhD program at the School of Education.

A former elementary school teacher in New York City, Hedrick-Shaw found himself drawn to the opportunity to integrate the scholarly study of bilingual education and teacher preparation offered by the program.

“Devon views his teacher self as core to who he is and all he does, including who he is and is becoming as a scholar,” commented his faculty nominators. 

A view that is not only supported by his faculty colleagues, but also by his former students that would comment, “he puts his heart into education, and it really shows.” They shared how Hedrick-Shaw encouraged and enabled them to “dive into their future selves as teachers.”

“As a scholar of teaching and teacher education, Devon has expertise about pedagogy and practice that many do not,” stated his faculty nominators, expressing gratitude for “the many ways we have learned about teaching alongside and from him” in their letter nominating Hedrick-Shaw for the 2025 Outstanding Teaching Award.

Hedrick-Shaw feels grateful to work with other scholars he feels exemplify his beliefs about meaningful teaching and research, attributing many of his most important learning experiences to collaboration with colleagues across program areas he had not originally planned on.

After graduation, Hedrick-Shaw is headed to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he has accepted a position as an Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction.

In his own words:

Please tell us a bit about yourself?

 Prior to CU, I was a bilingual elementary school teacher in Washington Heights, NYC. I chose CU for the opportunity to integrate the scholarly study of bilingual education and teacher preparation. Few programs around the country had an explicit focus in both of these areas at the PhD level."

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

 Relationships and community are the bedrock of meaningful teaching and research. This is something I knew before coming to CU but was reaffirmed time and again throughout my time in the program. I feel so grateful to have worked with excellent teacher educator scholars who exemplify what it means to place relationships and community at the center of academic work."

What does graduating from CU Boulder represent for you or your family/community?

 While I am the first in my family to graduate with a PhD, it mostly involves them making jokes and requesting medical advice, as they call me 'Dr'."

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

 My biggest piece of advice for new PhD students is to make the experience your own. CU has so many incredible faculty and learning opportunities at the PhD level, but it is important to trust your gut and invest in the opportunities and relationships that will help you accomplish your goals for the degree. Alongside that, it's important to be open to new ideas and areas of study that you might not have expected or planned on engaging with. Some of my most important learning experiences throughout the program resulted from working with an expansive group of colleagues and across program areas that were not part of my plans when first admitted to the program."

What are your next steps after graduation?

 I will be an Assistant Professor in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign."