John Benner, M.Ed., is a PhD student in the Learning Sciences and Human Development Program at the UW College of Education. His work focuses on social and emotional learning in P-12 settings and out-of-school environments with a particular emphasis on parent engagement strategies that support community building and emphasize the strengths diverse families bring to their children’s education. Before coming to UW, John worked for many years in the field of early child education as a Reggio Emilia inspired teacher and later as a program director for a Preschool – 6th grade before and after school and summer program in the Rainier Beach neighborhood of Seattle. These experiences drew John’s attention to the power of informal learning settings to support healthy emotional development including shaping skills, interests, dispositions.
