I am employed as a lecturer and researcher specializing in educational sciences at the University of Amsterdam. My role has involved instructing, mentoring, and guiding students from the Amsterdam Universitaire Pabo (UPvA) across all four years of the programme. The UPvA is the university's academic primary teaching training center at the University of Amsterdam and the Applied Sciences of Amsterdam. The primary objective of our center is to equip aspiring primary school teachers with fundamental teaching skills, fostering an investigative mindset, and grounding them in theoretical principles and practical skills. Additionally, I lead courses like organizational learning within educational institutions as part of the Bachelor's program in Educational Sciences.

Furthermore, I contribute to the curriculum of the Educatieve Master Primair Onderwijs (EMPO: Master in Educational Sciences for Primary Education) at the VU. I am also entrusted with the role of research supervisor at the Educational Research Working space known as Werkplaats Onderwijsonderzoek Amsterdam (WOA-PO). In this capacity, I collaborate with teachers in school settings to conduct research with a practical orientation. Our focus areas encompass critical themes such as equity in education, diversity, translanguaging, reading comprehension, and parental involvement. An example of such work can be found at https://www.nro.nl/onderzoeksprojecten/lezen-met-begrip-en-betrokkenheid.

My research pursuits encompass a range of topics, including learner-centered interventions, reading pedagogy, addressing reading difficulties, multilingualism, and teacher training. Some of my prior research initiatives have revolved around preventing reading difficulties through the implementation of the Bouw! (Build!) intervention program.

I am employed as a lecturer and researcher specializing in educational sciences at the University of Amsterdam. My role has involved instructing, mentoring, and guiding students from the Amsterdam Universitaire Pabo (UPvA) across all four years of the programme. The UPvA is the university's academic primary teaching training center at the University of Amsterdam and the Applied Sciences of Amsterdam. The primary objective of our center is to equip aspiring primary school teachers with fundamental teaching skills, fostering an investigative mindset, and grounding them in theoretical principles and practical skills. Additionally, I lead courses like organizational learning within educational institutions as part of the Bachelor's program in Educational Sciences.

Research expertise

• Learning interventions
• Primary school and development
• Practice-based research
• Reading (comprehension)
• Translanguaging

Media appearances

• Early screening of pre-reading difficulties: https://dyslexiecentraal.nl/leren/leren-van-goede-voorbeelden/po-l-screening-groep-2-een-goed-idee 
• Working with the Build! Intervention (Bouw!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl9xKz5cxsU 
• https://didactiefonline.nl/artikel/bouw-helpt-ernstige-leesproblemen-voorkomen 
• Opportunity in language (Kans in Taal): https://woa.kohnstamminstituut.nl/onze-projecten/gelijke-onderwijskansen/producten/ 

Research methods

• Quantitative methods
• Randomised controlled trials (RCT)
• Design-based research
• Research with a practical orientation

Current research projects

How to make a success of a large-scale implementation of an evidence-based program for the prevention of reading difficulties (NRO)

This research focuses on the prevention of reading difficulties and dyslexia by implementing the Bouw! (Build!) intervention program. Following successful Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), the current project is being carried out in real-world educational settings, involving two substantial partnerships.

Engaging in reading comprehension with active participation (NRO)

This project is a component of the Educational Research Working Space, known as Werkplaats Onderwijsonderzoek Amsterdam (WOA-PO). Drawing from prior expertise and discoveries related to promoting diversity and equal educational opportunities, we aim to develop, experiment with, and assess various reading methodologies that enhance teachers' capabilities and improve children's reading and comprehension skills. The subtopics include a) selecting and discussing suitable reading materials; b) leveraging multilingualism; c) involving parents.

Amsterdam-Based Teacher Education Program

This study serves as an evaluation of the digital reflective tool known as ALKL (Amsterdamse Leerkrachtlijn). This tool is tailored for students in the (University) Pabo, enabling them to reflect on and showcase their professional development and competence.

Research grants

• NRO grant: Lezen met begrip en betrokkenheid Leading. Head Research Investigator: Lisa Gaikhorst. https://www.nro.nl/onderzoeksprojecten/lezen-met-begrip-en-betrokkenheid 
• NRO grant: How to make a success of a large scale implementation of an evidence-based program for the prevention of reading difficulties. Head Research Investigator: Peter de Jong. https://www.nro.nl/onderzoeksprojecten/how-to-make-a-success-of-a-large-scale-implementation-of-an-evidence-based-program-for-the-prevention-of-reading-difficulties 

BA

Bachelor Universitaire Pabo

• BA-1: Universitaire lerarenpraktijk A en B
• BA-2: Universitaire lerarenpraktijk C en D
• BA-3: Universitaire lerarenpraktijk E
• BA-4: Bachelor thesis
• BA-1: Onderwijskunde 1
• Matching: Meertaligheid

Bachelor Onderwijswetenschappen

• BA-2: Organisatie, leren en onderwijs (Onderwijskunde 3)

MA

• Master EMPO (Educatieve Master Primair Onderwijs)
• MA-1: Pedagogische en didactische principes 1
• MA-1: Lecture: Technisch lezen
• MA-1: Basistheorie: Hoe leerlingen leren (Lecture taalontwikkeling)
• MA-2: Master theses
• MA-1 & 2: Master classes

PhD Supervision

• Fae van der Weijden – How to make a success of a large scale implementation of an evidence-based program for the prevention of reading difficulties; Promotor: Peter de Jong