Liza Finkel

Liza is a teacher and teacher educator with over 35 years of experience in middle, high school, and post-secondary classrooms. She received her Ph.D. in Science Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has worked with pre- and inservice middle and high school teachers in schools across the US. Past leadership roles include Director of Field Experiences and Director of Teacher Education at the University of New Hampshire; Senior Program Director of the Center for Classroom Teaching and Learning at Education Northwest; and Program Director of the Master of Arts in Teacher Education program at the Graduate School of Education and Counseling at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. She has been trained as a Critical Friends Group Facilitator and has led Critical Friends Groups for teachers in all areas and grade levels, and is co-editor of the forthcoming book, Science Teaching for Social Justice, to be published by Rethinking Schools in 2026. Liza is passionate about working with teachers to create equitable and engaging learning situations for students, and committed to supporting teachers to care for themselves in ways that allow them to sustain their energy and commitment for the work of teaching. She believes deeply that schools are potential sites for joy, transformation, and growth and her work is in the service of making that possible for all students and teachers.

***Currently Participating in the Courage & Renewal Facilitator Preparation Program***