Dr. Denise Mahfood, a lecturer in the Science Education Program, brings an expansive and deeply human approach to the sciences. Her work spans a wide spectrum of the sciences, which she pairs with a deep commitment to preparing the next generation of science educators. With over two decades of experience, her teaching and scholarship are rooted in a devotion to making science accessible, engaging, and alive.
Dr. Mahfood’s journey to TC began in Trinidad, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Biology and General Science at the University of the West Indies. She then pursued a master’s degree in Science Education at New York University, where she began to deepen her interest in how science is taught and learned. Her path ultimately led her to a Ph.D. in Science Education from Teachers College, where she now serves as a faculty member; a full-circle moment that grounds her teaching in both theory and lived experience. In an interview, she reflected on what it meant to become a professor at TC: “Coming to Teachers College was like coming home to the questions I had always been asking about how we learn and teach science.”
In her courses, Dr. Mahfood brings a nurturing yet rigorous approach to helping students unlearn their fear of science and build new relationships with it. One of her favorite classes to teach is “Teaching and Learning Science in the Elementary School.” In it, she encourages pre-service teachers to embrace their curiosity and center their students’ lived experiences. She enjoys watching her students shift from seeing science as intimidating to embracing it as something they can teach creatively and confidently. Dr. Mahfood intentionally takes a student-centered approach, often building class sessions around inquiry, discussion, and real-world applications.
Her work is also deeply embedded in community. Her research and publications explore science identity formation, teacher preparation, and culturally responsive science pedagogy. Dr. Mahfood is particularly interested in how teachers can develop a strong sense of themselves as science educators, especially those who may not initially see themselves as "science people." Her work emphasizes the importance of representation, confidence-building, and access to high-quality, meaningful science education for all students.
Dr. Mahfood has also collaborated with institutions like the American Museum of Natural History and Columbia’s School of Engineering, designing after-school enrichment programs in chemistry, robotics, and data science for K–12 students. Whether in academic journals or in the neighborhoods of New York City, her impact is felt across generations. With warmth, wisdom, and a deep commitment to equity, Dr. Denise Mahfood is shaping the future of science education.