Curriculum vitae
Genevieve E. Caffrey, Ed.D.
St. Louis, Missouri · Available remotely · genevievecaffrey@gmail.com
Downloadable PDF
The full curriculum vitae as a printable PDF (updated October 2026).
Education
2025
Ed.D., Learning, Teaching and Curriculum, Social Studies Education emphasis
University of Missouri–Columbia
2009
M.A., Instructional Leadership & Elementary Education
University of Illinois at Chicago
2005
B.A., Psychology & Political Science
Washington University in St. Louis
Certifications
2009
Elementary Teaching (Grades 1–6)
University of Illinois at Chicago
2009
Teacher of English as a Second Language
University of Illinois at Chicago
2009
Bilingual Education Teacher (Spanish)
University of Illinois at Chicago
2005
Teaching English as a Foreign Language
International Teacher Training Organization, Guadalajara, Mexico
University teaching
2019–2022
Instructor, LTC 4260 Elementary Social Studies Methods
University of Missouri–Columbia · 3 semesters in person, 3 online
2018–2019
Field Supervisor & Seminar Instructor, LTC 4194
University of Missouri–Columbia · 3 semesters in person
K–12 teaching
2015–2016
Literacy & Social Studies Interventionist
John C. Coonley Elementary, Chicago Public Schools
2015
2nd Grade Teacher, Gifted Program
John C. Coonley Elementary, Chicago Public Schools
2012–2014
6th Grade Communication Arts Teacher
Maplewood Richmond Heights Elementary, St. Louis
2009–2012
4th Grade Teacher
Kratz Elementary, Ritenour School District, St. Louis
2008–2009
5th Grade Student Teacher
Daniel Boone Elementary, Chicago
2007–2009
Adult Literacy & ESL Teacher, Project F.L.A.M.E. (Family Literacy: Aprendiendo, Mejorando y Educando)
Graduate Teaching Assistantship, University of Illinois at Chicago
2007
K–5 Summer School Teacher
Horizons for Youth Mentor Program, Chicago
2005–2007
4th Grade Teacher
George Washington School, Guadalajara, Mexico
2005
Kindergarten–Adult ESL Teacher
English Now Institute, Guadalajara, Mexico
2003–2005
Lead Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist
Special School District, St. Louis
Publications
2025
Caffrey, G. E. Designing critical social studies curriculum: How the synthesis of critical theories, curricular frameworks, and teacher practice generated the P.O.W.E.R. framework [Doctoral dissertation, University of Missouri–Columbia].
ProQuest listing forthcoming
2020
Caffrey, G. E., & Simmons, G. How do conceptions about the Trojan War linger and shape our conceptions of war and conflict today? In S. Roberts (Ed.), Hollywood or history? An inquiry-based strategy for using film to teach United States history (2nd ed., pp. 80–97). Information Age Publishing.
Book chapter
2019
Caffrey, G., & Journell, W. Humanizing disciplinary civic education at the elementary level: An exploration of immigration and the humanitarian crisis at the U.S./Mexico border. The Oregon Journal of the Social Studies, 7(2), 26–54.
Journal article
2019
Henderson, K. I., Martín-Corredor, L., & Caffrey, G. Issues of equity in dual language bilingual education. In N. Avineri et al. (Eds.), Language and social justice in practice (pp. 63–71). Routledge.
Book chapter
2018
King, L. J., Vickery, A. E., & Caffrey, G. A pathway to racial literacy: Using the LETS ACT framework to teach controversial issues. Social Education, 82(6), 316–322.
Journal article
2018
Caffrey, G. E., & Rogers, R. Students taking social action: Critical literacy practices through school-as-museum learning. Berkeley Review of Education, 8(1). doi.org/10.5070/B88134957
Journal article
2017
Caffrey, G. Teaching literacy and social justice-oriented social studies as complementary subjects in the elementary classroom [Review of the book Social studies, literacy, and social justice in the Common Core classroom, by R. Agarwal-Rangnath]. The Journal of Social Studies Research, 41, 167–169.
Book review
Awards & honors
2022–2023
Lois Knowles Scholarship, College of Education & Human Development, University of Missouri ($2,000)
2021–2022
University of Missouri campus winner, Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools Excellence in Teaching Award
2020–2021
Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Missouri Graduate Professional Council
2019–2020
Graduate Student Instructor of the Year nominee, Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum, University of Missouri
2019–2020
Donald K. Anderson Teaching Assistant Award nominee, Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum
2019
Critical Educators for Social Justice Graduate Student Forum participant, AERA Annual Meeting, Toronto (selected through a competitive writing process)
2018–2019
Graduate Student Instructor of the Year nominee, Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum
2016
Jewish Council for Youth Services Scholarship, Chicago ($2,000)
2013–2014
Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Award, second place for 6th grade Communication Arts scores, St. Louis Regional Academic Conference
2013
Teaching Tolerance Award nominee, nominated through Educators for Social Justice
2011–2012
Diamond Circle Teacher of the Year, Kratz Elementary, Ritenour School District
2010–2011
Teaching Tolerance Award nominee, nominated by the principal of Kratz Elementary
2010
ASCD Young Educator’s Award nominee, nominated through Educators for Social Justice
Leadership & service
Ongoing
Reviewer, Social Studies and the Young Learner (NCSS)
2019–2022
Vice President, Missouri University Graduate Social Studies Student Organization (MUGSS)
2019–2020
Graduate Forum Chair, CUFA/NCSS
2018–2019
Graduate Forum Vice Chair, CUFA/NCSS
2018–2019
Co-founder and Co-chair, Systems Thinking for Educational Equity Partnership (STEEP)
2018
Graduate student reviewer, Theory & Research in Social Education
2017–2022
Proposal reviewer, CUFA/NCSS
2017–2018
Director of Communications, Educators for Social Justice
2015
2nd grade student teacher mentor, John C. Coonley Elementary
2011–2014
Conference Chair, Educators for Social Justice
2005–2020
Leadership team and member, Educators for Social Justice
2014–2017
Founder and Chair, Teachers for Social Justice Book Club, Chicago
2013–2014
6th grade student teacher mentor, Maplewood Richmond Heights Elementary
2012–2014
6th Grade Team Leader, Maplewood Richmond Heights Elementary
2010–2013
Co-founder and Co-chair, Social Studies for Social Justice Teacher Group, St. Louis
2010–2012
Sustainability Chair, Ritenour School District
Paper presentations
2025
Caffrey, G. E. Thinking with P.O.W.E.R.: How the synthesis of critical scholarship and critical teacher practice generated a theory-based, yet practical framework for critical social studies curriculum design. CUFA/NCSS Conference, Washington, D.C.
2025
Caffrey, G. E. Crafting P.O.W.E.R.ful curriculum: A framework for enhancing the criticality of social studies curriculum. NCSS Conference, Washington, D.C.
2023
Caffrey, G. E., & Adu-Gyamfi, M. “Breaking (not watering) it down”: Scaffolding teachers to think with critical theory using a Critical Inquiry Template. CUFA/NCSS Conference, Nashville, TN.
2022
Caffrey, G. E., & Adu-Gyamfi, M. “Is this critical enough?”: Criticality and dysconsciousness in preservice teacher unit-planning and instructor feedback. AERA Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
2021
Caffrey, G. E., & Adu-Gyamfi, M. Examining preservice teacher Inquiry Design Models and instructor feedback for critical consciousness and dysconsciousness. CUFA/NCSS Conference, virtual.
2019
Caffrey, G. E. Exploring the border wall controversy with third graders using an inquiry-based approach. CUFA/NCSS Conference, Austin, TX.
2019
Caffrey, G. E. Exploring contemporary political issues using an inquiry-based approach at the elementary level. Midwest Graduate Student Conference, Michigan State University.
2018
Caffrey, G. E. Overcoming barriers to teaching controversial current events at the elementary level. CUFA/NCSS Graduate Forum, Chicago, IL.
2018
Henderson, K., Martín-Corredor, L., & Caffrey, G. E. Teacher perspectives on issues of equity in dual language bilingual education implementation. AERA Annual Meeting, New York, NY.
2017
Caffrey, G. E. No more excuses: Lessons from outstanding elementary social studies teachers. CUFA/NCSS Graduate Forum, San Francisco, CA.
2017
Caffrey, G. E. Designing and constructing museum exhibits in classrooms: Enacting social justice through critical literacy practices. Journal of Language and Literacy Education (JOLLE) Conference, Athens, GA.
Workshops & invited talks
2022
How to be an equity-oriented graduate school teaching assistant. Invited talk for 100+ graduate teaching assistants, Graduate Professional Council, University of Missouri.
2021
Teaching contemporary political issues using the L.E.T.S. A.C.T. Framework. Florida Council for the Social Studies Conference, Orlando, FL.
2021
Inclusive teaching strategies for English language learners and other diverse needs. Invited lecture, University of Texas at San Antonio.
2019
Using the L.E.T.S. A.C.T. Framework to teach controversial issues. NSSSA/NCSS Conference, Austin, TX.
2019
Teaching controversial issues using the L.E.T.S. A.C.T. Framework. Learning Forward Conference, St. Louis, MO.
2019
Teaching history through contemporary political issues using the L.E.T.S. A.C.T. Framework. Missouri Council for History Education Conference, St. Louis, MO.
2019
Caffrey, G. E., & Adu-Gyamfi, M. White teachers exploring racial injustice at the elementary level through culturally sustaining pedagogy. Carter Center for K–12 Black History Education Conference, Columbia, MO.
2019
Castro, A., Caffrey, G. E., Wilson-Kleekamp, T., & Adu-Gyamfi, M. Teaching about racial injustice with children’s fiction in elementary contexts. Carter Center for K–12 Black History Education Conference, Columbia, MO.
2019
A pathway to racial literacy: Using the L.E.T.S. A.C.T. Framework to teach racialized current events. Educators for Social Justice Conference, St. Louis, MO.
2019
Caffrey, G. E., & Varga, S. Navigating CUFA/NCSS and the field as a graduate student. CUFA/NCSS Retreat, Miami, FL.
2019
Teaching controversial issues at the elementary level through the L.E.T.S. A.C.T. Framework. Invited lecture, Texas Christian University.
2018
“Won’t I get in trouble?”: Fearlessly teaching controversial current events. NCSS Conference, Chicago, IL.
2018
Teaching Black history through racialized current events. Center for K–12 Black History Education Conference, Columbia, MO.
2018
Systems thinking for educational equity. Three-day professional development series for 60 K–12 teachers and administrators (with E. Ballard, A. Simpson, S. Chung, & S. Love), St. Louis, MO.
2018
Responding to controversial current events at the elementary level. Educators for Social Justice Curriculum Conference, St. Louis, MO.
2018
Invited lectures on the L.E.T.S. A.C.T. Framework and on social justice education, elementary social studies methods courses, University of Missouri.
2017
Civic engagement with superheroes, systems thinking, and student-curated museum exhibits. NCSS Conference, San Francisco, CA.
2016
A social justice curriculum model for language arts classrooms. Educators for Social Justice Conference, St. Louis, MO.
2015
Equip your students with social justice vocabulary: Identity webs, The Sneetches & more! Teachers for Social Justice Curriculum Fair, Chicago, IL.
2013–2014
Caffrey, G. E., & Labadie, M. Teaching anti-racism: Practical strategies on how to explore race with students. ESJ Inquiry to Action Group, St. Louis, MO.
2013
Social action through museum exhibits & critical literacy practices. Educators for Social Justice Conference, St. Louis, MO.
2012
House, K., & Caffrey, G. E. Talking about gay issues in schools. ESJ Inquiry to Action Group, St. Louis, MO.
2012
Culturally & linguistically responsive teaching & learning. Invited lecture, University of Missouri–St. Louis.
2011
Give me your two cents: An elementary adaptation of Socratic Seminars. Social Studies for Social Justice Inquiry to Action Group, St. Louis, MO.
Other presentations
2020
Book club organizer, How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, CUFA/NCSS Virtual Graduate Forum
2020
Dialogue session organizer & presenter, Motherscholars at CUFA: Engaging community, dialogue, scholarship, and advocacy, CUFA/NCSS Conference (virtual)
2019
Dialogue session organizer & presenter, Motherscholar: Exploring the intersections of motherhood, scholarship, teaching, and beyond, CUFA/NCSS Conference, Austin, TX
2018
Poster, Empowering problem-solvers through teaching controversial current events using the L.E.T.S. A.C.T. Framework, ESJ Curriculum Conference
2017
Professional development session, Social studies at Coonley Elementary: Successes, challenges, and recommendations, John C. Coonley Elementary, Chicago
2016
Panel discussant, Restorative justice in classrooms, Educators for Social Justice Conference
2015
Poster, Equipping students with social justice vocabulary for civic activism, Teachers for Social Justice Curriculum Fair, Chicago
2014
Poster, Civic empowerment through socially just children’s literature, ESJ Conference
2014
Panel discussant, Partnering for social justice in St. Louis, ESJ Conference
2011
Poster, Civic engagement with elementary students: A world water crisis social action project, ESJ Conference
Media
2019
Teaching Racial Literacy and Controversial Issues, Visions of Education podcast, Episode 100
2013
Educators for Social Justice Curriculum Fair, Channel 5 News interview
2011
Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning, teacher training video featured at a Ritenour School District Board meeting and in university courses and professional development
2011
Educating for Community Empowerment, Activist Hub Radio interview
Memberships
2015–present
National Council for the Social Studies
2016–present
College and University Faculty Assembly (CUFA/NCSS)
2017–2022
American Educational Research Association
2015–2020
National Association for Multicultural Education
2005–2022
Educators for Social Justice
Skills & languages
Expertise
Social studies curriculum design · Curricular framework application · Collaborative curriculum development · Translating theory and research into practice · Editorial review and content refinement · Professional learning design and facilitation
Spanish
Advanced speaking; intermediate reading and writing
Volunteer
New immigrant and refugee volunteer, World Relief (Chicago) and Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center (McAllen, Texas)