College of Education and Human Development

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

People

Cynthia Zwicky

  • Senior Lecturer

Cynthia Zwicky has been an educator for more than 33 years. In this time she has worked as a classroom teacher, a mentor to new teachers, and as a coordinator for various programs and initiatives, primarily with Minneapolis Public Schools.

    DEGREES

    PhD, Education Policy: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
    MEd, Montessori Education: St. Catherine's University, St. Paul
    BS, Elementary Education: University of Wisconsin, Madison
    BS, Women's Studies, Math: University of Wisconsin, Madison

      AREAS OF INTEREST

      Restorative Justice; Equity; Teacher Education; Culturally Relevant Pedagogy; Social Justice in Education;

        BIOGRAPHY

        Cynthia Zwicky has been an educator for more than 33 years. In this time she has worked as a classroom teacher, a mentor to new teachers, and as a coordinator for various programs and initiatives, primarily with Minneapolis Public Schools. She has also taught undergraduates seeking a degree in elementary education where the emphasis was on teaching in urban schools.

        In addition to her teaching experience, Cynthia is a nationally recognized and locally respected authority on Restorative Justice Circles.

        She received two undergraduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison (Women's Studies and Math; and Elementary Education) and her Master's of Education from St. Catherine's University. Her focus was on Montessori Education and her thesis examined the effects of anti-bias curriculum on peer interactions. She received her PhD from the University of Minnesota where her primary focus was on school culture. 

        Courses Taught

        • CI 3211 - Introduction to Elementary Teaching

        • CI 3212 - Practicum: Elementary Teaching

        • CI 3283 - Practicum: Special Education K-6

        • CI 5286 - Student Teaching Seminar: Elementary Education

        • CI 5283 - Practicum: Applying Instructional Methods in the Elementary Classroom

        News

        University of Minnesota News - “U of M Experts: Why all students benefit from special education”, Nov 25, 2019

         

          PUBLICATIONS

          Chapters:

          Zwicky, Cynthia and T. Walls: Transforming Curriculum, Exploring Identity, and Cultivating Culturally Responsive Educators:  Employing Critical Race Praxis to Examine the Development of Teachers and Educational Leaders Committed to Equity and Justice. Tiffany Pluckett and  Blessinger, J. Cultural Competence in Higher Education. (Emerald Books, 2020).
           
          Zwicky, Cynthia and N. Reistenberg: A Tale of Two Districts. Thorsberg, et al. Beyond the Basics: Implementing Restorative Practices in Schools. (Jessica Kingsly Publishers, 2019).

          Zwicky, Cynthia: Appendix 1: The Circle Process in Schools. Pranis, Kay. The Little Book of Circle Processes: A New/Old Approach to Peacemaking (Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2005)
           
          Book Reviews:
           
          Zwicky, Cynthia: Review of Culturally Responsive Teaching: Theory, Research, and Practice (3rd Edition).Teachers College Record. August, 2018.
           

            PRESENTATIONS

            Cynthia Zwicky and Tonya Walls: The Role of Critical Race Praxis in the Development of Teachers and Educational Leaders Committed to Equity and Justice. American Education Studies Association Conference, November, 2019
             
            Cynthia Zwicky: Restorative Responses and Practice through an Equity Lens: When a Moment of Conflict Becomes a Moment of Realization. International Conference on Restorative Practices, August, 2018.
             
            Tonya Walls and Cynthia Zwicky: Transforming Curriculum, Exploring Identity, and Cultivating Culturally Responsive Educators: Employing Critical Race Praxis to Examine the Development of Teachers and Educational Leaders Committed to Equity and Justice. Culturally Responsive Teaching Conference, April, 2018

            Cynthia Zwicky: Restorative Justice Circles: Equity and Inclusion in Action. Voices Heard: Transforming Education Equity, August, 2017.

            Cynthia Zwicky: On the Spot Responses through an Equity Lens. National Association for Community and Restorative Justice, June, 2017.

            Cynthia Zwicky: Fostering Equity and Inclusion through Restorative Justice, CRAG (College Readiness and Achievement Gaps), April, 2017.

            Cynthia Zwicky

            • Curriculum and Instruction
              125 Peik Hall
              159 Pillsbury Drive SE
              Minneapolis, MN 55455

            • zwicky@umn.edu

            • Office Hours by appointment