John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
Lee Shulman, a prominent figure in the field of education and professor emeritus at Stanford Graduate School of Education, passed away on December 30, 2024, at Moldaw Residences in Palo Alto. He was 86 years old.
Shulman joined Stanford in 1982 as the Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education and made significant contributions to educational research, particularly focusing on teachers' understanding of pedagogy and content. His work emphasized the importance of pedagogical content knowledge, which highlights the need for teachers to adapt subject matter to students' comprehension levels.
“His whole career was committed to understanding and improving the teaching force and supporting teachers around the world,” said Richard Shavelson, former dean of the GSE.
Pam Grossman, a former student of Shulman's, remarked on his impact: “It’s hard to overemphasize his impact on education.”
Shulman's research extended beyond education into fields such as law, medicine, nursing, and engineering. Rachel Lotan praised his extensive knowledge across various professions: “What I so admired in him was his incredible, vast knowledge in so many fields.”
After retiring from Stanford in 1997, Shulman served as president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Gary Fenstermacher noted that during his tenure at Carnegie: “He launched a serious study of the professions.”
Born on September 28, 1938, Shulman earned his degrees from the University of Chicago before teaching at Michigan State University from 1963 until he moved to Stanford.
David Berliner reflected on their friendship: “What was so perfect about the intellectual friendships...was that we managed to break out of being just colleagues and become close friends.”
Former student Karen Hammerness recalled how Shulman encouraged collaboration among students: “He was constantly trying to get me connected to the larger academic community.”
Shulman's achievements were recognized with numerous awards including the American Psychological Association’s E. L. Thorndike Award in 1995.
Dina Shulman shared personal memories: “The biggest thing he taught me...is his big heart.”
Shulman is survived by three children and five grandchildren. Donations can be made in his memory to several organizations including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Alerts Sign-up