Mariah Pol, Ph.D.

I am Teaching Faculty and Secondary Social Studies Program Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. My work centers on preparing and supporting teachers to enact social studies education that advances peace, equity, and justice.

My research examines how teachers navigate curriculum, identity, and context as they work to teach “against the grain” of traditional narratives. In 2026, my dissertation on teachers’ learning of peace education received the Best Dissertation Award from the Peace Education SIG of the Comparative and International Education Society.

As a teacher educator, I teach and supervise pre-service teachers across methods, foundations, and practicum experiences, supporting them in connecting theory to practice. My work is grounded in six years of experience as a middle school social studies teacher, where I was recognized as Indiana History Teacher of the Year and participated in multiple national and international teaching fellowships.

Across my teaching and research, I am committed to working alongside educators to create more just, inclusive, and critically engaged classrooms.