Dr. Karen Burgard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Texas A&M – San Antonio. In this position, she prepares future teachers for their diverse classrooms in central and south Texas. She completed her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and History from the University of Missouri – Kansas City in the fall of 2009. Her dissertation, Hollywood and history: A qualitative study of the impact of film on high school students’ historical understanding examined the impact that major blockbuster films have on students’ interpretation and understanding of history. Her research has expanded to investigate the intersection of race, heritage, and culture as it pertains to historical understanding. Her current work centers around the curriculum of public heritage sites and spaces including historic museums, landmarks, and monuments. Additionally, her scholarship includes examining effective university and community partnerships and community engaged research. Her most recent publications are: Widening the lens: Towards a more inclusive suffrage story; Ecologically sustatning research partnerships; Using photographs to create culturally relevant classrooms; Reimagining university partnerships with schools; Constructing deeper meaning: A museum curriculum evaluation framework for students; Making the most of field trips to historic museums; Same story, different: Students’ racialized historical understanding of historic sites; and Building capacity and changing mental models: The impact of a short-term oversees teaching experience on rural, white teacher candidates.

Dr. Burgard has held several positions in both K-12 and higher education committing her professional life to improving education at all levels and ensuring all students have equal access to quality instruction. Karen taught secondary social studies for 14 years in Missouri prior to entering higher education. Over the course of her career, Karen has taught middle school, high school, adult education, online courses, hybrid courses, and summer Upward Bound education. She is an award-winning high school teacher and a national scholar and researcher. She is committed to her students and believes that the strong relationships a teacher builds with her students is the foundation for meaningful learning. She is a devoted Kansas City Royals fan and maintains that winning the World Series in 1985 and 2015 were two of the most memorable moments in her life. She and her husband, Michael, like to travel internationally as much as they can and enjoy spending time reading great books and taking walks with their labradoodles, Penny and Athena.