Biography:

Dr. Carolyn Wallace serves as Associate Dean and Adjunct Professor at American International College, joining AIC in 2023. She brings 30 years of experience as an elementary educator and school leader in districts across Central and Western Massachusetts. In her role, Dr. Wallace provides academic leadership for the School of Education, supporting faculty and students in navigating challenges related to trauma, poverty, and under-resourced school environments.

Her work focuses on building resilient and collaborative school cultures, fostering professional growth among educators, and creating effective support systems for diverse PreK–12 student populations. Dr. Wallace is dedicated to preparing future educators and administrators to meet the evolving demands of contemporary educational settings with clarity, structure, and purposeful leadership. She emphasizes the importance of integrating teacher voices into school design and promoting equity and inclusion in all aspects of educational practice.

At AIC, she teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses that address multicultural education, literacy, social-emotional learning, urban education, and reflective practice in teaching. She combines practical leadership experience with evidence-based instructional strategies to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to become effective and resilient educators.

Education:

• Ed.D., Organizational Leadership – Northeastern University
• CAGS, Leadership – Westfield State University
• M.Ed., Curriculum – Worcester State University

Research/Interests:

• Building a Building While Building a Culture: Bringing Teacher Voices into the Creation of a New School’s Culture

Teaching Areas:

Dr. Wallace teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses focused on multicultural education, literacy, social-emotional learning, urban education, and reflective practice in teaching.

Professional Service:

• Elementary educator and school leader, Central and Western Massachusetts
• Consultant for district evaluation and program development