Research Connections Advisor

Dr. Tandalea Mercer is a scholar‑practitioner with over 27 years of experience at the intersection of inclusion, organizational culture, and learning & development. As an adjunct professor at California State University, Northridge and California State University, Los Angeles, she is deeply passionate about bringing research‑based pedagogies – such as culturally responsive teaching – directly into classroom practice. Her experience facilitating educators’ understanding of research, along with her curriculum development work with Brandeis University, positions her to connect teachers meaningfully to the education research sphere.

As TEAL’s inaugural Research Connections Advisor, Dr. Mercer serves as a vital bridge between the educator community and academic research. She ensures that teacher‑led solutions are informed by rigorous, current research while also elevating educators’ firsthand expertise to shape future education development. Grounded in her belief that “scholarship and practice sharpen each other,” she guides TEAL’s efforts to ensure teachers not only access the best available research but also help co‑create the knowledge that transforms education.