Director, Research and Program Evaluation

He/Him

As the Director of the Learning & Research (L&R) Team at Teaching Lab , Dr. Headen is responsible for developing and leading the execution of the strategy to evaluate and share the impact of our professional learning on teachers and students; strengthening TL’s capacity for research design and fostering a culture of continuous learning within the organization; and managing support for internal team members in utilizing data and evidence to make informed decisions in collaboration with partners.

Dr. Headen has over 15 years of teaching and research experience. He holds a B.A. in Journalism, M.A. in English, M.Ed. in Psychology, and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (Loyola University). He began his career as an elementary education teacher within the City of Chicago. After honing his skills within the classroom, Dr. Headen accepted a position at the University of Illinois where he designed educational programs for youth throughout both Cook and Cole counties.

Several years later, through the U.S. Department of Education, Dr. Headen facilitated the development of multi-layered professional development plans, assessed the efficacy of comprehensive student support initiatives, and trained professionals in effective data collection, analysis, and dissemination strategies. His post-secondary teaching and research experiences include serving as an Associate Professor of English, Honors College Dean, and Director for Comprehensive for Student Support Services.

Prior to joining Teaching Lab, Dr. Headen served as a Director for Research & Validation where he provided leadership for evaluating the efficacy of literacy solutions and professional learning plans. He is honored to be a part of our team and is excited to both meet and exceed our goals for ensuring that research continues to be embedded into our daily work.