Carol R. Rinke

Carol R. Rinke is a associate professor of education and assistant dean for social and behavioral sciences at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, where she is passionate about preparing future educators for today’s classrooms. A former science and math teacher in New York City and beyond, she returned to graduate school to study the challenges of recruiting and retaining educators in hard-to-staff classrooms. She currently teaches courses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) methods which partner with local schools and community organizations to develop authentic learning experiences.

Carol also maintains an active research agenda, exploring the intersection of the personal and the professional in teachers’ career trajectories. She is the author or editor of over 20 articles and three books on teacher career development over the professional lifespan, including Why Half of Teachers Leave the Classroom (Rowman & Littlefield, 2014), There Has to Be a Better Way (Rutgers University Press, 2019), and Opportunities and Challenges in Teacher Recruitment and Retention (Information Age Press, forthcoming).

Carol also coordinates the Marist Center for Social Justice Research (MCSJR), which constructs collaborative teams of faculty, students, and community members to conduct research in support of the social good and is a founding member of the Creating and Inclusive Community dialogues on addressing race and racism in the college classroom.