I joined the University of Massachusetts Amherst as an Assistant Professor of Science Education in 2016. Originally, from the Chicago area, I completed a BA in biology and a BMus in Music Education at Northwestern University. After a short stint as a middle school science teacher, my passion for working with elementary teachers and students led me to the role of elementary science coordinator. I put my music degree to good use too, by teaching the occasional kindergarten music class! Eventually I moved to central Illinois to complete my PhD in Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and ultimately to Western Massachusetts.

My research focuses on supporting elementary teachers to teach science. My primary area of interest is using read-alouds to teach nature of science. When coupled with an educative teacher's guide, they become a powerful tool for developing teachers' understanding of nature of science, while impacting their practice at the same time. I regularly publish in top tier journals, like Journal of Research in Science Teaching, and present at international conferences, like NARST and AERA.

I actively teach in multiple programs at UMass, including the undergraduate major, Early Childhood Education licensure (ECE), Elementary Education licensure (CTEP), and Mathematics, Science, and Learning Technologies (MSLT) doctoral programs. If you are interested in applying to work with me in the PhD program at UMass, please don't hesitate to reach out and schedule an appointment to talk (email is best jbrunner@umass.edu).

In my free time, you can find me lifting, carrying, or dragging odd heavy objects. I train for and compete in the sport of Strongman/Strongwoman. My most notable accomplishment to date is pulling a 50 ton truck 34 feet in a minute! I also enjoy taking lots of walks with my partner, Dar'Keith, and petting every dog I see.