Lisa M. Barker

Lisa M. Barker is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, where she focuses on curriculum development and teacher education. She serves as the Education Director for PLACE: Professional Learning and Community Education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Dr. Barker holds a PhD in Curriculum and Teacher Education from Stanford University and an MA in Educational Theatre from New York University. Her extensive teaching experience includes positions at Stanford, SUNY New Paltz, and Towson University.Dr. Barker has a rich background in applied theatre, having performed with various children's theatre companies and founded Stanford's first children's repertory theatre company. She has also held significant roles in educational organizations, such as Director of Education for Adventure Stage Chicago and Manager of the CUNY Creative Arts Team’s Center for Educational Drama, where she helped launch the first MA in Applied Theatre in the U.S. Her course, "Orchestrating Whole Classroom Discussion," reflects her commitment to integrating the principles of improvisational theatre into educational practices, enhancing engagement and learning outcomes for students.