Carol Johnston

Carol is an engaged and student-centered educator whose teaching spans foundational and applied areas of family science, including family policy, research methods, statistics, social justice, and grant writing. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes helping students connect theory to lived experience, apply knowledge to real-world contexts, and critically examine the systems that shape family life. In her family policy and social justice courses, Carol guides students in analyzing how laws, institutions, and social structures influence family well-being. She encourages them to consider issues of equity, access, and representation, fostering a learning environment where students develop both analytical depth and a commitment to social responsibility. Her research methods, statistics, and grant writing courses focus on building practical, confidence-based skills.

Carol is dedicated to demystifying research and data analysis, helping students develop the tools needed to evaluate evidence, conduct rigorous inquiry, and communicate findings effectively. By integrating grant writing into this sequence, she equips students with professional competencies that translate directly into program development and funding acquisition.

Across all her courses, Carol is known for her relational teaching style, inclusive andragogy, and ability to make complex material accessible and meaningful. She strives to cultivate critical thinkers, compassionate practitioners, and emerging scholars prepared to support and advocate for all families and communities.