Amanda Cramer
Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of Elementary Education, Curriculum & Instruction
EDUCATION
| Degree | Area of Study | University |
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. | Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction | University of Alabama at Birmingham |
| Ed.S. | Instructional Leadership | University of West Alabama |
| M.A. | Collaborative Special Education | The University of Alabama |
| B.S. | Elementary Education | The University of Alabama |
AWARDS & HONORS
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Excellence in Community Engaged Scholarship Award, The University of Alabama |
| 2026 | Exemplary Alumni Award, University of Alabama at Birmingham |
| 2024 | Top Alumni Under 40, The University of Alabama |
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Inquiry-based learning
STEM integration
Computer science integration
GRANT & RESEARCH PROJECTS
- Advancing Professional Development of Transformative Elementary Mathematics Specialists. (2025-2029). National Science Foundation DRK-12 Program. Co-PI. Amount: $2,132,239. Find project information at cems.ua.edu.
- Cultivating Elementary Mathematics Specialists.(2025-2030). National Science Foundation Noyce Track 3 Program. Co-PI. Amount: $1,750,000.
- Code Explorers: Elementary Computer Science for Alabama. (2026-2027). Alabama State Department of Education. Co-PI. Amount: $48,000.
- CS Education for K-8. (2025-2026). Alabama State Department of Education. Co-PI. Amount: $66,000.
SELECTED WORKS
Recent Presentations
- Cramer, A. (2026, June 27). Igniting creativity through PBL, 3D models, & computer science. International Society for Technology in Education Annual Conference 2026, Orlando, FL.
- Cramer, A. (2026, April 18). Designing for transformation: Interdisciplinary resources to support science teacher preparation [Conference presentation]. National Science Teachers Association 2026 Anaheim National Conference, Anaheim, CA.
- Cramer, A., & Ponder, J. (2026, April 16). Sensemaking through wonder and awe: Using toy phenomena and the 5E model to explore electricity, engineering design, and computer science. National Science Teachers Association 2026 Anaheim National Conference, Anaheim, CA.
Recent Publications
- Ponder, J., & Cramer, A. R. (2025). Techno-Trash Pets: A PBL approach to STEM and digital literacy in elementary classrooms. Science and Children, 62(6), 76–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/00368148.2025.2553380
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Member, International Society for Technology in Education, National Science Teachers Association, International Coaching Federation, National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Steering Committee, The STEM Collective at Saban Center
- Director, UA BLAST Academy
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Dr. Cramer’s teaching focuses on preparing preservice teachers for the realities of early childhood and elementary classrooms. She emphasizes practical instructional strategies that support hands-on, developmentally appropriate STEM learning and meaningful technology integration. In her UA courses, Dr. Cramer designs practice-based assignments that require undergraduates to plan, teach, assess, and reflect on STEM-rich lessons in authentic settings. Through sustained partnerships with local schools and community organizations, her students implement inquiry-based science and engineering activities, facilitate family STEM events, and use instructional technologies to enhance student engagement and learning in real classrooms and community spaces. These experiences position preservice teachers as capable professionals, building instructional confidence, pedagogical skill, and a strong sense of professional identity while directly serving local schools.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Amanda Cramer is a proud alumna of The University of Alabama’s Elementary Education program and credits her time at the Capstone with shaping her into the teacher, learner, and leader she is today. She currently serves as Program Coordinator of UA’s Early Childhood and Elementary Education program and as a Clinical Assistant Professor. She also serves as the Elementary Coordinator of the Clinical Master Teacher (CMT) Program.
Prior to joining the faculty at UA, Dr. Cramer served as a STEM Integration Specialist with the Alabama State Department of Education, where she supported mathematics and science leaders across the state through professional learning design, instructional coaching, and the development of high-quality STEM resources for Alabama schools. Earlier in her career, she served as a teacher leader and early childhood educator in Hoover City Schools and Mountain Brook City Schools, where she helped integrate STEM throughout the curriculum.
In addition to her work at UA, Dr. Cramer serves on the Steering Committee for The STEM Collective at Saban Center, one of Alabama’s three STEM Hubs, and as an advisory member for the Saban Center education team. She is also an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation.