You can’t control everything—so don’t try. It’s okay to let go. Things will work out.”
Katarzyna Pomian Bogdanov
PhD Candidate in Learning Sciences
Katarzyna “Kasia” Pomian Bogdanov is a PhD candidate in Learning Sciences in the School of Education and Social Policy. With a strong background in education and physics, her current work focuses on better understanding how science educators learn to design and teach science in more student-centered and value-driven ways. Kasia recently accepted an offer as an Assistant Professor in Science Education at Florida State University, starting in Fall 2025.
How would you describe your research and/or work to a non-academic audience?
I study how science teachers develop and refine their teaching approaches. Specifically, I explore how they learn to teach in more reform-driven ways by collaborating with researchers to design curriculum materials and then implementing those materials in the classroom. My research tracks the values that guide teachers' decision-making across these experiences.
What have been some of the most memorable twists and turns of your career?
I love this question because that’s what life is—a series of unexpected turns! I started out studying stringed instruments, then moved on to researching supernovae in the hopes of understanding dark energy. From there, I became a high school teacher, then a PhD student in Learning Sciences, and now I’m preparing to start as an Assistant Professor in Science Education. It’s been a journey, and I wouldn’t change a thing!
To give a bit more context:
I earned my undergraduate degrees in Physics and Spanish Language & Literature. During that time, my research focused on the properties of stringed instruments. After college, I worked at Argonne National Laboratory in the High Energy Physics division, studying dark energy and dark matter. While the work was fascinating, I found it too isolating. That realization led me to pursue a master's degree in Physics and Secondary Education. I taught as an adjunct professor before moving into high school physics and chemistry teaching.
Through my experiences, I saw firsthand how much support educators—especially physics teachers—need. That motivated me to pursue a PhD in Learning Sciences, where I explored how people learn and think. I quickly became involved in designing curriculum materials alongside teachers and researchers. This collaboration offered rich insights into teacher engagement, leading me to take on a dual role as both a curriculum designer and a participant observer. From there, my research evolved into studying how teachers learn over time, across different contexts, and how their core values influence their instructional decisions.
What inspires you?
My mom! She is the wisest person I know. She is an extension and root of my thoughts in many ways. I call her every day to connect, get advice, and decompress. She is the one that imbedded deep values in me. Now that I am reflecting, I think she is the one who has driven me to do value-centered work with teachers.
Also, my kids! They are endlessly curious, energetic, and eager to make an impact. Watching their natural drive to learn inspires me every day. Unfortunately, I feel that school often suppresses students’ innate curiosity, presenting science as rigid, difficult, and unattainable—when in reality, it’s full of wonder and open-ended discovery.
My sons, who are 1.5 and 3.5 years old, remind me of what it means to be a true scientist. They ask endless questions, dream big, and engage with the world in the most genuine ways. My work is dedicated to supporting teachers in fostering that same sense of excitement and curiosity in their students, ensuring that their flames of wonder never burn out.
What did you originally want to be when you grew up?
A teacher! I’ve always wanted to teach. Some of my most vivid childhood memories involve coming home from kindergarten and setting up a classroom for my late aunt, who had hydrocephalus, along with my stuffed animals. I would "teach" them everything I had learned that day.
As I got older, I spent my lunch breaks peer tutoring, tutored high school students while in college, and worked as a laboratory assistant. Teaching has always been at the heart of what I do, and even now, as a researcher, I see myself as both a teacher and a lifelong student—always learning from my students.
What advice would you give your younger self or someone considering a similar path?
Don’t doubt your abilities. I often questioned what I knew and what I was capable of, even when I had the skills. While humility is important, self-doubt can hold you back. Believe in yourself!
Stop worrying about how others perceive your way of thinking. I now recognize that I’m a knowledge creator, which means thinking differently and approaching problems in unique ways. I used to feel self-conscious about my methods, but I’ve learned to embrace them.
Make time for self-care. This is advice for my younger self—and my current self! Academia comes with self-imposed pressures to constantly apply for things and stay on top of every opportunity. But it’s impossible to do everything all the time. Make space for what fuels you, whether that’s exercising, reading, going for a walk, or playing with your kids. Taking breaks makes your productive time more effective.
You can’t control everything—so don’t try. It’s okay to let go. Things will work out.
Tell us about a current achievement or something you're working on that excites you.
I’m thrilled to have accepted an offer as an Assistant Professor in Science Education at Florida State University, starting in Fall 2025! I also recently had a long paper accepted for the International Society of Learning Sciences conference in Helsinki, Finland.
The next few months will be a whirlwind—I’m finishing my dissertation, defending it, graduating, taking a short trip, moving with my family, and starting a new job. It’s going to be a big transition.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
The balance I’ve learned to maintain between work and family life.
This journey has been shaped by my two energetic, curious, and expressive boys. Balancing academia with raising a young family hasn’t always been easy, but they have taught me to slow down, listen, find support (especially in my mom) and be patient. These lessons have made me a better researcher, a better teacher, a better spouse, and a better parent.
I’m also incredibly proud to be graduating with my PhD this June while raising two little ones. My kids have been on this journey with me, and in many ways, they’ve helped shape my work and my perspective on education.
Publish Date: May 20, 2025
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