Courtney L. Luedke, Ph.D.

Dra. Luedke’s teaching was featured in UIC Chancellor Miranda’s Fall 2026 Welcome Back video! You can see her at 0:23.

Critical Courses Empower Critical Scholar-Practitioners

As an educator, I seek to foster and co-lead a racial and social justice-oriented learning experience. In a formal school setting, this begins with the readings I assign for each course, the assignments I incorporate, and the activities I develop—often based on current events.

I seek to include readings by critical scholars, and scholars of color in particular, to ensure multiple voices are represented. I cultivate and help maintain a challenging yet inclusive co-learning environment for all students, whether the course meets in person or online. Valuing each individual’s background and what they bring to the classroom is essential to creating this environment.

My courses are designed so that students develop the knowledge, skills, and tools to analyze, assess, and incorporate course content into their practice as scholar-practitioners. Moreover, I seek to teach a critical perspective that equips students with the knowledge to name and challenge inequity when they see it (whether it be related to institutional policy, program development, or tacit practice).   I work to create opportunities for students to apply research and theory to their current (and future) practice, and to their development of research projects.