Lee Shulman
Sept. 28, 1938-Dec. 30, 2024
Palo Alto, California

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Lee Shulman, a pioneering academic and beloved educator, who died on December 30, 2024, at the age of 86. A distinguished scholar in education and psychology, Dr. Shulman spent much of his career shaping the landscape of teaching, learning, and educational leadership. His research transformed our understanding of the intersection of knowledge, pedagogy, and human development.

Dr. Shulman was a visionary in the field of education, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of teaching and the importance of teachers as both intellectual leaders and compassionate guides. His landmark contributions to the study of pedagogical content knowledge continue to influence educators and researchers worldwide.

Lee Shulman was born in 1938 and raised in Chicago, the only child of Jewish immigrants who owned a small delicatessen. Growing up in a deli gave Lee a lifelong appreciation for pastrami and a well-marbled life. After attending a yeshiva high school, Shulman won a scholarship to the University of Chicago, where he studied philosophy and psychology. He earned his PhD in educational psychology at Chicago’s famed Department of Education under the mentorship of Joseph Schwab and Benjamin Bloom.

Upon receiving his PhD, Dr. Shulman joined the faculty at Michigan State University, where he established the Institute for Research on Teaching at Michigan State University with the mission to advance the understanding of teaching and learning processes. In 1982 Shulman moved to Stanford University, where he was named the Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education. In his early years at Stanford, he engaged in the research that yielded his conception of pedagogical content knowledge, the idea that launched a new research stage in teaching and teacher education. His research laid the foundation for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. During his tenure at Stanford (1982-1997), he served as president of both the American Educational Research Association and the National Academy of Education.

In 1996, Shulman was named the 8th president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. During his eleven years as president, the Foundation invested in studies of professional education in law, the clergy, nursing, medicine, and teaching and created a robust program that invited both college professors and K-12 teachers to share their wisdom of practice.

He was a trusted advisor to the Mandel Foundation in Jerusalem and served as a beloved faculty member at the Mandel School for Educational Leadership for many years. Lee Shulman spent his professional life advocating for the importance of teaching at all levels. He also devoted much attention to Jewish education and the importance of developing rigorous methods to study the intersection of religion and education.

Among his dozens of honors, he was a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Academy of Education. He won the prestigious Graymeyer Award in Education. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association for College of Teacher Education and countless honorary doctorates from universities worldwide. Additionally, he was the former Chairman of the Eddie and Jules Trump Family Foundation in Israel.

Dr. Shulman’s commitment to education extended beyond his academic contributions. He was a cherished mentor to countless students and colleagues, inspiring generations to think critically, innovate, and teach with integrity and empathy. His research on the nature of teaching, the role of the teacher, and the ethics of education have had an enduring impact on educators, policymakers, and school systems worldwide.

Dr. Shulman is survived by his loving children, Allen Shulman (née Debby Dresner), Dina Shulman, and Dan Shulman (née Lisa Weingarten). He was the proud grandfather of five grandchildren: Joey Shulman (née Leila Gorstein), Jordy Shulman, Becky Shulman, Sarah Shulman, and Sam Shulman (nee Julie Touger), and an adoring great-grandfather to little Norah. His family and grandchildren were his greatest joy; he leaves behind a profound legacy of love, wisdom, and kindness. He was preceded in death by his loving wife and collaborator, Judy Horwitz Shulman. A scholar, she created the Institute for Case Development in Education, which became a national and international resource for educators.

Dr. Shulman’s contributions to colleagues, students, and the field of education will forever be remembered. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of educators to lead with knowledge, compassion, and dedication.

May his memory be a blessing.

Tags: teacher/educator