Rate My Professor David Johnson

David Cassels Johnson serves as Professor of Multilingual Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Iowa College of Education. He holds a Ph.D. with distinction in Educational Linguistics. His scholarly work centers on educational linguistics, sociolinguistics, and language policy, with particular emphasis on English as a second language (ESL) education, bilingual education, and the effects of language policies on students in bilingual and ESL programs. Johnson investigates language policy and programming in school districts, advocating for equitable educational experiences for heritage language speakers. He is the author of the book Language Policy (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013), which provides key insights into the theory and methodology of language policy research. Notable recent publications include "Challenging deficit ideologies in Spanish heritage language classrooms" in Foreign Language Annals (2024), examining teacher practices in Iowa high schools, and "Reconceptualising power in language policy: Evidence from ethnographic fieldwork in an indigenous community" in Language Problems and Language Planning (2025).

Johnson's career includes prior roles as associate professor at the University of Iowa and the Pennsylvania State University College of Education. He has served as Visiting Professor of Applied Linguistics at Shanghai International Studies University and contributes to program leadership as MA Program Coordinator for Multilingual Education and Associate Departmental Executive Officer in his department. In 2016, he was co-principal investigator on a $2.2 million grant to enhance teacher development for English language learners. He received a faculty award in 2022-23 and joined the board of the Center for Applied Linguistics in 2024. His research informs media discussions on addressing the growth of English language learners in Iowa schools and promoting equity for Spanish heritage speakers. Johnson's contributions extend to committee service and global education initiatives, influencing teacher preparation and language policy advocacy in multilingual contexts.