Auburn College of Education Associate Professor Jesús Tirado promotes a spirit of learning and growth

Since arriving at Auburn University’s College of Education in fall 2019, Jesús Tirado has embodied the university’s strategic theme: Grounded and Groundbreaking. As an associate professor in the college’s Department of Curriculum and Teaching, Tirado brings both deep roots in community engagement and a bold, forward-thinking approach.

“I teach Social Studies Education, and I try to help students understand the balance of how theory and practice can help them see their classroom and their students more robustly as well as promote a spirit of learning and growth,” he said.

His teaching philosophy reflects a grounded commitment to educational fundamentals, paired with a groundbreaking push toward innovation and reflection. Tirado hopes his students leave his classes not just with knowledge, but with a mindset for growth.

“I hope students take away that the foundation to a strong career in education comes from knowledge, getting smarter, trying new and hard things, and reflection as a key to getting better,” he said.

It’s a message that resonates with Auburn’s mission to prepare educators who are both thoughtful and transformative. And this year, that message is reaching an even wider audience. Among many other scenes on campus, one of Tirado’s classes in the new College of Education building is being featured in Auburn University’s annual NCAA commercial that premieres during Auburn’s first football game vs. Baylor on Aug. 29. The PSA will continue to air nationally on TV during televised Auburn athletic events for the next year.

It’s a proud moment that highlights the university’s commitment to elevating the voices and spaces where future educators are shaped.

Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and raised in New Haven, Connecticut — which Tirado notes is “the apizza capital of the world” — Tirado first visited Auburn in 2005 and returned 14 years later to join the Auburn Family along with his wife, Amy Zvonar, and the rest of his family.

“I moved here in 2019 when I was offered the chance to join the faculty here, and we have been here ever since!” he said.

In addition to his work in the classroom, Tirado’s research explores how citizenship and civic identity are shaped through curriculum and pedagogy. With a bachelor’s degree from Yale University, a master’s degree from both the University of Virginia and Yale and his doctorate from the University of Georgia, Tirado brings a wealth of academic experience to Auburn.

Tirado said what he values most about the College of Education is “the community of colleagues inside and outside the college as well as how well we work with schools in the area. I really respect the classroom teachers that I get to work with, and I enjoy seeing them teach and working with them to improve education locally and nationally.”

To students interested in Auburn’s College of Education, Tirado offers a clear invitation to join such a place of learning and collaboration. 

“I would tell them to come visit and be prepared to learn as much as possible,” he said. “We are in schools and classrooms a lot here, and we think it is the best place to learn!”

That hands-on, immersive approach is a hallmark of Auburn’s grounded commitment to real-world learning. And with the recent grand opening of a new 167,000-square-foot College of Education building this fall, Tirado is eager to see how the state-of-the-art space will further foster deeper connections and innovation.

“I am looking forward to seeing how the community, students, teachers and the faculty and staff all come together in this new and exciting space that will hopefully create new opportunities and energy around creating better schools and learning spaces in Alabama and beyond,” he said.