About the Researcher
Dr. Reza received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) in May 2013. Her thesis topic explored the experiences and expectations of immigrant Pakistani parents regarding parental involvement in U.S. schools and highlighted the social justice shortcomings that have been faced by these parents in the light of recent world events. While enrolled in the doctoral program, she completed a parallel research study on teacher perspectives on Assessment Strategies and Professional Development for Transitional Kindergarten, under a grant from the Lucile-Packard Foundation. She also co-conducted a research study regarding the perceptions towards girls’ education, which involved a multisite case study with teachers and administrators of Pakistani elementary schools. Results from this study were presented at the 2015 American Educational Research Association (AERA) in Washington DC. Other studies explored the implications of the Common Core State Standards for the field of Pre-k education, accepted for presentation at the 2017 AERA conference; successes and challenges in retaining girls in Pakistani schools, accepted for publication in the Forum on Public Policy and presented at the 2018 Oxford International Round Table Symposium; and parenting styles and discipline strategies: a qualitative study, presented at the 2019 Oxford International Round Table Symposium.
Dr. Reza has written research-based articles that address social justice issues of immigrant parents and students in several journals. Her first book, The Effects of the September 11 Terrorist Attack on Pakistani-American Parental Involvement in U.S. Schools, was released by Lexington books in 2015. She also co-authored a chapter, Cultural literacy practices in U.S. public schools: Voices of Pakistani immigrant parents in Reconceptualizing Literacy in the New Age of Multiculturalism and Pluralism by Information Age Publishing (2015). Dr. Reza was also featured in the Women of Distinction Magazine in the October 2015 issue.
In 2019, Austin Macauley Publishers in the United Kingdom published Dr. Reza's first children's book, Mary and Her New Friends, which addresses themes related to South Asian culture and at the same time helps young children develop empathy for those with special needs. At the end of the book, there are some coloring pages based on henna patterns for readers to color and enjoy.
Dr. Reza completed a master’s degree in early childhood education from CSULB in 2013. She also has a Montessori diploma from Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). In 2018 she attended a specialized workshop regarding the Reggio Emilia philosophy from Italy. She has conducted extensive research on ECE and is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), AMI, Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), and the National Academic Honor Societies Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Theta Kappa and Pi Lambda Theta.
Dr. Reza has completed a certificate program in diversity and inclusion from Cornell University and has taken graduate level courses in diversity and inclusion in management at Harvard University and in intercultural communications at Oxford University. She currently serves as the Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty at the American College of Education in Indiana, USA where she develops initiatives promoting greater cultural competence within staff and faculty and also teaches online graduate and undergraduate courses. She also serves as a University Supervisor for Brandman University, wherein she evaluates the performance and progress of candidate teachers via formative and summative assessments.
“Even though our society has made significant strides towards racial equality, many minorities and immigrant citizens remained concerned that their needs are not addressed by their children’s schools”
Videos
Dr. Reza
Diversity and Inclusion: The Growth Mindset and Learning from Lobsters, University of Oxford
Dr. Reza
How to write a story - Workshop hosted by the NGO Developments in Literacy
Dr. Reza
Discussion regarding Inclusivity and Representation F.I.R.E. Friday sponsored by the Coalition on Anti Racism Education.
Dr. Reza
Teaching Diverse Students in Early Childhood Classrooms
Dr. Reza
Expert Insight with Dr Fawzia Reza
Dr. Reza
The Role of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in Early Childhood and Beyond
Dr. Reza
Publicity and book readings, Mary and Her New Friends. Palos Verdes and Redondo Beach libraries in California
Dr. Reza
Introduction to Book
Dr. Reza
Book Publicity Tour 2016
Dr. Reza
OPEN-Silicon Valley Forum, 2016
Dr. Reza
Trailer for Mary and Her New Friends
Dr. Reza
Official Trailer from Austin Macauley Publishers
Dr. Reza
Public Talk about Diversity and Inclusion, Publicity for Mary and Her New Friends
News & Reviews
Publications
- F. Reza (2023). Diversity and Inclusion- Developed a four-module workshop for Atomcamp
- F. Reza (2023). Anyone for a No Female Left Behind (NFLB) Policy? National Diversity Council Newsletter
- Reza, F. (2022, July). Diversity and inclusion: The growth mindset and learning from lobsters. International Round Table Symposiums, Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford.
- Reza, F. (2022, July). Mind your language: The power of words, race & beyond. National Diversity Council Newsletter.
- Reza, F. (2022, July). Think before you speak! Varied abilities & ableist language. National Diversity Council Newsletter.
- Reza, F. (2022). Inclusive preschool classrooms. International Journal of Education and Evaluation, 8(2), 44-47.
- Reza, F. (2022, May). What airports can teach us about inclusive spaces. American College of Education.
- Reza, F. (2022, April). The possibilities ahead: Addressing the impact of COVID-19 on educational equity. AERA-Division G Fireside Chat [Symposium]. American Educational Research Association.
- Reza, F. (2022). The role of NGOs in promoting education: Successes and challenges. International Journal of Education, Learning and Development, 10(1), 24-43.
- Reza, F. (2022, March). Bias and photographs: The role of media. National Diversity Council Newsletter.
- Reza, F. (2022, January). Why do women have to prove it again! Enough excuses already! Diversity Global
- Reza, F. (2022). Diversity and inclusion in educational institutions. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
- Reza, F. (2021). Fostering diversity and inclusion in young children. Childhood Explorer
- Reza, F. (2021, December). Diversity Muslim Children — Childhood Explorer.
- Reza, F. (2021). The role of culturally responsive pedagogy in early childhood and beyond. Leading and Learning with ACE [Audio podcast].
- Reza, F. (2021). Is girl's education in a conservative third world society sustainable? The challenges to enroll and retain girls in Pakistani schools. In World of Children: Perceptions and Connections in Sustainability with Reflections during the Pandemic.Linton Atlantic Books.
- Reza, F. (2021). Differentiated instructions and diverse learners: How early childhood practitioners promote inclusive classrooms. In Diverse learning in 2020 and beyond (1st ed., pp. 17-32). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
- Reza, F. (2021). Teacher toolbox series: Teaching diverse students in early childhood classrooms. Kappa Delta Pi.
- Reza, F. (2021). De facto segregation and the digital divide. Handbook of Research on Barriers for Teaching 21st-Century Competencies and the Impact of Digitalization, 145-160.
- Childhood Education International. (2021). An expert’s insight: Dr. Fawzia Reza on diversity and inclusion in early education. Diversity and Inclusion in Education [Audio podcast].
- Reza, F. (2020). Parenting styles and discipline strategies of immigrants: A qualitative study. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(12B), 8402-8410.
- Reza, F. (2020). COVID-19 and disparities in education: Collective responsibility can address inequities. Knowledge Cultures, 8(3), 68.
- Reza, F. (2020). Fostering diversity and inclusion in young children. Childhood Explorer.
- Reza, F. (2020). The impact of racism on the health of children Arizona Health Equity Conference.
- Reza, F., Maurer, E., & Jandes, K. (2020). Exploring comprehensive diversity and inclusion practices at an online college: Reflection, discussion, and implementation. Academia Journal of Educational Research, 8(9), 343-352.
- Reza, F. (2020). Anti-bias education: How to value differences and challenge unfairness. Leading and Learning with ACE (Audio podcast).
- Reza, F (2019). Diversity and Inclusion: An Elusive Goal in United States Schools? In Cook, P. (Ed). Discovering New Educational Trends: A Symposium in Belize, Central America, 3rd ed. 328-340
- Reza, F. (2019). 3 discussion questions to introduce Ramadan to your students. Retrieved from the American College of Education Blog, https://www.ace.edu/blog/post/2019/04/16/3-discussion-questions-to-introduce-ramadan-to-your-students
- Reza, F (2019). The effects of the September 11 terrorist attack on Pakistani-American parental involvement in U.S. schools. Belizean International Symposium on Education (BISE), Belize City, Belize.
- Reza, F. (2018). Is education a basic right for all? A glimpse into the successes and challenges in enrolling a marginalized population. Forum on Public Policy, 2018(1). Also presented at the 2018 Oxford International Round Table, Harris Manchester College.
- Reza, F. (2018). Roadblocks in educating girls in Pakistan: Successes and challenges. Belizean International Symposium on Education (BISE), Belize City, Belize
- Reza, F. & Pattnaik, J. (2017). ECE professionals’ perspectives on the implications of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for the field of ECE. American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual conference, San Antonio, TX
- Reza, F. (2017). Building bridges for girl’s education in Pakistan: Challenges and recommendations. Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) annual conference, Washington, DC.
- Reza, F. (Contribution to article by L. Derman-Sparks, 2016). Why we practice anti-bias education. Anti-Bias Education Exchange July/August 2016
- Reza, F. (2015). The effects of the September 11 terrorist attack on Pakistani-American parental involvement in U.S. schools. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
- Reza, F. & Pattnaik, J. (2015). Cultural literacy practices in U.S. public schools: Voices of Pakistani immigrant parents. In Schmidt, P. (Ed) Reconceptualizing Literacy in the New Age of Multiculturalism and Pluralism, 2nd ed., p. 317–342. Information Age Publishing.
- Reza, F. & Pattnaik, J. (2015). Perceptions towards girls ‘education: A multisite case study with teachers and administrators of Pakistani elementary schools. American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual conference, Washington DC
- Reza, F. (2014). Do schools perpetuate racial profiling? A qualitative study on immigrant Pakistani parents. Race Equality Teaching, 33(1), 22-26.
- Reza, F. (2014). Experiences and expectations of immigrant Pakistani parents regarding parental involvement in schools. American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual conference, Philadelphia.
- Reza, F. (2014). Is my child really behind? The Transitional Kindergarten Program. Parent-Teacher Workshop, Un Mundo De Amigos Preschool, Long Beach, Ca (multiple dates)
- Reza, F. (2013). Teacher perspectives on assessment strategies and professional development for Transitional Kindergarten. David and Lucile Packard Foundation Ed.D. Fellowship Program, California State University. Long Beach, CA
- Reza, F. (2013). Experiences and expectations of immigrant Pakistani parents regarding parental involvement in schools. (Doctoral dissertation). California State University, Long Beach.
- Reza, F. (2013). Social justice issues in public schools: A qualitative study of experiences of immigrant Pakistani parents in US schools. Paper presentation, 2013 Emerging Scholars Conference, Chapman University.
- Reza, F. (2013). Transitional kindergarten. Invited lecture at EDEC 621, Research Seminar on Early Childhood Development, California State University, Long Beach
- Reza, F. (2013). Experiences and expectations of Pakistani parents. Poster presentation, 2013 Educational Leadership Symposium, California State University, Long Beach