Meet Our Founder
Hi! I'm Dr. Shadi!
Dr. Shadi Seyedyousef (she/her) is an immigrant, educator, and activist based in Los Angeles, CA. She was born in Iran and came to the United States at the age of 3 after being diagnosed with severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Shadi
has been an educator for over 10 years, and she has taught sixth grade, fourth grade, first grade, kindergarten, and special education, but will forever be a first grade teacher in her heart because she LOVES the magic of teaching young kids
how to read! She has always been a founding staff member in the school communities she has worked with, and in 2018, she was honored to receive the KIPPStar Teacher of the Year award for her work with her first graders. Dr. Shadi holds a BA in Liberal Studies, a Certificate of Peace Studies, and an MA in Social and Cultural Analysis of Education from California State University, Long Beach along with an EdD in Educational Leadership for Social Justice from Loyola Marymount University. She focused her dissertation on emancipatory teaching and learning in early education (PK-1st) by looking at the intersection of the Reggio Emilia approach and critical pedagogy.
RESULTS
Highest MAP data in first grade with 96% of students proficient or advanced in ELA, 92% proficient or advanced in math
100% of students on RSP caseload making significant gains during distance learning
Successfully coached 4+ novice teachers from apprentice teachers to lead teachers and now leaders in their respective roles
Awarded KIPPStar Teacher of the Year, 2018
EXPERIENCES
10+ years of experience as an educator, 20+ years of experience as a community organizer and activist
Founding teacher and leader at four schools across Los Angeles
Participant in Equity Learning Institute's Racial Equity Facilitator Training series
KIPP SoCal Social Justice Committee co-leader for Culturally Responsive Teaching subcommittee
Leading for Liberation and Equity PDs facilitator as a teacher leader and administrator
Presenter in conferences, webinars, and panels both in person and virtually with as many as over 1,000 participants
Board Member for Teach for America, Los Angeles’ The Collective Board and Arthritis Foundation’s Young Professionals Board
SKILLS
Building engaging and thought-provoking adult learning experiences
Coaching and mentorship of new and experienced teachers
Using data as a tool for backwards planning
Designing elementary and middle school curriculum utilizing critical pedagogy concepts and C3 framework, as well as Social Justice Standards
Qualitative research- published dissertation entitled “Edifying the Spirit of Love and Liberation in the Education of Young Children: Lessons from Critical Pedagogy and Reggio Emilia Inspired Educators”