Mayida Zaal

Dr. Mayida Zaal serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Secondary and Special Education at Montclair State University's College for Education and Engaged Learning. With extensive global teaching experience across diverse age groups and settings, she brings international perspectives to her work with pre-service and in-service teachers.

Education Background:

• B.A. in Biological Sciences and Spanish from Rutgers University
• M.S. in Educational Leadership from Bank Street College of Education
• Ph.D. in Urban Education from the Graduate Center at the City University of New York

Dr. Zaal's research centers on participatory action research as transformative pedagogy and the lived experiences of immigrant-origin youth, particularly examining Islamophobia's impact in educational contexts. Her work bridges global perspectives from research in the Netherlands and Nigeria with local New Jersey and New York settings. Her scholarship reveals consistent focus on social justice, teacher preparation for diversity, and youth empowerment through critical pedagogy.

Dr. Zaal's publication record demonstrates evolving research trajectories from foundational work on Muslim-American identity formation (2007-2010) toward contemporary applications of participatory action research in educational justice (2013-2021). Her interdisciplinary approach spans education policy, sociology of religion, gender studies, and critical methodology.

Scientific Recognition:

• National Science Foundation Fellowships
• American Association of University Women's American Fellowship

As a founding member of the Public Science Project and active participant in education policy boards, Dr. Zaal connects scholarly work with practical applications. Her teaching portfolio includes core teacher education courses (Teaching for Learning I & II, Assessment for Authentic Learning) and graduate-level curriculum development for aspiring school leaders. Her global teaching experience—from middle school science in New Brunswick to adult ESL instruction and international curriculum development—informs her commitment to preparing educators for increasingly diverse classrooms.