معرفی
Maria Zavala is an Associate Professor of Elementary Education at San Francisco State University (SFSU). She specializes in culturally responsive teaching practices, equity in mathematics education, and supports pre-service teachers in integrating social justice into their pedagogy. Her work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing the role of community, identity, and language in learning.
Her research focuses on marginalized populations, particularly Latiné communities, exploring identity development and culturally relevant instructional strategies. She co-authored Cultivating Mathematical Hearts (2024) and co-edited Early Elementary Mathematics Lessons to Explore Social Injustice (2023), advocating for mathematics as a tool for justice and joy.
Zavala’s professional philosophy centers on the belief that all individuals are inherently mathematical and that education must prioritize human dignity and social transformation. She has over 20 years of experience in mathematics and literacy education across K-12 and higher education settings.
Her recent work includes developing curricular materials that address social inequities through mathematics, such as the Powerful Mathematician’s series, and co-editing special issues on antiracism in mathematics education. She also serves as an educational consultant, extending her impact beyond academia.
