Nadia Behizadeh

Nadia Behizadeh is a Professor of Adolescent Literacy in the Department of Middle and Secondary Education at Georgia State University’s College of Education & Human Development. Her work focuses on equitable literacy practices, critical pedagogy, and social justice in urban schools. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Studies from Emory University (2012), complemented by teaching credentials from California State University (2005) and a B.A. in English from the University of Georgia (2002).

Behizadeh’s research explores writing instruction, large-scale assessments, and teacher preparation. Her interdisciplinary approach addresses systemic barriers to literacy access through projects like the Preparing, Supporting and Retaining Elementary Mathematics Specialists initiative. She chairs the English Language Arts Teacher Educators (ELATE) and co-leads the English Education Summer Conference.

Her publications emphasize authentic writing practices and critical consciousness development. Key articles include analyses of sociopolitical discourses in schools and the impact of policy on educator autonomy. Behizadeh has secured grants from the Spencer Foundation and U.S. Department of Education, supporting projects on equity-centered pedagogy and curriculum design.

Behizadeh advises doctoral students in Language and Literacy and Teaching & Teacher Education. She coordinates the M.Ed. in Literacy Education and teaches courses on literacy methods and research theory. Professional affiliations include the National Council of Teachers of English and the Scholars Strategy Network.