Susan V. Piazza

Susan V. Piazza is Professor and Chair of the Teaching, Learning, and Educational Studies Department at Western Michigan University. With over 25 years of experience in urban/rural schools, her work focuses on educational equity for marginalized students. She holds an EdD and MEd from Wayne State University, and a BEd/BA from the University of Windsor.

Her research examines literacy learning, digital pedagogies, teacher development, and caregiver engagement. Recent projects explore virtual classrooms, multilingual instruction, and community literacy initiatives. She actively collaborates with regional agencies to address teacher shortages and curriculum development.

Dr. Piazza's publications demonstrate sustained focus on educational equity through:

• Literacy improvement frameworks
• Culturally responsive assessments
• Professional development models
• Digital pedagogy adaptations

Honors include:

• Teacher Educator of the Year Award (Michigan Reading Association, 2016)

She serves as Treasurer of the Literacy Research Association and has led federally-funded grants to enhance teacher effectiveness for minority students.