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ABOUT
Me

“Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.” – Theodore Isaac Rubin

sim

Dr. Simone Elias is a dedicated K-12 educator, researcher, doctor of education faculty member, and dissertation chair. Through her expertise in instructional technology and organizational leadership, she strives to create inclusive learning environments and empower students and educators alike. She holds a Doctorate in Education in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University and an Education Specialist degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Maine, Orono, along with a Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Cambridge College. Additionally, she has earned Graduate Certificates in Technology Integration and Computational Thinking from the University of Maine.

As a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Elias has made significant contributions to the field of education through her research and publications, focusing on culturally responsive experiences in higher education, family engagement communication strategies with technology, and the challenges faced by women and historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups in the computer science field. Her work has been published in esteemed journals such as The Interdisciplinary Journal of Advances in Research in Education and the Journal of Research Initiatives.

Dr. Elias has received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to education, including being honored as a Common Sense Educator and nominated for the "STEM MVP" Outstanding STEM Teacher award by iRobot. Her accolades also include awards for online course design, excellence in teaching, and academic excellence during her doctoral studies.

In her role as a dissertation chair, Dr. Elias has guided and mentored doctoral candidates on diverse topics, including leadership styles in higher education, the experiences of teachers of color in K-12 environments, and the impact of technology on work-life balance. Her expertise has shaped the research and academic careers of many aspiring scholar-practitioners. She has also presented workshops and collaborated on peer-reviewed projects at prestigious institutions and conferences, sharing her insights on designing playful learning spaces for young learners, enhancing second-language learning, and leadership in the 21st century.

Dr. Elias holds licenses as an Administrator, Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent, and has academic licenses in Instructional Technology and Digital Literacy & Computer Science.  Outside of academia, Dr. Elias has gained valuable experience with leading technology companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Nuance, where she has applied her expertise in education and technology to real-world settings. Her extensive education, practical experience, and scholarly contributions make her a leader in the field of instructional technology and educational leadership.

Pastel Spots Transparent

Educator

Dissertation Chair 

Qualitative Researcher 

Lifelong Learner

   Dr.Simone Elias

 

 

 

 

 

Education

Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership

Northeastern University, Boston - MA

Education Specialist in Instructional Technology

University of Maine, Orono - Maine

Graduate Certificate in Technology Integration

University of Maine- Orono - Maine

Graduate Certificate in Computational Thinking

University of Maine- Orono - Maine


Master of Education in Instructional Technology 

Cambridge College, Cambrige - MA

 

 

 

Licenses 

Administrator

Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent (All-levels)

Academic

Instructional Technology (All-levels)

Digital Literacy & Computer Science PK-6

                     

  • Cromarty, E.; Young, M.; Elias. S.; (2022) Teaching and Designing Culturally Responsive Experiences Using Cross-Media Film in Higher Education (Accepted, forthcoming, The Interdisciplinary Journal of Advances in Research in Education) 

  • Elias. S.; Cromarty, E.; Wilson-Jones, L. (2022) Family Engagement Communication Strategies with Technology. Journal of Research Initiatives, Special Edition; 6. (2)

  • Elias. S.; Cromarty, E.; Wilson-Jones, L. (2022) Obstacles Women and Historically Marginalized Racial and Ethnic Groups (HMREG) Face in the Computer Science Field. Journal of Research Initiatives, Special Edition; 6. (1)

  • Cromarty, E; Elias. S.; Karapetian, O. (2022) “Designing Learning Spaces for Hispanic and/or Latino/a Knowledge to Emerge in Doctor of Education Programs" (Accepted, forthcoming, Journal of Research Initiatives).

  • Rached, A; Elias, S; Wilson-Jones, L. (2020) "Brain Science and Parent-School Relationships in a Title 1 Elementary School in Massachusetts: A Basic Qualitative Study," Journal of Research Initiatives. 5 (2).

  • Elias, S., Akitano, M., (2019) "Organizational Culture and Effectiveness: A Literature Review". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science. 9 (9).

  • Rached, A; Elias. S.; (2019) "Distributed Leadership in the 21st century: Theorizing a Mindful Engagement Component" Journal of Research Initiatives. Special Edition

  • Li, C; Cai, Q; Elias, S.; (2019) "Mindfulness and well-being: A Mixed-methods Study of Bilingual Guided Meditation in Higher Education". Special Edition

  • Elias, S., Cole, B., Wilson-Jones, L. (2018). "Leadership and spirituality: Conceptualization, Definition, and Future Directions in Higher Education". Journal of Research Initiatives. 3 (3).

  • Elias, S., Akitano, M., (2018) "Charismatic Leadership Studies- Past, Present, and Future: Theorizing the Potential of Charismatic Rhetoric Research in Doctor of Education Programs". International Journal for Social Science Research. 6 (2).

Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed

 

Awards and Recognitions

Common Sense Educator - 2022 -2024

San Francisco, CA

iRobot -  2019. 

Boston, MA - Nominated: “STEM MVP” Outstanding STEM Teacher

 

Fayetteville State University - 2017.

Fayetteville, NC- Outstanding Online Course Design Award

Northeastern University - 2013, 2014, 2015.

Boston, MA -Voted a favorite professor: “Cauldron Yearbook”

 

Northeastern University - 2013, 2014, 2015.

Boston, MA- Nominated: “Excellence in Teaching Award”

International Conference in the New Directions in the Humanities - 2013.

Budapest, Hungary - Awarded: “Graduate Scholar Award”  

 

Northeastern University - 2012, 2013.                                         Boston, Massachusetts- Awarded: “Academic Excellence Award”- Doctoral Studies.

Congressional Youth Leadership- 2011                                          

Washington, DC- “Educational Leader and Mentor”- In recognition for mentoring efforts to assist students by advancing educational opportunities.

 

Publishing Works -  2010.                                                        Medford, Massachusetts-“Literary parties to kids” to promote literacy through the ages.

 

Kaspersky Lab  - 2009.                                                              Burlington- Massachusetts -“Touchdowns for Technology

Chair
Committee Member 
 External Examiner
Selected Doctoral Dissertations

"Portraits of Hispanic and/or Latino Leadership Development in the Military" (2024)

"The Perceived Factors that Influenced African American Male Students' Persistence at a Southeastern Community Colege" (2024)

"Latino and/or Hispanic Male Leaders in Community Colleges in Texas: A Narrative Study" (2023).


"Authentic Narratives of Successful Pathways to Undergraduate Completion for Black Men" (2023).

"Project-Based Learning: Teachers' Perceptions" (2022) 


"Portraits of Leadership in Higher Education: Directors of Centers for Teaching and Learning Leadership Styles and DEI Practices at Four-Year Universities in the U.S." (2022)

"A Qualitative Study Exploring the Lived Experiences of Teachers of Color in Predominately White K–12 Environments" (2022)

"An Examination of Academic Advising: How Satisfaction and Frequency of Advising Predict Degree Commitment Among Hispanic/Latino Students in Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs" (2022).

" Teachers’ Perceptions of the Impact of Principal Leadership Style on Teacher Transfers in International Schools in South Korea" (2022).

"For-Profit Business Leaders’ Perceptions of Technology and Conflict Resolution in the Workplace" (2022)

"A Study of the Perceptions of New North Texas Assistant Principals on Administrative Preparation Programs" (2022)

"Portraits of Visionary Leaders: Technology Director’s Leadership Characteristics and Experiences in K-12 Independent Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic" (2021).


"Experiences of Chinese Students in Higher Education in the Southeastern United States: A Narrative Study" (2021).
 
"Testimonios of Chicano Leadership in Texas Community Colleges" (2021)
 
"Faculty of Color Viewpoints Regarding Recruitment, Retention, and Academic Climate at Texas Community Colleges" (2021).
 
"Increased Access to Information Communication Technologies and Work-Life Balance with K-12 Leaders" (2020).

"Public School Administrators’ Perceptions of Teacher Expectations and the Influence on Behavior Infractions and Academic Achievement of Black Students in Mismatch Title I Classrooms" (2020).

"Strategies Framed Within Transformational Leadership That African American Female Principals Use to Retain Teachers in Texas High-Poverty Schools: A Case Study" (2020).

"Urban School Leaders and Community Partners in Support of Arts Education: A Narrative Study"(2020).

"Black Male Student Success in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)" (2020).

"Exploring the Voices, Experiences, and Leadership Career Paths of Women of Color in Higher Education" (2020).

"A Sense of Belonging Among Minority Students at a Southeastern State Flagship University" (2020).

"The Perceived Factors That Influenced African American Male Students’ Persistence at a Southeastern Community College" (2020)

 “Leadership Development and Mindful Engagement:  Life Story Narratives of Veterans in High-Ranking Civilian Roles in the U.S. Federal Government” (2019).

"A Program Evaluation of Mentoring: How Does It Affect Teacher Attrition" (2019).

Dissertation Title:  “Life Story Narratives of Department Chair Experiences in Higher Education Institutions” (2019).

"The Organizational Structures of Instructional Design Teams in Higher Education: A Multiple Case Study" (2018).

"The lived experiences of vice presidents for student affairs: a study exploring how social identity impacts leadership approach" (2017).

"Acceptability and preliminary outcomes of Bilingual Guided Meditation (BGM®) in the College Foreign Language Classroom" (2017).

"An educational historical narrative study of visualization in the progressive art pedagogy of Lowenfeld" (2017).

"The impact of cultural capital on graduation rates: An ethnographic study of Native American students in southeastern North Carolina" (2016).

"The ideologies of teachers and parents regarding family-school relationships in urban elementary schools: a case study" (2016).

" Business as usual?: faculty understanding of cultural competence and its impact on practice" (2016). 
 

Selected Workshops, Presentations & Peer-Reviewed Collaborations 

University of Maine

Orono, Maine

Elias, S. “Designing Playful Google Classroom Learning Spaces for Young Learners”

American Psychological Association

San Francisco, CA           

Li, C; Cai, Q; Elias, S. “Mindful in Two Tongues: Enhancing Second-Language Learning Using Bilingual Guided Meditation”

Research Initiatives International Conference.

Fayetteville, NC   

Elias, S. "Leadership in the 21st Century"

International Conference: New Directions in the Humanities.

Budapest, Hungary 

Elias, S., “New Directions of Hybrid Education” 

McGill University Conference on New Directions in the Humanities, Montreal, Canada

Elias, S., “Hybrid Education of Languages: Not a New Trend the New Normal”

Boston University, Startalk Conference

Boston, MA 

Elias, S., “Designing and Teaching Foreign Languages with the Hybrid Method”

Non- Academic Experience

Microsoft  - Product Advisor 

Apple - Creative Trainer

Amazon - Applied Machine Learning Science Process Expert 

Nuance Technologies -  Consultant for Software Voice Recognition. 

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