Zia Hassan

Curriculum Vitae

Silver Spring, MD 20906 (240) 271-7408 zhassan4@jh.edu

Research Interests

My research explores the transformative impact of generative AI on educational ecosystems. Rather than focusing solely on technological implementations, I investigate the broader social, pedagogical, and institutional ripple effects that AI technologies create within educational settings. I am particularly interested in how AI reshapes educator roles, student-teacher relationships, assessment practices, and instructional design, with implications for educational equity and policy development.

Education

Johns Hopkins University – School of Education, Baltimore, MD

PhD in Education (In Progress, Expected May 2029)

Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, MD

Certificate in Life & Engagement Coaching, May 2021

Trinity Washington University – School of Education, Washington, DC

Master of Arts in Teaching, December 2016

American University – Kogod School of Business, Washington, DC

Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, May 2007

Relevant Professional Experience

EdTechBFF, Silver Spring, MD

Founder & Educational Technology Consultant, 2021–Present

• Provide specialized consulting services for educational institutions on technology integration
• Developed SharePoint database system for Green Acres School to visualize curriculum connections across grade levels
• Contracted for educational technology projects with various schools and educational organizations

Montgomery College, Rockville, MD

Adjunct Faculty, August 2022–Present

• EDUC101: History and Foundations of Education
• EDUC243: Processes and Acquisition of Reading
• Mentor for ACET accelerated teacher training program

Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, MD

Adjunct Professor & Corporate Trainer, February 2020–Present

• Awarded Adjunct of the Year, 2025
• EDU133: Human Growth and Development
• EDU201: Life & Engagement Coaching
• EDU202: Life & Engagement Coaching (EXPAND)
• Corporate Training: Microsoft Excel, Managing People & Performance, Communication for Leaders

Frederick Community College, Frederick, MD

Adjunct Faculty

• BGMT100: Spreadsheet Applications

Microsoft Education, Washington, DC

Microsoft Learning Consultant, July 2017–June 2022

• Facilitated customized training for K–12 and Higher Education educators nationally
• Developed implementation plans with technology directors, CTOs, and CIOs
• Led pandemic response webinars for major school districts on remote learning
• Presented educational technology research and implementation strategies at major EdTech conferences

Capital City Public Charter School, Washington, DC

Third Grade Lead Teacher, August 2016–August 2017

Truesdell Education Campus, Washington, DC

Third & Fourth Grade ELA Teacher, August 2014–June 2016

IBM Corporation, Washington, DC

Senior Consultant, July 2007–June 2013

Pivot Pilots, Silver Spring, MD

Educational & Career Coach, February 2021–Present

• Applied ICF coaching principles to support professional transitions

Methodological & Technical Expertise

Methods

• Inferential Statistics
• Linear Models
• Machine Learning
• Biostatistics
• Multi-level Models
• Qualitative Data Analysis

Technology & Software

• AI Tools: Claude, ChatGPT, and other LLMs
• Programming: Python, R
• Statistical Software: Stata
• Development: VSCode
• Microsoft Office Suite (Expert)
• Adobe Creative Suite

Research Experience

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Doctoral Researcher, 2022–Present

• Research collaborator on study examining teacher perceptions and experiences with the ALEF AI-enabled learning platform (PI: Dr. Jennifer Morrison); conducted semi-structured interviews with educators, supported data presentation, and will lead qualitative write-up of interview findings
• Research collaborator on media literacy study examining evidence of media literacy support across state department of education websites; responsibilities include data collection and coding
• Consultant researcher with Dover School District supporting stakeholder training on EWIMS data logging procedures to improve accuracy of early warning system predictions
• Research assistant on Research Partnership for Professional Learning grant focusing on social perspective taking between teachers and students (Social Psychology in Environmental Education Lab with Dr. Hunter Gehlbach)
  • Quantitative analysis of teacher-student interactions and perspective-taking outcomes
  • Statistical modeling of educational intervention effects
• Investigating AI personas through psychological experimentation (in data collection phase)
• Leading AI-based methodology personal relevance study on climate change motivation, with focus on survey design related to AI

Selected Academic Writing

Pre-prints and Working Papers

Hassan, Z., Robey, M., & Gehlbach, H. (2026). Core competencies for planetary health education: An AI-assisted review and synthesis of health professions literature. OSF Preprints. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/HR2VS

Hassan, Z. (2025). Friction and coordination in schooling: Transactional teaching, relational work, and the limits of educational efficiency. OSF Preprints. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/9B47G

Hassan, Z. (2024). Student motivation in regard to AI. Research Gate. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.24184.97281

Book Chapters

Hassan, Z., Plucker, J., Gao, Q., & Qian, M. (Forthcoming). Reimagining creativity assessment in the modern era. In Bill Lucas, Handbook for creativity in schools. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Hassan, Z. (2026). Artificial intelligence and the evolution of talent development in education. In Jonathan Plucker and Melanie Meyer, The future of advanced education and talent development. Information Age Publishing Inc.

Books

Hassan, Z. (2020). Inventing the modern classroom: A research-based approach to educational technology integration. Kindle Direct Publishing.

Manuscripts in Preparation

Hassan, Z. (manuscript in preparation). Friction and coordination in schooling: Why assessment’s future depends on preserving human judgment. Research and Practice in Assessment [Special Issue: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Assessment in Higher Education]. Invited for submission.

Hassan, Z., & Plucker, J. (manuscript in preparation). Why underachievement interventions often miss the point: The case for intrapersonal knowledge systems over adaptive learning technology. Frontiers in Psychology [Special Issue: Bridging the Gap: Technology-Driven Solutions for Underachievement and Unlocking Potential]. Abstract accepted.

Hassan, Z. (2024). Generative AI usage motivations among educators: A rapid review [Unpublished manuscript]. Johns Hopkins University.

Curriculum Development

AI in Education Course, Johns Hopkins University

Co-developer with Dr. Jim Diamond, 2024–Present

• Developing an original AI in Education course for the new master’s program in the Johns Hopkins International Teaching and Global Learning program
• Designing curriculum as a requirement for technology track students

Azure AI Certification Course, New York Department of Education

Curriculum Developer, 2024–Present

• Developing AI in Education course for Career and Technical Education (CTE) students
• Creating preparation materials for the Microsoft Azure 900 certification exam
• Contracted by NYDOE to build state-level AI curriculum

Presentations & Invited Talks

Keynote Presentations

Hassan, Z. (2024, May). AI in education: What’s on the horizon [Commencement address]. Anne Arundel Community College Commencement, Arnold, MD.

Hassan, Z. (2023, August). AI in education: Everything is about to change [Conference presentation]. Montgomery College Part-time Faculty Conference, Rockville, MD.

Hassan, Z. (2024, March). How to coach a human with AI [Conference presentation]. The Conference for Coaches, Arnold, MD.

Hassan, Z. (2024, February). Implications of artificial intelligence in coaching [Invited talk]. International Coaching Federation Maryland Chapter, Gambrills, MD.

Panel Participation

Hassan, Z. (2024, October). Expert panelist on AI in education [Roundtable discussion]. U.S. Department of Education Roundtable, Washington, DC.

Hassan, Z. (2023, November). Expert panelist on AI in education [Roundtable discussion]. DC State Board of Education Roundtable, Washington, DC.

Conference Presentations

Hassan, Z. (2021, June). Teaching Generation Z [Conference presentation]. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference, Virtual.

Hassan, Z. (2019, June). Minecraft in education [Two-day workshop]. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Hassan, Z. (2017–2022). Breakout sessions on accessibility, Microsoft Teams, OneNote, and educational technology integration Conference presentations. ISTE, FETC, TCEA, and NCCE, Various Locations.

Academic Service & Leadership

Grant Reviewer, Aspen Institute – Stevens Initiative

November 2020–Present

• Review educational virtual exchange grants for US-MENA programs
• Provide assessment and recommendations for funding decisions

Campaign Team, Emily Gasoi for DC State Board of Education District 1

Summer/Fall 2018

• Contributed to successful election campaign for education policy leadership role

Board Member, EmpowerEd

August 2017–January 2019

• Advised on strategic direction focusing on teacher empowerment and educational equity

Professional Memberships

• American Educational Research Association (AERA)
• International Coaching Federation (ICF)
• Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness (SREE)

References

• Dr. Jonathan Plucker, Johns Hopkins University — jplucke1@jhu.edu
• Dr. Hunter Gehlbach, Johns Hopkins University — gehlbach@jhu.edu