Ayanna Cooper, EdD, is a consultant, advocate for culturally and linguistically diverse learners, and a U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist alumna. As owner of ACooper Consulting, her projects involve providing technical assistance internationally and to state departments of education, school districts, and nonprofit organizations. She emphasizes the importance of building the capacity of district and school leaders to develop and manage English language programs and improve the instructional practices of teachers of English learners. She is a coauthor of Evaluating ALL Teachers of English Learners and Students With Disabilities: Supporting Great Teaching (with Staehr Fenner and Kozik) and coeditor of Black Immigrants in the United States: Essays on the Politics of Race, Language, and Voice (with Ibrahim). She has contributed to a number of books and publications, such as the WIDA Essential Actions Handbook and Language Magazine. She also writes a monthly blog focused on the civil rights of English learners for TESOL International Association. As a plenary speaker and frequent conference presenter, she has had the opportunity to share her work across the United States and internationally. In addition to teaching English as a second language, she has held a number of positions throughout her career, such as English learner instructional coach, urban education teacher supervisor, Title III director, and bilingual program specialist. Dr. Cooper is currently serving on the executive board of TESOL International Association.
