Nat Hansuvadha
- Professor: Department of Liberal Studies
- Professor: Department of Advanced Studies in Education and Counseling
- Department Chair: Department of Liberal Studies
My early classroom experiences with students with disabilities has been foundational to my professional identity and trajectory. Prior to teaching in public education settings, I worked as a paraeducator for children and adults with extensive support needs in Ventura County. Observing compassionate and skilled special education teachers, who affirmed and taugth to students' assets, inspired me to pursue teaching in special education. What resulted was a career as an Education Specialist for six years serving early childhood and elementary students with disabilities.
Fast forward, I pursued my master's degree and Ph.D. in education hoping to acquire a more extensive and critical set of knowledge and skills to effectively advocate for students and families with disabilities. Thankfully, my decision to work at Cal State Long Beach was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students at "The Beach" has been such joyful, humbling, and purposeful work.
As a professor in the College of Education, I coordinated and taught in the Master of Science in Special Education program and co-designed the Urban Dual Credential Program. Now in my current role as department chair in Liberal Studies, I lead one of the largest Liberal Studies departments in the state and work alongside an amazing team of exceptional faculty, staff, and advisors. I currently direct three teacher training grants through the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to innovate curriculum and attract, prepare, and graduate future culturally responsive teachers.
My teaching, service, and research activities align with my commitment to create more humanizing spaces for our students. For example, as past president of the California Association of Professors of Special Education (CAPSE/TED) and as a consultant on the California CEEDAR team (), I work with colleagues in the state to conduct research, support school districts, and enhance educational leadership and teacher preparation programs to increase the quality of inclusive education for all students. As the Summit lead for the (CCOG) annual educator conference, I bring PK-12 teachers together for networking, professional learning, and centering the joy in teaching and learning.
I have taught and mentored undergraduate and graduate students at MD传媒入口, chaired thesis and dissertation students, and advised students in education-related fields. As a facilitator and mentor, I seek to engage students in reflective and critical dialogue and meaning-making. I support students in making connections between theory and practice with emphasis on the personal and ethical implications of teaching all learners.
Below are courses I have primarily taught at the undergraduate and master's level:
EDSP 355A: Collaborative Partnerships and Strategies for Teaching All Students in Elementary Schools
UDCP 401: Positive Behavior Supports
EDSP 546: Action Research in Special Education
EDSP 570: Community Inclusion: Introduction to Individuals with Disabilities
EDSP 695: Seminar in Special Education
My areas of research and scholarship include:
- Inclusive teacher and school leadership preparation
- Teacher retention and attrition in special education
- Culturally responsive collaboration with families of children with special needs
California Association in Inclusive Schooling (CAIS). As a consultant, develop and prepare a state report regarding the status of access and inclusion for students with disabilities in California and the preparation of teachers for inclusive settings. March 15, 2025-December 31, 2025. Total budget: $8,000.
Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) PK-3 Early Childhood Specialist Credential Integrated Teacher Preparation Program Planning Grant, Principal Investigator. Funding dates, July 1, 2023-December 31, 2025. Total budget: $250,000.
Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) Education Specialist Credential Program Integrated Teacher Preparation Program Planning Grant, Principal Investigator. Funding dates, June 1, 2023-December 31, 2025. Total budget: $250,000.
Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) Integrated Teacher Preparation Program Implementation and Expansion Grant, Co-Principal Investigator. Funding dates, June 1, 2023-December 31, 2025. Total budget: $500,000.
Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform (CEEDAR) 3.0. (CFDA 84.325A). External Consultant State Team Member (2021-2025).
CEEDAR Center, funded through the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education, builds upon the successful collaborative efforts over the past ten years as the CEEDAR 1.0 and 2.0 Center. Like the previous grants, the Center is designed to improve and align standards and the professional preparation of general and special education teachers and leaders working with students with disabilities. Additional emphasis will be placed on measuring the impact that changes have on the ability to attract, prepare, and retain teachers and leaders, especially those from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds and those with disabilities
Hansuvadha, N. (2025, accepted). Status of inclusion and access for students with disabilities in California and implications for teacher preparation. California Alliance for Inclusive Schooling (CAIS).
Soodjinda, D., Hansuvadha, N., & Grenot-Scheyer, M. (2025, accepted). Culturally Affirming Teacher Education in the United States. Oxford University Press.
Juarez, S., Bagwell, J., Flores, C., & Hansuvadha, N. (2024, in progress). Inclusive Principal Leadership in California. Journal of School Leadership.
Rosenquist, W. & Hansuvadha, N. (2022). Building professional capacity among paraprofessionals through onboarding. Journal of Education Human Resources, 40(4), 437-476.
Soodjinda, D., Hansuvadha, N., & Grenot-Scheyer, M. (2021). Culturally Relevant Teacher Education in the United States. Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/OBO/9780199756810-0130.
Pandya, J.Z., Hansuvadha, N., & Pagdilao, K.A.C. (2018). Digital literacies through an intersectional lens: The case of Javier. English Teaching: Critique & Practice, 17(4), pp. 387-399.
Reese, L., Richards-Tutor, C., Hansuvadha, N., Pavri, S., & Xu, S. (2018). Teachers for Inclusive, Diverse Urban Settings. Issues in Teacher Education, 27(1), 17-28.
Zacher Pandya, J., Hansuvadha, N., & Pagdilao, K. (2016). Multi-modal digital composition for children with autism: Lessons on process, product, and assessment. Language Arts, 93(6), 415-429.
Hansuvadha, N. & Slater, C. (2012). Culturally competent school leaders: The individual and the system. Educational Forum, 76(2), 174-189.
Hansuvadha, H. & Sramek, H. (March, 2011). Teaching collaboration through person-centered planning. Russian-American Education Forum, 3(1).
Hansuvadha, N. (March, 2011). 鈥淲hat鈥檚 in a name: Critical episodes of an Asian-American teacher educator.鈥 In Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children Knowledge, Skills and Dispositions for Culturally Competent and Inter-culturally Sensitive Leaders in Education Monograph.
Hansuvadha, N. (June, 2011). The power of one team鈥檚 journey towards collaboration: Part II. The Monarch Center: Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education.
Hansuvadha, N. (February, 2011). The power of one team鈥檚 journey towards collaboration: Part I. The Monarch Center: Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education.
Hansuvadha, N. (2009). Compromise in collaborating with families: Perspectives of beginning special education teachers. Journal of Early Childhood Education, 30, 346-362.
Hansuvadha, N., & Sramek, H. (2008). 鈥淗istorical Foundations of SpecialEducation in the United States.鈥 (Russian translation.) In With Hope for theFuture and Faith in Success: Special Education in Russia and the USA. Eds. Kitsul, Natalia, Tatyana Tsyrlina-Spady, Carol Zitzer-Comfort and Nat Hansuvadha. Publishing House of Regional Open Social Institute, Kursk, Russia, 198-209.
Kitsul, N., Tsyrlina-Spady,T., Zitzer-Comfort,C., & Hansuvadha, N. (2008). With Hope for the Future and Faith in Success: Special Education in Russia and the USA. (Eds.) Publishing House of Regional Open Social Institute, Kursk, Russia.
Hansuvadha, H. & Kristin, S. (2025). Building Impactful Special Education Teaching Pathways: Collaborative Partnerships Between CSUs and Community Colleges. Spring Policy Action Network (SPAN): California Council on Teacher Education Conference. March 15, 2025.
Rosenfeld, K., Fioretto, D., Hansuvadha, N. & Stout, Kristin (2025). California Community Colleges to California State Universities: Building Impactful Special Education Teaching Pathways: ACCCTEP Convening. November 8, 2024.
Rosenfeld, K., Hansuvadha, N., & Stout, K. (2025). Launching Special Education Futures: Cerritos College鈥檚 new Career Pathway Starting in Fall 2025. High School Counselors Conference. January 31, 2025.
Hansuvadha, N. & Goings, J. (2024). Imagining New Possibilities in Teacher and Leader Preparation. Education Talk Radio Podcast, American Consortium for Equity in Education January 23, 2024.
Bagwell, J., Flores, C., Juarez, S., & Hansuvadha, H. (2023). Inclusive Principal Leadership in California. Teacher Education Division (TED) Council for Exceptional Children Conference (November 1, 2023).
Hansuvadha, N. & Stout, K. (2023). Seas the Day! Flexible Teacher Preparation Pathways for Special Education. Teacher Education Division (TED) Council for Exceptional Children Conference (November 1, 2023).
Hansuvadha, H. (2023). Integrating CSRP into Course Syllabi and Course Policies. MD传媒入口 Faculty Center. (February 2, 2023; February 25, 2023)
Hansuvadha, H. (2022). Asian Pacific Islander Network Mission, Vision and Initiatives. APIN Association Meeting. MD传媒入口. April 20, 2022. [Invited speaker]
Hayashino, D., Ang, R., Hansuvadha, N., Miram, L., & Kim, B. (2022). AAPI Women and Wellness at the Beach. MD传媒入口. March 14, 2022.
Hansuvadha, N. & Richards-Tutor, C. (2022). Urban Dual Credential Program and University Partnerships. CAIS Meeting, CCTE SPAN Conference. Sacramento, CA. March 7, 2022. [Invited speakers].
Hansuvadha, N., Toews, S., Stoltz, S., & Kemper, T. (2021). MTSS Teacher Educator Pathway Modules. Orange County Department of Education and CEEDAR.
Hansuvadha, N. (2021). Enhancing California Teacher Educators with MTSS Professional Development Online Modules. California Council on Teacher Education. San Diego, CA. October 20, 2021.
Hansuvadha, N. (2021). Anti-Asian Hate Resolution. MD传媒入口 Academic Senate. Unanimously passed March 25, 2021.
Hansuvadha, N. (2021). Conversation with Provost Jerskey. Invited College of Education panelist. MD传媒入口. April 16, 2021.
Hansuvadha, N. (2021). Confronting Anti-Asian Hate. Invited presenter, ASEC Department Meetings, April 12, 2021.
Hansuvadha, N. & Leonard-Giesen (2020). Inclusive Practices in Higher Education. Invited presenters, MD传媒入口 College of Education. February 1, 2020.
Larsen, L., Graf, V., Shneider, N., Hansuvadha, N., & Flores, C. (2019). California Teacher Education Programs Prepare for Inclusive Practices: Opportunities and Challenges. Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children Conference. New Orleans, LA: November 7, 2019.
Hansuvadha, N. & Hagans, K. (2018). Building Capacity for Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Invited presenters at Research to Practice Exchange. MD传媒入口. May 4, 2018.
Hansuvadha, N. & Garcia, A. (2017). Exit opportunities for students with disabilities. Invited presenters at LAUSD School Psychological Services, Central and East District Team Meeting. July 22, 2016.
Hansuvadha, N. (2017). CEEDAR Project: Promoting Improved Outcomes for All Students. Brandman University, Irvine, CA. December 2017.
Hansuvadha, N. & Pavri, S. (2016). Teacher preparation for inclusive schools: A blended general & special education certification program. Accepted presentation at the California Council on Teacher Education Conference. San Jose, CA. April 2015.
Pavri, S. Richards-Tutor,C. & Hansuvadha, N. (2015). Development of a dual licensure program: Preparing candidates to teach all students in urban settings. Accepted presentation at the Teacher Education Conference. Tempe, AZ. November 2015.
Pavri, S., & Hansuvadha, N. (2015). What do administrators look for when hiring beginning special education teachers?: Impact of the changing and legal landscape. Accepted presentation at the Teacher Education Conference. Tempe, AZ. November 2015.
Zacher Pandya, J., Hansuvadha, N., & Pagdilao, K. (2015). Digital Video Composition with Children with Special Needs as Redistributive Social Justice: Javier鈥檚 Case. American Education Research Association (AERA). Chicago, IL.
Hansuvadha, N., Piker, N., Melton, L., Gradin, S., Codd, G., & Parsons, S. (2014). Early Learning Program Showcase. MD传媒入口, Long Beach. August 22, 2014.
Hansuvadha, N., Piker, N., Melton, L., & Parsons, S. (2014). Preparing educators for transitional kindergarten. CSU Chancellor鈥檚 Office, Long Beach. CA. (April 20, 2014).
Hansuvadha, N., & Piker, R. (2014). Infusing Early Learning Foundations in Elementary Teacher Preparation. National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Education (NAECTE). Washington, D.C. (November 20, 2013).
Hansuvadha, N., & Piker, R. (2013). Early Learning Foundation Urban Teacher Fellowship Project; Preliminary Findings of a Constructivist Teacher Pathway. California Council of Teacher Education. San Diego, CA. (October, 2013).
Hansuvadha, N. (2012). Parent Rights & Participation in Special Education: Why It Matters. California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) Conference. Sacramento, CA. March 7-12, 2012).
CSU Center for Transformational Educator Preparation Programs, Advisory Board Member, October 2021-2023.
CSU Liberal Studies Council Member. Fall 2022-present.
CEEDAR (Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform) State Team Member, Fall 2018-present.
Educators Summit Lead, Center to Close the Opportunity Gap (CCOG). Fall 2020-present.
Board of Directors, California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE). Fall 2022-present.
President, California Association of Professors in Special Education (CAPSE/TED). Summer 2022- present.
President, Inclusive Education SIG, California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE). Fall 2022-present.
Advisory Board Member, Long Beach City College Teacher Preparation Advisory Committee, Spring 2023-present.
Advisory Board Member, Faculty Center, MD传媒入口. Fall 2021-present.
Co-Faculty Champion, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), College of Education, MD传媒入口. Fall 2020-present.
