Dr. Nancy Akhavan possesses more than thirty years' experience as an educator and consultant. Her work focuses on student support through literacy instruction and intervention, English Language Development, leadership development, and organizational systems to increase student achievement. An Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at California State University, Fresno, she is the founder of Nancy Akhavan Consulting, Inc. Dr. Akhavan's positions included: bilingual teacher; principal of three schools; and district administrator of a large, urban district for English Language Acquisition (ELA), Math, Social Studies, Science, and World Languages. She also served as Assistant Superintendent Secondary Division in a large urban school district. Dr. Akhavan is recognized for her expertise in teaching literacy practices and has published twelve books that focus on instruction to increase student achievement. She has worked with districts and county offices nationally and internationally to increase student achievement in reading, writing, and in content areas.