Education
Ph.D. Curriculum & Instruction (Multilingual Studies/Early Childhood Education), The University of Texas at Austin, 1998
Biography
Dr. Mari Riojas-Cortez is Professor and Chair of the Early Childhood Studies Program at California State University—Channel Islands. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education and Multilingual Studies (bilingual education). Her research focuses on Latino family engagement (in early childhood contexts), young children’s play in early childhood dual language settings, and early childhood teacher education. Dr. Riojas-Cortez has published in major journals including the International Journal of Early Childhood, Journal of Early Childhood Research, the Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, the Bilingual Research Journal, and Young Children, among others. She is co-author of the book Families as Partners in Education: Families and Schools Working Together (10th edition) and editor of the books Keeping up with the Times: Diversity and Inclusion in Early Childhood Teacher Education Programs and Diversifying Pedagogy in Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Programs published by Rowman & Littlefield. Dr. Riojas-Cortez experience with early childhood settings began at the Harlandale Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas as a prekindergarten bilingual teacher. She has been an early childhood educator for 30 years and has worked and served in the early childhood field in different capacities. Dr. Riojas-Cortez received the Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher Educator Award in 2019 by the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators and selected as Exchange Leader by the Exchange Leadership Initiative sponsored by Childcare Exchange for her contributions to the field of early childhood education. She served as the editor for Dimensions of Early Childhood Journal for seven years. Currently, Dr. Riojas-Cortez serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education and the Early Childhood Education Journal.
Representative Courses Taught
- ECS 221 Child, Family & Community In CA
- ECS 456 Family & Community Engagement
- ECS 471 Preschool/Primary Student Teaching Seminar
- ECS 471 Preschool/Primary Student Teaching
Scholarship
Keywords
Early Childhood Education for Dual Language Learners, Latino Family Partnerships, Children's Play in Dual Language Settings, Early Childhood Teacher Education