Comfort E Akwaji-Anderson

Principal and Chief Academic Officer
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Session: Equity in STEM? Why don’t we just focus on STEM?
Time: 9 a.m.
Date: Friday, November 4

Bio

Dr. Comfort Akwaji-Anderson is the current Principal and Chief Academic Officer at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, IL.

Prior to transitioning to Principal in May 2020, Dr. Akwaji Anderson was the Dean of Faculty at IMSA. She has more than 27 years of experience in the areas of diverse PK – 20 teaching and learning, mentoring, supervising pre-service and in-service professionals, urban education, administration, curriculum and instruction, and program development both in the United States and abroad.

Former Director of K-12 Curriculum for the Waterloo Community School District, IA. She was a District Mathematics Coach, Mathematics Area Resource Specialist, and Mathematics and Science Coordinator.

Dr. Akwaji-Anderson is a graduate of Iowa State University with a PhD. in Education. She majored in mathematics education /education leadership. Her dissertation titled “Distributed leadership for equity and excellence in mathematics education” reveals her research interest and commitment to access and equity. She works to promote and support this vision in a variety of ways including leveling the playing field for students through the use of effective curriculum materials, strategies, and ongoing professional development of teachers.

Dr. Akwaji-Anderson currently serves and has served on several leadership committees and initiatives at the national or state level :including NCSSS Board of Directors. She has more than 20 years of presenting at national, state and local conferences.