Maria Hantzopoulos is Professor of Education at Vassar College, where she is the coordinator of the Adolescent Education Certification Program and a participating faculty member in the programs in International Studies; Media Studies; Urban Studies; Women, Feminist, and Queer Studies; and the Forced Migration Committee. She is also the former Faculty Director for Teaching Development and former chair of the Education Department.
Maria is the author of four books, and her work has appeared in a variety of peer reviewed journals. Her main research interests include school culture and climate, project-based assessment, peace and human rights education, migration and education, and social studies curricula (with attention to ethnic studies and culturally-relevant approaches). Her research has been supported by the Spencer Foundation, the British Council, the Social Science Research Council, and other grants. She is also the editor, with Dr. Monisha Bajaj, of a book series in Peace and Human Rights Education with Bloomsbury.
As a community-engaged scholar and practitioner, Maria regularly conducts professional development for educators both locally and globally. She is also active in writing curriculum for schools, NGOs, youth organizations, and professional educator organizations. She also taught and worked in New York City public schools for 13 years.
She earned her doctorate in International Education Development (specialization in peace education) and her Master’s degree in Social Studies Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She also holds her Bachelor’s Degree in History with a minor in Spanish Language and Literature from Boston University.
Maria Hantzopoulos 