Dr. Elham Zandvakili (Dr. EZ) is a humanistic educator, lyricist, music maker, researcher, and yogi with over 20 years of experience teaching language and culture. She is deeply committed to fostering collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking in her learner-centered classrooms. As an adjunct professor and affiliate research scientist at the Gordon Institute for Advanced Study, Dr. EZ combines her passion for education with her dedication to interdisciplinary and holistic approaches to teaching.

Teaching Philosophy

Empowering Learning Through Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking

Dr. EZ’s teaching philosophy is grounded in humanism, a profound respect for the dignity and potential of every learner, and a commitment to fostering environments where students can explore their full capabilities. Her classroom is an inclusive, collaborative space where cognitive, affective, and social learning overlap, allowing students to learn from themselves, their peers, and the community they build together.

Core Tenets of Her Philosophy:

Community-Centered Learning

Dr. EZ views reading, writing, critical thinking, mathematics, music, and dance as languages with a syntax that thrives in a community. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and shared experiences in her classes, where students support and learn from one another.

Critical Thinking as a Framework

Drawing from Aristotle’s critical thinking questions—what, why, how, who, when, where, and what if—she equips students with tools to explore infinite possibilities, fostering intellectual growth and moral reasoning.

Yoga and Music as Educational Tools

Dr. EZ incorporates yoga and music into her teaching to dissolve the barriers between the mental, physical, and spiritual. These practices help students overcome anxieties, trigger positive emotions, and open their minds to creative and cognitive challenges.

Philosophical Foundations in Teaching

Inspired by Wittgenstein’s language games, Dr. EZ connects language learning to joining a community with shared rules and norms.

The Museum of Reincarnation, a concept she developed, encourages students to explore imagination and curiosity, dissolving boundaries between past and present, real and imagined.

Humanistic and Evolving Practice

Dr. EZ’s teaching philosophy reflects her belief in the limitless possibilities of learning. She continually adapts her methods to meet the evolving needs of her students and the world.

Vision and Impact

Dr. EZ empowers students to engage critically with AI and technology, teaching them how to leverage these tools intelligently for cognitive and identity development rather than becoming passive users. She integrates art, music, and imagination to inspire joy in learning and help students connect with their humanity.

Her book, Learning Language the EZ Way, embodies her philosophy, offering readers an unforgettable journey into a world where learning knows no limits. Dr. EZ’s holistic and humanistic approach continues to inspire and transform learners, educators, and communities worldwide.