Neelo Soltanzadeh is the Program Associate for the NextGenScience project in the Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics program at WestEd.
Soltanzadeh will continue her work to improve science standards in order to help ensure all students have access to a high-quality, rigorous, engaging science education. Her work supports district and agency leaders establish a clear vision, implement, and evaluate equitable science education programs. Additionally, Soltanzadeh connects educators to resources so they can better understand and evaluate NGSS design, access high-quality NGSS units, and utilize assessment resources through the management and dissemination of publicly available tools housed on the official website for the NGSS.
Prior to joining WestEd, Soltanzadeh supported NGSS and STEM-related initiatives as part of the Science team at Achieve, an independent nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving science standards implementation. Through the design and implementation of NGSS professional learning
Soltanzadeh’s work is focused on designing and implementing the NGSS and creating comprehensive professional learning to improve educational equity for all students, particularly English language learners and middle school students.
Soltanzadeh’s extensive background in improving science standards implementation is also informed by her years of teaching life and physical sciences in the 7th and 8th grades. Some of her key involvements include designing a professional development on the academic success of English language learners, and the implementation of the NGSS in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools 8th grade science curriculum.
Soltanzadeh received her B.S in Biological Sciences and her Master of Art in Teaching from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.