Daniel Soodjinda, Ed.D.'s Page

Profile Information

School / Work Affiliation: University of the District of Columbia - Department of Education

About Me: I am a recent Doctoral graduate from the School of Education at the University of Southern California and a current full time faculty member at the University of the District of Columbia in the Department of Education. I have been employed as an adjunct faculty member at Westwood for almost 4 years now, and have enjoyed the online teaching experience and specifically instructing this class.

I have had excellent opportunities to teach a variety of post-secondary courses ranging from a college business course at the University of Southern California, to an online research methodology and teacher education classes class at Loyola Marymount University. I have also been employed as a mathematics teacher for a continuation high school in Fontana, CA, and as a science and mathematics junior high teacher in South Central Los Angeles. Each of these teaching experiences involved working with students from diverse backgrounds, and taught me the importance of applying theory to pedagogical practices.

My work in diverse classrooms inspired my dissertation research. My study, "The effects of cultural values, socioeconomic origins, and job responsibility, on the success of Southeast Asian students", examines the role that cultural values of education play in determining the success of a minority group that has been underprivileged and misunderstood. Currently I am in the process of developing my dissertation into a journal article, and am working on a project in urban education reform through a critical examination of financial aid and access, and the effective parameters of academic outreach programs.

With a focus that values and respects all individuals, I believe I can share my experiences and background to impart the responsibilities educators have in serving students regardless of background.