Dylan Burton
Postdoctoral Researcher, Educational Psychology

Burton recently completed his Ph.D. in Second Language Studies from Michigan State University. His academic background also includes an M.A. in Language Testing from Lancaster University, England.

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What are the areas of your scholarship?

My research interests primarily revolve around language testing and assessment and the psycholinguistic processes involved when perceiving and scoring second-language speech. I also have research interests in nonverbal behavior and its role in second-language communication. Before doing my graduate studies, I spent much of my career working abroad in Spain, China, and Japan, where I was involved with areas of language education, language assessment, and other stakeholder engagement initiatives.

Sara Saez Fajardo
Postdoctoral Researcher, Educational Psychology

Saez Fajardo holds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an M.A. in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language from the University of Salamanca (Spain).

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 What are the areas of your scholarship?

My research is focused on language teaching and assessment for heritage speakers and second language learners, focusing on what practices prove most equitable for both groups of learners.

Oliver Tapaha
Postdoctoral Scholar, Education Policy, Organization & Leadership

 Tapaha completed his Ph.D. and Ed.M. in Education from Oregon State University and earned his B.A. in Sociology and Elementary Education from Arizona State University.

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Tell us about your background and professional experience.

I am an enrolled citizen of the Diné/Navajo tribe from northeastern Arizona and an Illinois Distinguished Postdoctoral Scholar. I have also completed all coursework for a principal certificate through the First Americans’ Educational Leadership program at the University of North Carolina, Pembroke. I have 18 years of teaching and administrative experience in P-12 tribal and higher education systems.

What are the areas of your scholarship?

My research is focused on Indigenous knowledge systems, Indigenous leadership, and Indigenous teacher education. My primary interest is researching Indigenous educators’ lived experiences and how educators’ narrative constructions influence their teaching and leadership practices in the Indigenous education context.