Faculty/Staff Directory
Dr. Karen Ochoa
Assistant Professor
Credentials: PHD
| Office Hours: | By appointment |
| Locations: (Campus & Office) |
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| Biography: | Dr. Karen Ochoa is an Assistant Professor of Education and the Assessment Coordinator for Teacher Education at Middle Georgia State University. She supports continuous program improvement through assessment design, data analysis, and alignment of key assessments and coursework to Georgia standards and professional expectations. Dr. Ochoa brings experience as an assistant principal, instructional coach, and classroom teacher across K–8 settings, including gifted and STEM-focused instruction. She has also served on a Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) task force focused on developing AI educator endorsement rules for the state of Georgia. Her work centers on curriculum and assessment, effective instructional practice, teacher preparation, and responsible technology integration. Prior to joining MGA, Dr. Ochoa served as an Assistant Principal of Student Services and as a STEM instructional coach, where she led professional learning in classroom management, restorative practices, and testing coordination. She has experience as an elementary teacher, gifted reading teacher, and gifted/talented educator, with a longstanding commitment to rigorous instruction, equity, and student-centered learning environments. |
| Syllabi: |
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| Teaching and Research Interests: | • Assessment validity, reliability, and data integrity in educator preparation programs • Program evaluation and continuous improvement systems • Curriculum alignment (Georgia TAPS and state standards) and assessment literacy • Literacy instruction (including disciplinary literacy) and candidate readiness • Inclusive practices for diverse learners (ELL, students with disabilities, gifted learners) • Responsible use of AI and educational technology to support teaching, learning, and assessment |
| Courses: | • Foundations of Curriculum and Assessment • Integrated Secondary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment • Teaching Math in Grades P–2 • Teaching Math in Grades 3–5 • Practicum I – Field • Practicum II – Field • Clinical – Field • Clinical II – Field • Methods of Teaching and Assessment (graduate) • Multiple Literacy (graduate) |
| Education: (All institutions attended and degrees or credentials earned) | • Ph.D., Educational Research, The University of Southern Mississippi (2021) • Ed.S., Educational Leadership, The University of Southern Mississippi (2015) • M.A., Elementary Education, William Carey University (2009) • B.S., Pre-Law / Legal Studies, University of West Florida (2005) |
| Professional Experience: | Dr. Ochoa currently serves as Assistant Professor of Education and Assessment Coordinator of Teacher Education at Middle Georgia State University. She leads the development and implementation of key assessment procedures, supports program data analysis, and helps faculty strengthen alignment and continuous improvement efforts. Previously, she served as Assistant Principal of Student Services at Gulf Coast Charter Academy (K–8), where she led discipline policy revisions, restorative practices, and testing coordination. She has also worked as a STEM instructional coach, elementary gifted reading teacher, elementary teacher, and gifted/talented educator, and has led team and committee work focused on STEM integration, teacher leadership, and school improvement. |
| Publications and Scholarships: (Last 5 Years) | • Amerson, R., Biek, D., Cole, W., & Ochoa, K. (2024, October). Lighting the Way through the IGNITE Residency Program. Presented at the Southeastern Association of School-University Partnerships Conference. • Fox, B., & Ochoa, K. (2023, October). Leveraging Mathematics and ELAR as an Integrative Force for Developing Acts of Advocacy in Aspiring Educators. Presented at the Georgia Association of Teacher Educators annual conference. |
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