Taniesha A. Woods, Ph.D.
Taniesha A. Woods, Ph.D., is the director of chapter programming and research at Say Yes to Education, Inc. (Say Yes). A theme throughout her career has been studying issues related to educational equity. In Dr. Woods’s role, she is developing a program of research that examines the academic, social, and emotional supports that students and their families need so that students are ready for and successful in the K–12 grades, college, and life. She also works with the Say Yes chapters using applied research to inform high-quality programming aimed at fostering scholars’ academic achievement and overall well-being. Dr. Woods’s early research investigated how the psychological aspects of education -- parental socialization practices, stereotype beliefs, and identify development-- were related to academic outcomes for African American children and youth. Prior to joining Say Yes, Woods served as a Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) – American Association for the Advancement of Science Congressional fellow on the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee where her portfolio included K – 12 and higher education issues. Woods has also worked as a study director at the National Research Council where she co-edited the book-length report, Mathematics Learning in Early Childhood: Paths toward Excellence and Equity. Most recently, Woods was a senior research associate at Columbia University's National Center for Children in Poverty where she led action research projects on early childhood education and policy in the areas of mathematics education, teacher professional development, and community-wide education initiatives.
Dr. Woods serves on the SRCD Policy & Communications Committee and is a math curriculum advisor for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting/Public Broadcasting Service. Woods holds a PhD and MA degrees in developmental psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a BA in psychology and African and African American Studies from the University of Oklahoma. Taniesha is committed to conducting research and developing programs that inform and promote high-quality teaching and learning outcomes for educators and children from all backgrounds with a special focus on those from vulnerable populations.