About

Debbie Zacarian, Ed.D. & Associates, LLC is a woman-owned consulting business specializing in policy and practice, strategic planning, evaluation, coaching, innovation, and professional development for educators and professionals working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Our ‘credo’ is achievement through access, equity, and engagement. Our mission is to provide expertise to school districts, state and federal education agencies, professional and research organizations, universities, and others seeking sustained solutions to strengthen achievement and outcomes.

Debbie Zacarian

Dr. Debbie Zacarian is a recognized expert in strengths-based leadership, inclusive education, and policy design that champions equity for all learners. With a rich background that includes advanced degrees in clinical psychology and educational policy—and over 30 years of experience as a district administrator, university professor, and leader of an educational service agency—she brings a strong foundation of scholarship and research to every aspect of her work. As the founder of Zacarian & Associates, she partners with schools, universities, and organizations around the world, delivering keynotes, workshops, mentoring, and consulting that spark real transformation.

Widely respected for her innovative thinking and practical impact, Dr. Zacarian has authored numerous best-selling books, influential journal articles, and forward-thinking policies. Her work is grounded in the belief that every learner—especially multilingual students and those facing adversity—deserves not only equitable opportunities, but a sense of connection, purpose, and respect. Through her writing and speaking, she equips educators and leaders with the tools and insights they need to build inclusive learning environments where all students can grow, contribute, and flourish.

Her professional books include:

• Identity Safe Spaces at Home and Schools: Partnering to Overcome Inequity (co-written with Becki Cohn-Vargas)
• Transforming Schools for Multilingual Learners: A Comprehensive Guide for Educators, 2nd edition
• Beyond Crises: Overcoming Linguistic and Cultural Inequities in Communities, Schools, and Classrooms (co-written with Margarita Espino Calderón, and Margo Gottlieb)
• Responsive Schooling for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (co-written with Ivannia Soto)
• Teaching to Empower: Taking Action to Foster Student Agency, Self-Confidence, and Collaboration (co-written with Michael Silverstone)
• Teaching and Supporting Students Living with Adversity.  Quick Reference Guide.  (co-written with Lourdes Alvarez-Ortiz)
• Breaking Down the Wall: Essential Shifts in for English Learners’ Success (co-written with Margarita Espino Calderón, Maria G. Dove, Diane Staehr Fenner, Margo Gottlieb, Andrea Honigsfeld, Tonya Ward Singer, Shawn Slakk, and Ivannia Soto)
• Teaching To Strengths: Supporting Students Living With Trauma, Violence & Chronic Stress (co-written with Lourdes-Alvarez-Ortiz and Judie Haynes)
• In It Together: How partnerships with students, families, and communities advance engagement and achievement in diverse classrooms (co-written with Michael Silverstone)
• Mastering Academic Language: a framework for supporting student achievement
• The Essential Guide for Educating Beginning English Learners (co-written with Judie Haynes)
• Transforming Schools for English learners: a comprehensive framework for school leaders
• Teaching English Language Learners Across the Content Areas (co-written with Judie Haynes)

An expert in policies and practices, Dr. Zacarian:

• • Was a consultant for the Massachusetts Parent Information Resource Center and Federation for Children with Special Needs

• • Wrote Serving English Learners: laws, policies and regulations, a user-friendly guide about US federal laws for Colorín Colorado

• • Wrote the Boston Public Schools’ policies for English learners as well as  policies for many urban, suburban, and rural school districts

• • Co-wrote the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care’s policies for dual language learners

  • Served as a consultant with the Kindergarten Entry Assessment Advisory Committee of the Delaware Governor’s Office, Children’s Department, and Office of Education

For over a decade, Dr. Zacarian served on the faculty of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She was also the founder and director of the Center for English Language Education and Advancing Student Achievement at the Collaborative for Educational Services and the founding director of Amherst Public Schools bilingual and English learner program where she and the district received many local, state, and national honors for its work with multilingual learners.