Associate Dean and Professor
- EdD University of San Diego, Leadership Studies; Specialization: Character Education
- MA University of Hawai'i, East Asian Languages and Literature: Linguistics, Second Language Pedagogy
- BA University of Hawai'i, East Asian Languages and Literature: Japanese; Minor: Comparative Religions
Dr. Sarina Chugani Molina serves as Associate Dean and Professor of Education in the Department of Learning and Teaching at the University of San Diego. Over the course of her 25-year career as a language teacher and teacher educator, she has had the opportunity to work alongside multilingual users of English in diverse public, private, and community settings, where she gained direct insight into the unique needs of her students many of whom were from international, transnational, refugee, immigrant and migrant backgrounds. Her research leans into the exploration of justice-oriented pedagogy within the field of language education, drawing upon constructive–developmental, sociocultural and postcolonial/decolonial theories as well as contemplative, mindful, and conscious education grounded in the nexus of science & spirituality. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and books on language education, teacher learning, values-based education and human development, and has presented her research and facilitated workshops in close to 50 local and global conferences.
Her research interests include:
1) critical language studies and language pedagogy utilizing a de-colonial/postcolonial lens;
2) transnational language teacher identity
3) English language teacher development and feedback practice through responsive mediation drawing on constructive-developmental and sociocultural theoretical lenses;
4) contemplative, mindful, and conscious education grounded in spirituality and indigenous wisdom traditions.
She has authored several books on working with multilingual users of English based on socioculturally salient pedagogical practice, textbooks on English language teaching, and co-authored books on the Politics of English Language Education and Social Inequality (2023), Family, School, Community Engagement and Partnerships (2017), and The Inner Journey of Educators (2024) with colleagues.
She is currently under contract with Routledge/Taylor & Francis on a book entitled, Decolonizing English language education: Becoming a critically conscious educator.
She has also published numerous articles in the areas of language education, lesson study, action research, and teacher development from constructive-developmental, sociocultural, ecological and critical perspectives.
Areas of Expertise
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Critical Language Studies, Raciolinguistics, Teacher Transformation, Spirituality & Education
Scholarly Work
(Link to recent publications)
Santhanam, B., Naidu, S., & Molina, S. (2024). The inner journey of educators. SSS University for Human Excellence, Karnataka, India. ISBN Number: 978-81-959833-2-2
Molina, S. C. (2024). Theorizing a humanizing pedagogy of love. Awareness: New Horizons in Human Excellence, 1(1), 27-29.
Jiminez-Luque, A., Molina, S. C., & Martinez, R. (2023). Transforming organizational culture & enacting social justice in praxis through the decolonization of cultural artifacts in higher education spaces. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Leadership Studies, 4(4), 8-30. http://johepal.com/article-1-527-en.html
Kalyanpur, M. Boruah, P., Molina, S. C. & Shenoy, S. (2023) English language education and education for all: Social inequality and schooling challenges in the Indian context. Routledge, English language education and social inequality.
Molina S. C. (2022). Reducing colonial harm in language teaching: A guide to critical self-reflective practices for language teachers. CATESOL Journal Special-Themed Issue: Anti-racist Perspectives, Practices, and Policies in TESOL, 33 (1).
Molina, S. C. (2021). Examining global Englishes and the decolonization of English language teaching in a post-colonial context. In A. F. Selvi & B. Yazan (Eds.) Language Teacher Education for Global Englishes: A practical resource book (pp.256-264). Routledge Advances in Teaching English as an International Language Series.
Molina, S. C. (2021). Growing emerging researchers in a TESOL teacher education program: Implications for feedback practice. CATESOL Journal, 32 (1), 145-159.
Molina, S. C. (2020). “I’m from foreign”: Reconstructing transnational identity and positionality as an ESOL educator. In S. Canagarajah, B. Yazan & R. Jain (Eds.) Transnational Identities, Pedagogies, and Practices in English Language Teaching: Critical Inquiries from Diverse Practitioners. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Molina, S. C. (2020). Creating authentic contexts for transnational language learning and teaching in TESOL teacher education: Online ELT for Kenyan youth. In A. Ahmed & O. B. Barnawi (Eds.). TESOL Teacher Education for a Transnational World. Routledge.
Conferences and Presentations
(Link to recent presentations)
Molina, S. C. (2024, October). Religious literacy as a peace building initiative in higher education. American Association of Colleges & Universities Conference on Global Learning. Washington, DC.
Molina, S. C. (2024, October). The inner journey of educators: Teaching for transformation. The National Conference on Spirituality in Education. Teacher's College, New York, NY.
Molina, S. C. (2023, June). The role of teachers in nurturing empathy in students. Global Education Conference, Bangalore, India.
Kalyanpur, M., Boruah, P., Molina, S. C., & Shenoy, S. (2023, April 13-16). English language education and students from low-income income backgrounds in the Indian context: Service or Disservice? Annual Education Research Association Conference, Chicago, IL.
Molina, S. C. (2023, March 22-24). Decolonizing the English language classroom: A guide to self-reflexive classrooms. International TESOL Convention & English Language Expo, Portland, OR.
Molina, S. C. (2023, February). English as a medium of instruction: Critical considerations for pedagogical practice. San Diego, CA. Presented at the University of San Diego to 37 professors from Tec de Monterrey.
Molina, S. C. (2023, January). Leading with love, hope, and understanding is the need of the hour. Future Superintendent’s Institute, San Diego, CA.
Molina, S. C. (2022, October 22). Critical self-reflective practices to reduce harm in the English language classroom. Florida SSTESOL Conference, Live, Online.
Jimenez-Luque, A. & Molina, S.C. (2022, October). Transforming cultural artifacts in higher education: Unfolding wisdom from DEI and decolonial initiatives. International Leadership Association, International Leadership Association, Live Online.
Molina, S.C. (2022, October 1). Reimagining diversity, equity, and inclusion in English language education.CATESOL Conference, Pasadena, CA.
Packer, Emily & Molina, S.C. (2022, October). Japanese lesson study to improve instruction practice: TESOL practicum course. CATESOL Conference, Pasadena, CA.
Molina, S. C. (2022, July). The role of spirituality & indigenous wisdoms in addressing global challenges: A way forward. Global Conference on Uniting Religions through Spiritual Wisdom, Bangalore, India.
Molina, S. C. (2020, March). Culturally responsive pedagogy. Marist Brothers International School, Kobe, Japan.