Chidinma (Amadi) Ojiaku

Affiliation

Georgia State University

Track

Biography

I am an experienced educator and advocate for multilingual and inclusive education, with over a decade of experience working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students. My passion lies in advancing equitable educational opportunities, particularly for Immigrant Deaf Multilingual Learners (IDMLs). Throughout my career, I have been involved in teaching, curriculum development, and managing educational programs that bridge linguistic and cultural gaps in diverse classrooms. As a doctoral candidate at Georgia State University, my research focuses on exploring teachers’ perceptions of home language maintenance (HLM) for IDMLs in K-12 classrooms. My work is guided by theoretical frameworks such as multilingualism, intersectionality, and acculturation, emphasizing the importance of integrating home languages into instruction to support language acquisition, cultural identity, and academic success. I am deeply committed to creating systemic change in education, particularly in Africa, where I aspire to enhance education systems for deaf children. In the U.S., I collaborate with educators and researchers to address the unique challenges faced by immigrant DHH students, promoting culturally responsive teaching practices that affirm students' linguistic and cultural heritage. My dedication to fostering inclusive environments stems from a vision of a world where every child, regardless of their background, can thrive academically and socially in a supportive educational setting. Through my work, I aim to empower educators and communities to embrace diversity and equity in education.