Dr. Mahboobeh Ayatollahzadeh (Dr. Ayat) received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Shiraz University majoring in Educational Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She graduated in 1984 from the University of Akron's Department of Counseling and Special Education, obtaining a Master's of Arts degree majoring in Special Education. In May of 2004 her dissertation, entitled "Emergent Literacy in Iranian Families," earned her a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the Department of Educational and School Psychology. Dr. Ayatollahzadeh has also been an educational consultant for Iranian public and private schools for a number of years. She is the former Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the College of Education, University of Tehran, and a faculty member at the same University as well as a research associate with Iran's Welfare Organization. She has worked with children and young adults in different settings in the United States for the past 10 years. From 1999-2004 she worked for the North East Sullivan School Corporation as the lead psychologist for seven elementary and high schools. From 2004-08 she served as the Principal of the Muslim Community School in Potomac, Maryland. Dr. Ayatollahzadeh has written for numerous publications, in both Persian and English, and has lectured in professional and religious seminars in Iran and the United States. She has also conducted many teacher and parent training sessions for different schools.