Mona Ivey-Soto
Associate Professor
College of Education
Biography
Dr. Mona C. Ivey-Soto is an Associate Professor in the College of Education. Dr. Ivey-Soto joined the College in Fall 2015 after serving as an Assistant Professor of Education for two universities in New York. Dr. Ivey-Soto holds a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from New York University, an M.Ed. from Bank Street College of Education, an MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and a Ph.D. in Special Education and Clinical Sciences from the University of Oregon.
Dr. Ivey-Soto has extensive background as a community engaged scholar in the areas of anti-racist teaching and learning in urban schools economic inequality in communities as well asl trauma sensitive and healing centered pedagogies to address toxic stress for children and families. She is passionate about guiding teacher candidates in their journey as advocates and activists for marginalized communities. Her recent publications, including two book chapters, book forward, peer reviewed articles. She has conducted hundreds of conference presentations, keynote talks and consulted with public and private P-12 schools throughout Tennessee. She is the recipient of a BASIC (Belmont Accelerator for Social Innovation Collaboration) grant with colleagues in social work and community relations providing family engagement, education and the arts in the Edgehill community.
In addition to her role in the academy, Dr. Ivey-Soto started her own grassroots community based organization serving single parents and children living in economically marginalized neighborhoods throughout Nashville. Through community organizing, she provides families with food, clothing, employment & housing resources, parenting classes, and mental health support with the goal of families being able to advocate and sustain themselves holistically. Her community work will become a 501C3 very soon.
She is deeply committed to her Christian faith and attends the multicultural, multidimensional Strong Tower Bible Church in Nashville where she works closely with colleagues and church leadership on the role of Christians in addressing issues of racism and other forms of oppression.