About Me
Lebanese-American mom of five • UCLA Statistics PhD candidate • Mathematics Instructor
My Journey
Hi, I'm Safaa Dabagh — a Lebanese-American mother, educator, researcher, and lifelong learner.
I came to the United States with my three eldest children, determined to build a new life and create opportunities for my family. Like many immigrants, I started at community college—West Los Angeles College—where dedicated teachers saw my potential and encouraged me to dream bigger.
I transferred to UCLA, where I earned my bachelor's degree in Mathematics/Economics with a minor in Statistics. The experience transformed me. I discovered my passion for statistics and its power to uncover truth in data, tell stories, and inform decisions that affect real people's lives.
After completing my undergraduate degree, I continued at UCLA to earn my master's degree in Statistics and began my PhD. But life had other plans—when I lost my mother, I had to pause my doctoral journey to care for my family and process the grief.
Coming Back Stronger
Now, years later, I'm back and more determined than ever to complete my dissertation. My research focuses on AI-powered cognitive scaffolding for statistics education, with particular attention to students like those I teach every day across multiple institutions—diverse learners who face barriers but have immense potential.
This work is deeply personal. I know what it's like to be underestimated, to struggle, to juggle family and school, to wonder if you belong. My research isn't just academic—it's a mission to create tools that help students overcome obstacles and succeed.
My Family
My five children—Adam, Aya, Abed, Issa, and Zachariah—are my greatest inspiration and the heart of my journey. They've watched me study, struggle, grow, and persist. They've learned that education is a lifelong journey, that setbacks are temporary, and that it's never too late to pursue your dreams.
Raising a large family while teaching full-time and pursuing a PhD is challenging, but it's also taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, time management, patience, and what truly matters. I even run a home coding camp for my youngest two during the summer!
My children are why I do this work. I want them—and all students—to live in a world where quality education is accessible, where AI can help rather than replace human connection, and where every learner has the support they need to thrive.
Teaching Experience
I teach mathematics with a main focus on statistics across multiple institutions. This work grounds my research in reality. I see firsthand the challenges students face—financial stress, work obligations, family responsibilities, imposter syndrome, gaps in preparation.
I also see their incredible determination, creativity, and potential. My students inspire me every day. They're working parents, recent immigrants, first-generation college students, career changers, and dreamers. They deserve educational tools that meet them where they are and help them reach their goals.
Current and Recent Positions
- Santa Monica College (2020-Present): Math 54 (Introductory Statistics) and Math 4/4C (College Algebra)
- West Los Angeles College (Ongoing): Mathematics courses across the curriculum
- Loyola Marymount University (Current): Applied Statistics in Biology
- UCLA: Summer courses in mathematics and statistics
I use technology thoughtfully, connect math to real-world contexts, and create a classroom culture where mistakes are learning opportunities and every question is valued. Teaching across different institutional contexts gives me unique insight into how diverse student populations learn statistics.
My Values
Educational Equity
Quality education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of income, background, or circumstances. Technology should reduce, not amplify, educational inequalities.
Lifelong Learning
I'm a perpetual student. Whether it's statistics, AI, pedagogy, or parenting—I believe growth never stops. My AI in Education journey is one example.
Research for Good
Academic research should serve the public good. My dissertation creates both knowledge and a free platform that helps real students learn statistics.
Compassion
Behind every data point is a human being. I lead with empathy, whether teaching students, designing AI systems, or raising children.
Beyond Academics
When I'm not teaching, researching, or parenting, I'm probably:
- Reading about educational technology and learning sciences
- Experimenting with AI tools and thinking about their pedagogical applications
- Planning activities for Mommy Coding Camp
- Cooking for my family (feeding seven people is its own optimization problem!)
- Connecting with other community college educators and researchers
What Drives Me
I see myself as a bridge-builder:
- Between research and practice: Using scholarly work to improve real classrooms
- Between technology and humanity: Leveraging AI while centering human needs
- Between institutions: Studying how context shapes learning across community colleges, universities, and beyond
- Between theory and reality: Translating learning sciences into tools that actually work for diverse students
My unique perspective—as an immigrant, mother, community college student-turned-professor, and PhD researcher—allows me to see problems and solutions others might miss.
Let's Connect
I love connecting with fellow educators, researchers, students, and anyone passionate about improving education through technology.