Dr. Toya Abrams has worked in public education in Arizona for over 23 years. Starting as a teacher of a variety of grades and then moving on to a teacher mentor, interventionist, instructional coach, director and then school principal, Dr. Abrams is passionate about leading others to success.
Having also previously taught and created curriculum for multiple colleges and universities, Dr. Abrams notably worked as a Clinical Professor and Site Administrator for ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College for over eight years. In these roles, Dr. Abrams created and taught courses related to teacher development, subject matter content areas, while also coaching, evaluating and supporting senior year students completing year-long field experience student teaching as part of the iTeachAZ program in various Arizona school districts.
Additionally, Dr. Abrams had the honor of serving in all developmental roles to start-up and open a fully accredited online K-12 school in the state of Arizona. In addition to being the founder and principal of the school, Dr. Abrams simultaneously served as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Federal Programs, leading many innovative and exceptional student-centered advocacies in a school district here in Arizona.
Dr. Abrams initially started with ASU Prep Digital as one of the Digital High School Principals and transitioned into the proud Digital Middle School Principal over a year ago.
Dr. Abrams loves to help others learn but is always learning herself! She has earned undergraduate degrees in merchandising and sociology, three master’s degrees (elementary education with teacher certification, educational leadership with principal certification and sociology). Additionally, Dr. Abrams spent two years as a second language learner herself pursuing a diploma in Spanish as an exchange student in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Dr. Abrams completed her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Innovation here at ASU, dedicating her action research to a deeper examination of the social sciences in education, focusing specifically on building professional identity through personalized learning experiences with an emphasis on how high-quality educational experiences impact achievement.
Originally from South Louisiana, Dr. Abrams loves to be around happy people and laugh as much as possible. She currently lives in Arizona, in the Carefree Foothills area with her husband, 13-year-old theater-obsessed daughter and LOTS of pets!
