Biography and education
Ph. D. 2003 The University of Texas at Austin
Curriculum and Instruction Specialization in Literacy
“The Authoring of Self: Looking at Preservice Teachers’ Professional Identities as Reflected in an Online Environment”
M. Ed. 1996 The University of Texas at Austin
Curriculum and Instruction with Reading Major
B. A. 1988 University of San Diego Bachelor of Arts in Diversified Liberal Arts and K-8 Teaching Certification
CERTIFICATIONS
California Elementary Education PK thru 8 (Lifetime certificate obtained in 1988)
Texas Elementary Education Self-Contained Grades PK-6th (Lifetime certificate obtained 1988)
Texas Reading Specialist Grades PK-12 (Lifetime certificate obtained in 1995)
Texas ESL Education PK-6 (Lifetime certification obtained in 1995)
Curriculum and Instruction Specialization in Literacy
“The Authoring of Self: Looking at Preservice Teachers’ Professional Identities as Reflected in an Online Environment”
M. Ed. 1996 The University of Texas at Austin
Curriculum and Instruction with Reading Major
B. A. 1988 University of San Diego Bachelor of Arts in Diversified Liberal Arts and K-8 Teaching Certification
CERTIFICATIONS
California Elementary Education PK thru 8 (Lifetime certificate obtained in 1988)
Texas Elementary Education Self-Contained Grades PK-6th (Lifetime certificate obtained 1988)
Texas Reading Specialist Grades PK-12 (Lifetime certificate obtained in 1995)
Texas ESL Education PK-6 (Lifetime certification obtained in 1995)
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured grants
- Justice, Sean Bradley (Principal), Assaf, Lori Czop (Co-Principal), Kinard, Timothy A (Supporting), Martínez Hinestroza, José (Supporting), Veech, Joseph A (Supporting), Close, Hunter G (Supporting), Burke, Quinn (Supporting). EPK-2: Exploring PK-2 Teachers' Abilities to Identify CT Precursors and Implement Learning Activities that Strengthen Computer Science in Early Childhood Classrooms, National Science Foundation, Federal, $450000. (Submitted: November 2019, Funded: September 2020 - August 2023). Grant.
- Assaf, Lori Czop (Principal), Hooper, R. (Co-Principal), Stephens, L. (Co-Principal). College Ready Writers Program Advanced Institute, Department of Education through National Writing Project, $20000. (Funded: 2016). Grant.
- Assaf, Lori (Principal), Lopez, Minda (Principal), Reed, Jason (Principal). Texas State University Equity and Access Grant: George Ancona: Pioneer Mexican American Photographer and Author, Institutional (Higher Ed), $4100. (Funded: 2010). Grant.
- Assaf, Lori Czop, King, Jeffry Todd. Continuous Improvement: Supporting Teacher Candidates' Certification Exam Prep, Charles Butt Foundation, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $5000. (Funded: January 15, 2025 - Present). Grant.
- Assaf, Lori Czop (Principal), King, Jeffry Todd (Co-Principal). Charles Butt Full Partnership Addendum- 4 new programs added to Charles Butt Scholarship, Charles Butt Foundation, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $24000. (Submitted: June 15, 2024, Funded: September 15, 2024 - April 15, 2025). Grant.

Featured scholarly/creative works
- Justice, S. B., & Assaf, L. C. (2024). Expressive STEM Storymaking: Art, Literacy, and Creative Computing. In Intersections and Thresholds of STEAM Education (pp. 210–226). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004714748_014
- Assaf, L. C., & Justice, S. B. (2024). Asset-Based Computational Thinking in Early Childhood Classrooms: Centering Students’ Expertise in a Community of Learners. Early Childhood Education Journal. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1007/s10643-024-01825-3
- Assaf, L. C., O’Donnell Lussier, K., & Hoff, M. (2022). Community Mapping in One Rural Community in South Africa: Teacher Candidates Grapple With Colonizing Influences on Language and Literacy. In Advances in Research on Teaching (pp. 139–154). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/s1479-368720220000039009
- Assaf, L. C., Sowa, P., & Zammet, K. (2022). Global Meaning Making: Disrupting and Interrogating International Literacy Research and Teaching Edited Book (Advances in Research on Teaching., Vol. 39). U.S.A: Emerald. Retrieved from https://bookstore.emerald.com/global-meaning-making.html
- Hoff, M., Lussier, K. O., & Assaf, L. C. (2021). Balancing in a Whirlwind: The Influence of International Service-Learning on Preservice Teachers’ Movement Towards Humanizing Pedagogy. Information Publishing.
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Presidential Distinction Award for College Achievement, 2021, Texas State University. August 24, 2021
- Award / Honor Recipient: Fulbright Specialist, Fulbright. June 1, 2016 - June 1, 2021
- Award / Honor Recipient: Alpha Chi Favorite Professors for Spring (2021), Alpha Chi. May 1, 2021 - May 25, 2021
- Award / Honor Recipient: Developmental Leave Year Long Supplemental Award, Texas State University. September 1, 2019 - June 1, 2020
- Award / Honor Recipient: International Research Accelerator, Texas State University. August 26, 2019 - June 1, 2020

Featured service activities
- Member
University Curriculum Committee
- Member
College Curriculum Committee
- Member
Charles Butt Scholarship Review Committee
- Member
Accelerated Alternative Certification Planning Committee
- Member
University Arts Committee
- Member
Teacher Education Council Member