Professor
Department of Educational Foundations & Leadership

Karen Sanzo

757-683-6698

2323 EDUCATION BUILDING
NORFOLK, 23529

Dr. Sanzo is the Director of the Institute for Design Thinking and Leadership Development. She is also the Director of the ODU Brooks Crossing Innovation Lab and a Professor of Educational Leadership.

Ed.D. in Education Administration and Policy Studies, The George Washington University, (2006)

M.A. in Education and Human Development, The George Washington University, (2000)

B.A. in History and Elementary Education, The College of William & Mary, (1998)

Pk-12 Administration and Supervision
Sponsoring Organization: Virginia Department of Education
Date Obtained: 2001-01-01
Pk-8 Education
Sponsoring Organization: Virginia Department of Education
Date Obtained: 1998-01-01

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

Sanzo, K. L. and Myran, C. M. "Partnership for School Leadership Preparation and Training School Leadership Grant Program, U.S. Department of Education" $2,540,000. Federal. September 2010 - September 2015
Sanzo, K. L. "GEAR Up. Federal. September 2008 - August 2014
Sanzo, K. L. and Myran, S. "The Generational Educators Network (Gen) Futures Program" $801,970. Federal. September 2008 - July 2013
Sanzo, K. L. and Myran, S. "The Generational Educators Network (GEN) Futures Program (GEN “F”), Supplemental Award" $146,000. Federal. September 2009 - September 2012
Sanzo, K. L., Myran, S., Steckroth, J. J. and Doviak, S. "Teaching and Leading for a Quality Mathematics Learning Environment" $150,000. State. August 2009 - September 2010
Sanzo, K. L. and Myran, S. "Data-Based Leadership: Transforming Educational Practices" $241,889. Private. -
Sanzo, K. L. and Grothaus, T. J.P.. "The Multicultural Awareness and Sensitivity (MAST) Program" $9,999. State. -
Sanzo, K. L. and Sherman, W. H. "Best Practices of Successful School Principals" $10,000. State. -
Sanzo, K. L. and Sherman, W. H. "Learning in Leadership Education: A Comparison of Face-to-Face and On-Line Delivery Formats" $40,000. Private. -
Sanzo, K. L. "An Evaluation of Leadership Preparation Programs" $6,000. Old Dominion University. -
Sanzo, K. L., Owings, W., Schaffer, P., Sherman, W. H. and Leary, P. "Virginia Department of Education Leadership Grant" $100,000. State. -
Sanzo, K. L. "Leadership Best Practices" $6,000. Old Dominion University. -

Expertise

School Leadership Preparation and Development
Formative Assessment
Data-based Decision-making
Women Leaders

Research Interests

Innovation in Education
Design Thinking
Improvement Science
Leadership for School Improvement
Leadership Preparation and Development

Articles

Clayton, J., Sanzo, K. L. and Myran, S. (2012). Transformative impact of the mentor/mentee relationship on district leaders and aspiring leaders. Journal of Research on Leadership Education.
Myran, S., Sanzo, K. L. and Clayton, J. (2012). Building the Foundation for Data-Based Decision Making In A School/University Leadership Preparation Partnership . NCPEA, Education Leadership Review.
Sanzo, K. L., Myran, S. and Clayton, J. (2011). Building Bridges between Knowledge and Practice: A University-School District Leadership Preparation Program Partnership. Journal of Educational Administration 49 (3) , pp. 292-312.
Myran, S., Sanzo, K. L. and Clayton, J. (2011). Tracing the Development of a Rural University-District Partnership: Four Pillars Necessary for Continued Success . Journal of School Leadership 21 (5).
Sanzo, K. L., Clayton, J. and Sherman, W. H. (2011). Students with Special Needs, Reading Education, and Principals: Bridging the Divide through Instructional Leadership. International Journal of Educational Leadership Preparation 6 (1).
Myran, S., Sanzo, K. L. and Clayton, J. (2010). Four Pillars of Effective University-School District Partnerships: Implications for Educational Planning. Educational Planning 19 (2) , pp. 46-60.
Sherman, Sanzo, K. L., Beaty and Myran, S. Perspectives on Distance Technology in Leadership Education: Transfer, Meaning, and Change. Journal of Research on Leadership Education.
Grothaus, T. J.P.., Sanzo, K. L. and James, A. (2010). Effective Leadership in a Culturally Diverse Learning Environment. International Journal of Urban Educational Leadership.
Sherman, W. H. and Sanzo, K. L. Designing the Internship as a Transformative Tool for Improved Practice in Educational Leadership. International Journal of Educational Reform.
Clayton, J., Sanzo, K. L. and Rhett, A. T . Segregation and Poverty: Impacts on Reading Achievement and Leadership Implications. International Journal of Urban Educational Leadership.
Sanzo, K. L., Grothaus, T. J.P.. and Myran, S. (2009). Building the Foundation for Data-Based Decision Making: Consensus on Language and Concepts. International Electronic Journal for Leadering in Learning.
Sanzo, K. L. and Sherman, W. H. (2008). Facilitating High Achievement: High School Principals' Reflections on Their Successful Leadership Practices. Journal of Educational Administration 47 (4) , pp. 46-61.
Sanzo, K. L. and Hellman, V. G. School Board Decision Making in the Era of No Child Left Behind. Educational Planning.
Sanzo, K. L. Literacy and the Principal: The Need for Renewed Literacy Efforts at the Secondary Level. International Electronic Journal for Leadership in Learning.
Sanzo, K. L. and Sherman, W. H. (2008). Using Effective Schools Research to Promote Culturally Competent Leadership Practices. Journal for Effective Schools 7 (1) , pp. 46-61.
Sanzo, K. L. (2007). School Board Decision Making: An Analysis of the Process. International Journal of Educational Reform 16 (4) , pp. 367-389.
Sanzo, K. L. and Sherman, W. H. (2007). Student Achievement, Principal Catalysts: Instructional Leadership in Reading. International Journal of Educational Reform 16 (4) , pp. 390-410.

Books

Sanzo, K. L., Myran, S. and Caggiano, J. (2015). Formative Assessment Leadership. Eye on Education.

Presentations

Myran, S., Sanzo, K. L. and Clayton, J. ( ). Building the Foundation for Data-Based Decision Making in a School-University Leadership Preparation Partnership 2010 American Educational Research Association Annual Convention Denver Colorado.
Sanzo, K. L., Myran, S. and Clayton, J. ( ). Transformative Impact of the Mentor-Mentee Relationship on District Leaders (Symposium: High Impact Innovations in Leadership Preparation: Evidence from Emerging Models) 2010 American Educational Research Association Annual Convention Denver Colorado.
Sanzo, K. L. and Myran, S. ( ). Scaling Up The Conversation: Strategies for Sharing and Learning from Current Practice 2010 School Leadership Programs Project Directors and Evaluators Meeting Washington D.C..
Myran, S., Sanzo, K. L. and Clayton, J. (November , 2009). Building Bridges Between Knowledge and Practice: A Case Study on The Development of a University-School District Leadership Preparation Program Partnership 2009 University Council for Educational Administration Annual Convention Anaheim, California.
Sanzo, K. L., Myran, S. and Clayton, J. (November , 2009). Tracking the Development of a University-District Leadership Preparation Program Partnership 2009 University Council for Educational Administration Annual Convention Anaheim, California.
Myran, S. and Sanzo, K. L. (October , 2009). Development of a University-Rural School District Leadership Preparation Program 2009 International Society for Educational Planning Convention Savannah, Ga. .
Sanzo, K. L., Sherman, W. H. and Clayton, J. (April , 2009). Middle School Leadership Best Practices The American Educational Research Association Annual Conference San Diego, California.
Sherman, W. H., Sanzo, K. L. and Beaty, D. (April , 2009). Perspectives on Distance Technolog in Leadership Education: Transfer, Meaning, and Change The American Educational Research Association Annual Conference San Diego, California.
Sherman, W. H., Sanzo, K. L., Beaty, D. and Peters, A. (April , 2009). Three Guineas in Educational Leadership: Designing a Room of One's Own The American Educational Research Association Annual Conference San Diego, California.
Sanzo, K. L. (December , 2008). What's Data Have to Do With Success? Everything! Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development: Annual Conference Williamsburg, Virginia.
Sanzo, K. L., Sherman, W. H. and Myran, S. (October , 2008). Reflections of Best Practices of Successful Elementary School Principals The University Council of Educational Administration: Annual Conference Orlando, Florida.
Sanzo, K. L. and Helmman, G. V. (October , 2008). School Board Decision Making in the Era of No Child Left Behind The University Council of Educational Administration: Annual Conference Orlando, Florida.
Sanzo, K. L. (March , 2008). Speaking the Same Data Language: How Practitioners and Theorists Conceptualize Data-Driven Decision Making Terminology American Educational Research Association Annual Convention New York, New York.
Sanzo, K. L. and Grothaus, T. J.P.. ( 2007). Counselor-principal collaboration: An investment in student success Virginia School Counselors Association Annual Conference Richmond, Virginia.
Sanzo, K. L. and Brezinski, H. (November , 2007). Data-Driven Decision Making: A Sense Making Approach to Data Language University Council for Educational Administration: Annual Conference Alexandria, Virginia.
Sanzo, K. L. and Sherman, W. H. (November , 2007). Leadership Success: Best Practices of Successful high School Principals University Council for Educational Administration: Annual Conference Alexandria, Virginia.
Sanzo, K. L., Sherman, W. H., Munoz, A., Beaty, D. and Pankake, A. (November , 2007). Mentoring: Essential to the Advancement of Women's Career Goals in Educaitonal Leadership? University Council for Educational Administration: Annual Conference Alexandria, Virginia.
Sanzo, K. L., Sherman, W. H. and Haynes, R. (November , 2007). Students with Speciall Needs, Reading Education, and Principals: Bridging the Divide Through Instructional Leadership University Council for Educational Administration: Annual Conference Alexandria, Virginia.
Sanzo, K. L., Sherman, W. H. and Owings, W. A. (November , 2007). The Next Generation of Leadership Preparation Programs: Exploring New (and Perhaps Radical) Changes to Educational Leaders in a Just and Equitable Manner University Council for Educational Administration: Annual Conference Alexandria, Virginia.
Sanzo, K. L. (November , 2007). Data Driven Decision Making: Fostering a D3M Culture in Your School Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Annual Conference Williamsburg, Virginia.
Sanzo, K. L. (November , 2007). Data Driven Decision Making: Fostering a D3M Culture in Your School Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development: Annual Conference Williamsburg, Virginia.
Grothaus, T. J.P.. and Sanzo, K. L. (November , 2007). Embracing the challenge: Enhancing counselor-prinicpal collaboration Virginia Counseling Association Annual Conference Portsmouth, Virginia.
Sanzo, K. L. (June , 2007). Developing Your Leadership Philosophy Hampton Roads Principal Center Annual Conference Chesapeake, Virginia.
Sanzo, K. L. (June , 2007). Data Driven Decision Making Virginia Association for Secondary School Principals: Annual Conference Williamsburg, Virginia.
Sherman, W. H. and Sanzo, K. L. (November , 2006). Student Achievement - Elementary Principal Catalysts: Instructional Leadership in Reading University Council for Educational Administration: Annual Conference San Antonio, Texas.
Sanzo, K. L. and Sherman, W. H. (November , 2006). Leadership for Teaching and Learning: Developing Your Leadership Philosophy Virginia Associationfor Supervision and Curriculum Development: Annual Convention Williamsburg, Virginia.
Sanzo, K. L. (April , 2006). Math Assessment and Error Analysis Workshop Phillips Elementary School Phillips Elementary School.
Sanzo, K. L. (March , 2006). Piecing Together the Puzzle to Being a Good Instructional Leader Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals: Assistant Principal/Lead Teacher Conference Hot Springs, Virginia.
Sanzo, K. L. (December , 2005). The Educator and the Law Hampton City Schools/Phillips Elementary School Meeting Phillips Elementary School.
Sanzo, K. L. ( 2004). Data Intepretation Workshop Hampton City schools Data Workshop Hampton, Virginia.
Sanzo, K. L. ( 2004). New Teacher Handbook Workshop Hampton City Schools Workshops Hampton, Virginia.
  • 2009: Teaching with Technolog Award, ODU Outstanding Faculty Awards Committee
  • 2007: Faculty Development Award, Old Dominion University Faculty Senate's Scholarly Activity and Research Committee

Organizational Chart