Rania Sadeq, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Early Childhood Education
Saint Xavier University, IL
Chicago Summit 2026 Paper Presentation Title
Play is Serious Work: What Adults Fail to Appreciate About Children's Play
Biography:
Dr. Rania Sadeq is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at Saint Xavier University, where she specializes in child development, play-based curriculum, and motivation in both students and teachers. Her scholarly work also examines the experiences of refugee and displaced children and their access to education.
Dr. Sadeq is deeply committed to teaching and student mentorship. She regularly teaches courses in child development and psychology, teacher training, and curriculum design. She integrates real-world experiences, active learning strategies, and research-based pedagogies to enhance student engagement and support academic success.
She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Organizational Change from Roosevelt University, a master’s degree in teacher preparation and art education from the University of Central Florida, and a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and ESL from Yarmouk University in Jordan. Her academic research focuses on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in education, approached through qualitative research methodologies.
Beyond academia, Dr. Sadeq is passionate about community engagement and global child advocacy. She regularly collaborates with colleagues and community partners to support initiatives that advance equity, learning, and well-being for children and families.
