After graduating from Hunter College, Dr. Zelman started her career as a high school social studies teacher in the NYC public schools. She received a full fellowship to pursue a PHD from the Rackham Graduate School in education policy and research. For 14 years, she was an associate professor of education at Emmanuel College in Boston, MA chairing the department of education for 7 years and simultaneously holding research appointments at Harvard University Graduate School of Education and Columbia University Teachers College. 

Dr. Zelman left her academic career to enter state government where she was an Associate Commissioner of Education, Massachusetts Department of Education, Deputy Commissioner of Education, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and State Superintendent of Education, for the state of Ohio.  Following her time in state government, she served as senior vice president for education and children’s programming at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting where she developed policies and programs to integrate public service media into a national reform education agenda. Currently she is a consultant to education technology firms on a variety of education issues. Her first book, The Buying and Selling of American Education: Reimagining a System of Schools for All Children, was published in December 2022. 

Dr. Zelman holds 3 honorary degrees, from Youngstown State University, Baldwin-Wallace, and the University of Rio Grande. She was the recipient of numerous grants and awards. She authored numerous articles, book chapters, and research studies. Dr. Zelman is currently serving a nine-year term as a board trustee for Northeast Ohio Medical University. In addition, she serves on the board of The National Network of School Partnership and Interfaith Council Columbus, Ohio where she is currently the board secretary. She was previously on the Jewish Columbus Community Relations Board.