Becoming a Social Justice Educator

The curiosity-stirring, can-do handbook for building inclusive cultures

With one click we can make our camera lens switch from portrait to landscape, so why can’t we find a simple way to broaden our perspectives on equity? Because human beings are wildly complex, for one thing. But this potent guide simplifies, providing concrete techniques for becoming expansive educators capable of engaging every student. Chapter assets include:

• Compelling research to support why it’s urgent we embrace foundational fairness—and why even subtle words can have massive effects on students’ sense of potential
• Questions and prompts that help you build inclusive thinking into your expectations of students, your feedback, grading, and approaches to discipline
• Activities, discussion frames, and debate structures that support students’ exploration of complex topics
• Ideas for engaging staff, leadership, family, and the community in ways that reveal strength

Social justice work is not "other;" it’s not extra. It’s student agency work. It’s what keeps so many of us educators up at night, worried about why some of our learners aren’t engaged. With this book, they will be engaged, because they will know you believe in their abilities, and now know how to show that every day.

Dr. Zachary Scott Robbins is the Superintendent of the Marysville School District in Washington State. He has “turned around” schools in Boston and Las Vegas and is honored to be the 2022 Nevada High School Principal of the Year. Dr. Robbins was the 2021 City of Las Vegas African-American Trailblazer in Education Award Recipient, and in 2021 he was the President-Elect of the Secondary School Principals Association of Nevada. Dr. Robbins was educated at Howard University in Washington, DC, and he earned his Ph.D. in Education Administration at the Boston College Lynch School of Education. You can find Dr. Robbins on Twitter at DrZacRobbins. Dr. Dominique Smith is an award-winning educator, author, and school leader who has dedicated two decades to transforming schools into inclusive, safe, and empowering spaces for students and educators alike. He currently serves as Principal at Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego, California. Dr. Smith earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California. His dual expertise in education and social work uniquely positions him to bridge the gap between academic success, emotional safety, and equitable school culture. A passionate advocate for belonging, restorative practices, and leadership development, Dr. Smith has co-authored several influential books, including Belonging in School: Creating a Place Where Kids Want to Learn and Teachers Want to Stay, Better Than Carrots or Sticks: Restorative Practices for Positive Classroom Management, Building Equity: Policies and Practices to Empower All Learners, Leader Credibility, How Leadership Works: A Playbook for Instructional Leaders, and The Restorative Practices Playbook. In recognition of his commitment to fostering safe and supportive school environments, Dr. Smith received the National School Safety Award from the School Safety Advocacy Council. His TED Talk on building authentic relationships between students and teachers has inspired educators across the country to reimagine connection as the cornerstone of effective teaching and learning. Through his leadership, writing, and speaking, Dr. Smith continues to champion the belief that when students feel seen, heard, and valued, they are empowered to thrive — both academically and personally. His work challenges schools to move beyond compliance and discipline toward cultures of belonging, accountability, and restorative growth.   Sarah Ortega, EdD, is a credentialed bilingual teacher and administrator in California.  She served as a classroom educator for 19 years before moving into various leadership positions at the site and district level.  In 2023, Sarah was recognized as the Chula Vista Elementary School District Teacher of the Year.  Her teaching videos have been featured in professional development training and educator magazines. She is a professional learning consultant and works with schools and districts to design and implement learning solutions that support the emotional, behavioral, and instructional needs of students.  She is a co-author of Teaching Foundational Skills to Adolescents and Instructional Strategies to Move Learning Forward. Oscar Corrigan is currently an administrator and director of English Language Learner program at Health Sciences High and Middle College (HSHMC) in San Diego, California. He has experience teaching middle school social studies, high school history, supervising teacher candidates, and implementing restorative practices. He earned his master′s degree in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University and is a Leading Edge Certified teacher in online and blended learning. With his classroom experience, and as a doctoral candidate at SDSU, Oscar strives to implement instructional practices that best promote an equitable learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds. Bryan Dale is currently the special education program director at Health Sciences High and Middle College (HSHMC) in San Diego, California. In addition, he has experience as an education specialist, an English teacher, and supervising teacher candidates. He earned his master’s degree in Special Education from California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) and is a Leading Edge Certified teacher in online and blended learning. With his classroom experience and as a doctoral candidate at SDSU, Bryan strives to implement instructional practices that best promote an equitable learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds.