Co-Creating #BLM Action Plan: Living Social Justice as Activism

• In Event: Unmasking Racism and Violence: Co-Creating a University Statement and #BLM Social Justice and Advocacy Series

Abstract

Dr. Rebekka Jez is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) in the Department of Learning and Teaching where she researches, teaches, and supports educators working to support diverse learners from around the world using culturally responsive inclusive practices. Dr. Jez taught in special education classrooms in Oakland and San Francisco for over 14 years. She earned a bachelor of arts in Psychology and a bachelor of arts in Sociology from the University of Washington (1999). Dr. Jez earned her education specialist teaching credential (2005), a masters of arts in teaching (2006), and her doctorate in Learning and Instruction with a focus on Special Education (2011) from the University of San Francisco. Rebekka has facilitated professional development seminars both locally and globally (South Africa, Nigeria, Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi, New Zealand) since 2003. In 2013, Rebekka completed a Distinguished Fulbright in Teaching in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she trained professors, faculty, preservice teachers, and educators in township schools about the implementation of culturally responsive inclusive practices to support all learners and families within their schools. She currently teaches courses on language, culture, and race in education in the PhD program and on academic assessment of learners, positive behavior and support of learners, collaboration, research, and education in the postcolonial context from a social justice lens in the masters and credential program. Additionally, she has authored and co-authored articles and chapters on culturally responsive postsecondary transition for culturally and linguistically diverse students with exceptional needs, culturally responsive literacy development to support bilingual emergent learners, assets-based teacher professional development and support, evidence-based practices for mild/moderate learners, community engagement, and the implementation of Changemaking projects across the globe. Dr. Jez’s research is focused on training and supporting educators, families, and community members in successfully working with students who benefit from additional support due to differing abilities, language, traumatic experiences, and socio-economic challenges around the world using culturally responsive inclusive practices. Rebekka has presented at national and international conferences about collaborative processes, positive behavior interventions and supports, postsecondary transition, literacy supports, and effective teacher training and support practices for the last two decades. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Division of International Special Education and Services, Balang Foundation (South African Literacy Non-Profit Organisation), and Nativity Preparatory School. Dr. Jez is also the Director of the Academy of Catholic Teaching (ACT) program, which is part of the University Consortium of Catholic Education (UCCE). In this role she works in partnership with the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego in training and supporting candidates in service through teaching, living in community, and spirituality while working as K-12 Catholic school educators. She is a co-editor of Teacher Education Quarterly. Dr. Jez represents USD as an invited member of the national Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform (CEEDAR). Dr. Jez co-created and led the #BLM Social Justice and Advocacy Series with Dr. Lathan.

Author

• Rebekka Joanne Jez, University of San Diego