Seek Advice from Black Faculty Training K-12 Educators
“This adultification and criminalization of Black children’s bodies and actions in schools perpetually deny them “any access to childhood humanity.” – Dancy, 2014
Did you know?
Black students are substantially more likely to graduate from high school and enroll
in college if they are assigned to at least one black teacher in grades K–3. -National
Bureau of Economic Research (2018)
The following faculty members are on this page to serve as a point of contact for those who would like to gain some insight about pursuing a career in education. Included is each faculty member's bio, contact information, area of speciality, and information about why they chose to become educators.
Dr. Angela Lynn Bass
Lecturer
Educational Leadership
I am an Executive Coach for The National Center for Urban School Transformation. I support Administrative Tier II Candidates and support schools across the country in an effort to attain excellence.
Areas of Specialty
I specialize in leadership development and academic excellence. I support individuals in achieving their calling, passion and aspiration.
Why I Chose to Become an Educator
Early as a young person I knew I was called to become an servant, ultimately, an educator. I knew teachers who encouraged and discouraged me. As a result, this ignited my determination to be the educator who told children that they were brilliant and they could be anything.
Michael Love
lecturer
School of Teacher Education
I am an adjunct instructor in the School of Teacher Education. I teach TE 170 (Child and Adolescent Development from a Cultural Perspective) and assist in the 3 Semester block cohort of Future Educators. In Spring 2023 I plan to lead a seminar class for future math educators.
Areas of Speciality
I have extensive experience (20+ years) in guiding aspiring and new teachers; having offered support as a guide teacher to student teachers and a mentor teacher to new teachers at the high school level. I also have served as a mentor for young men as a high school club advisor.
Why I Chose to Become an Educator
I became a Black educator because I saw a need and I had a few people recognize my potential and reach out to me to encourage me to change careers and become an educator. I started teaching at the age of 39 (moving from another career) and it was the best professional decision I ever made.
Dr. Brandon Gamble
Director
Black Resource Center
I received my training in psychology from Oakwood College for my Bachelor's degree, San Diego State for my Master's degree, and the University of Southern California is where I earned my Doctoral degree in Educational Psychology. From 1998 to 2009, I served middle and high school students as a School Psychologist in the Long Beach Unified School District before becoming an Associate Professor at Cal State University Long Beach, in the College of Education for the Educational Psychology program from 2007 to 2018. I have had the honor to serve as the adviser for the Black Student Union at CSULB. Also, from 2018-2021, I served as the Dean of Student Success at, Oakwood University, my undergraduate alma mater, in Huntsville, AL. Currently, I serve as the Director for the Black Resource Center at San Diego State University.
Areas of Specialty
I specialize in Black Psychology, Educational Psychology, School Psychology, Social Capital Networks, Special Education. I can provide guidance about graduate school preparation, motivation, issues that impact Black people in the workplace, union support, African-Centered education.
Why I Chose to Become a Black Educator
To strive towards meaning and hope with Black students and their families. I did not have a positive educational experience until college. I achieved, mostly in spite of thanks to my parents who are educators.
Dr. Sean Green
Lecturer
Counseling and School Psychology
I am a Lecturer in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology. As an Alum of San Diego State University, it makes me incredibly proud to be able to come back and serve at the institution I attended.
Areas of Specialty
I specialize in navigating higher education and maximizing the opportunities available. My research interests include college readiness, program implementation in education, and self efficacy for first generation college students.
Why I Chose to Become a Black Educator
I quickly noticed that there were not enough black educators in my community and I wanted to play a critical role in educating and supporting others like me.
Dr. Tonika Green
Professor
Counseling and School Psychology
I am the Associate Vice President for Campus and Community Affairs in the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity at SDSU. She served as a Professor at San Diego State University in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology for 20 years. My leadership roles have included School Psychology Program Director, National Association of School Psychologists Minority Recruitment Chair, Grant Director, University Senate, and Director and Founder of the African American Mentoring Program which is devoted to recruiting, reaching, and supporting students of African descent. I have also served as the Charles Bell Scholar to direct SDSU's Henrietta Goodwin Scholars Program which provides mentorship and academic support for African American 1st year students.
Areas of Specialty
In my current role, as the Associate Vice President for Campus Community Affairs, I provide senior leadership to a number of key areas including the department of Graduate Life and Diversity, SDSU’s 15 employee resource groups, and the Professors of Equity program. In addition, I serve as the lead diversity officer for the microsite programs at our local community colleges. I also serves as the interim director of the Black Resource Center with a mission of promoting Black Excellence and providing a safe and welcoming environment where students, staff, and faculty of the African diaspora can congregate, collaborate, and cultivate a unified community.
My research focuses on social justice within education and mentorship. I have been awarded over $3 million in federally-funded grants designed to train school professionals to improve outcomes for minoritized youth, with specific attention to Black youth and youth in foster care.
Why I Chose to Become a Black Educator
I became a Black educator, because I watched my mother enjoy the profession. Her passion was contagious and I knew that I wanted to be just like her. I wanted that joy!
Adrienne Nicodemus, Ed. M.
lecturer
School of Teacher Education
I work with the School of Teacher Education as a Lecturer in the Secondary Credential and Master of Arts in Teaching programs. I co-lead the Project Based Career Prep cohort in the single subject credential program.
Areas of Specialty
I have experience coaching and supporting teachers in training and practicing teachers. I also have experience in creating support systems beyond family in order to stay in the profession, challenging the concept of imposter syndrome, and protecting your space as a Black educator in predominantly white schools.
Why I Chose to Become a Black Educator
The course of my life was positively impacted by the influences of teachers and school-related programs. Though my family struggled financially, and neither of my parents attended college, schools provided resources and opportunities my family could not. When I made the decision over 20 years ago to become a teacher, my goal was to pay forward the supports I found in schools.
Dr. Angelia Watkins
LEcturer
Special Education
As a University Supervisor, I support teacher candidates in both the gereral and Special Education teaching programs. Part of my role is to observe teacher candidates in the classrooms and to provide instructional feedback. I am also a Principal in the SDUSD District.
Areas of Specialty
I can support by helping navigate the SDUSD hiring system and in the area of Special Eduaction.
Why I Chose to Become a Black Educator
I wanted to be able to show students that look like me, that they too can be successful and can also make a difference in the lives of students of color.
Lavar J. Watkins
Lecturer/Single-subject credential site coordinator
School of Teacher Education
I am currently the "Single-Subject Credential Site Coordinator" and a lecturer for the courses "TE 923 - Psychological Foundations of Education, ED 451 - Introduction to Multicultural Education and TE 303 - The Teaching Profession: First Clinical Experience". In addition to lecturing; I am actively working with staff in the Teacher Education Department on research about "Racial Equity in STEM '' for socioeconomic students in the county with my 501(c)(3) Nonprofit - LKW STEM FOUNDATION. Its mission is to allow opportunities for minority students in underserved communities to have equal access and exposure to STEM Education through participation in camps, workshops and courses. My research interests are 1) Minorities in STEM, 2) Educational Psychology and Diversity, 3) Equity and SEL.
Areas of Specialty
I specialize in areas such as counseling/therapy, workforce development, education, STEM, social emotional learning, and curriculum & instruction.
Why I Chose to Become a Black Educator
I became a Black educator because I have only been taught by one Black educator in my entire educational journey. I believe that every Black student should have access to a Black educator and see a reflection of themselves during their own educational journey. This journey should be led by and supported by an educator who is culturally competent and gives them an awareness of the impact and influence that Black educators have on those that are learning, growing and prospering from an educator that looks like them.
Dr. James Wright
Assistant Proffesor
Educational Leadership
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University. My research critically analyzes the various ways in which race and culture shape educational policy. Specifically, I look at contemporary educational practices, informed by school policies, as impacted by historically racialized inequities that have become school norms.
Areas of Specialty
I specialize in qualitative research; coloniality; CRT in education; critical discourse analysis. I am also able to share lived experiences.
Why I Chose to Become a Black Educator
I would say that graduate school definitely steered me towards pursuing a career in Education.