The language, theories, and concepts I have learned in PLI have strengthened my identity as a social justice leader. I learned how to disrupt injustice from Theoharis, utilize Yosso’s community cultural wealth, and apply Moll’s funds of knowledge. I soaked in Dewey’s words on the role of democracy in education, bell hooks’ passion in seeing marginalization as a site of resistance, john powell’s speech on bridging and building belonging, and Jeff Duncan-Andrade’s rose-out-of-concrete metaphor illustrating critical hope. Empowered with the voices and vision of these courageous leaders, I now teach and lead with a greater purpose and urgency.”
