Preferred pronouns: he, him, his

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Dr. Curtis Acosta

Founder & Executive Officer

Dr. Curtis Acosta was a high school teacher for nearly 20 years in Tucson, where he developed and taught Chican@/Latin@ Literature classes for the renowned Mexican American Studies program in the Tucson Unified School District. He is an award-winning educator who was named one of the “Top 10 Latinos to Watch in US Politics” by the Huffington Post. Curtis was featured in the documentaries Precious Knowledge and Dolores, and his teaching also received profiles on The Daily Show with John Stewart, CNN, PBS, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times amongst many other media outlets. He has been fortunate to have articles published in Voices in Urban Education, The English Journal, Journal of Language & Literacy, Multicultural Perspectives The Journal of Education Controversy. As well as chapters in the books, Educational Courage: Resisting the Ambush on Public Education, Rethinking Sexism, Gender, and Sexuality, and Rethinking Ethnic Studies.

Dr. Acosta is a proud Distinguished Alumnus of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He later obtained a Master’s of Arts and Ph.D. in Language, Reading, and Culture from the University of Arizona in Tucson. He is currently an Assistant Professor in Teaching, Learning, and Sociocultural Studies and Director of the M.Ed. in Secondary Education, Alternative Path program at the University of Arizona.

Curtis grew up as a biracial youth in the Bay Area which fueled his love for cultural and linguistic blending and plurality that became the foundation for his future life as an educator. When he is not engaged in the beautiful work of creating joy in the classroom with youth and teachers, Curtis loves traveling with his partner Patricia, his sons Ollin and Santiago, and their perrita Sol. He is thankful to his parents, grandparents, and the seven generations that came before him for their sacrifices that allowed him to follow his heart and passion for justice. 

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