About the Collective
About the Education Justice Consulting Collective
The Education Justice Consulting Collective is a dynamic, collaborative network of consultants committed to a just public education system. Our strength lies in our diverse expertise, flexible structure, and deep commitment to societal impact, making us a valuable resource for organizations seeking specialized consulting services and rapid response support.
Our collective aims to fill gaps in the current landscape, particularly at this crucial juncture for public education. We’re making meaningful change for local communities who are doing their best in a difficult context.
THEORY OF CHANGE
COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE
COLLECTIVE BENEFITS
VALUES & BELIEFS
THEORY OF CHANGE
If we provide relationship-based, hand-on technical support and expertise
This relates to the services we offer, focusing on addressing immediate needs and challenges in public education. Our approach is to be directly involved and responsive to the unique situations of each community.
With a spirit of liberation, sovereignty, solidarity, and love
Our approach emphasizes working together with communities, understanding their perspectives, and enabling them to lead changes in their educational systems. We believe in respecting the wisdom and knowledge inherent in these communities, and we center those most vulnerable or impacted by injustice and violence.
Then educators, administrators, students, and community members can effectively navigate and resolve educational controversies and challenges
The local community impact we aim for is to equip key stakeholders in education with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to address current issues and to foster a more equitable and just educational environment.
Which contributes to creating safer, more equitable, and justice-oriented educational spaces
The larger context change we seek is a shift in the educational landscape towards environments that prioritize safety, equity, and justice, thereby creating a more inclusive and fair experience for all students.
And makes possible resilient, liberatory educational environments where students experience a sense of self, place, and community as they shape our shared future.
Our vision is to establish educational settings that are not only responsive to current needs but are also forward-thinking. These environments should empower students with the skills and knowledge to be active, informed participants in shaping a just and equitable society.
COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE
Our commitment to Education Justice means:
Liberation at the Center: Cross-movement, intersectional work that puts justice-seeking groups and those who are pursuing liberatory goals at the center of our work.
Theory of Change: The collective operates with a clear vision and theory of change, facilitating effective and sustainable work models for both consultants and client organizations.
Supporting Public Education: At its core, the collective is dedicated to strengthening public education and just practices. This involves understanding and addressing the specific needs within the education sector and beyond.
Capacity + Powerbuilding: A key focus is on enhancing the capacity and power of the public education space. The collective’s work is rooted in the belief that this isn’t just an obligation but a significant opportunity for change and growth.
COLLECTIVE BENEFITS
Our Consulting Collective brings:
Diverse Skills: The collective brings together consultants from various backgrounds, especially in communications and digital fields. This diversity allows the collective to offer a wide range of services, from Communications strategy and graphic design to technical advice and fast, impactful research.
Tailored Services: Whether it’s a large national network or a smaller organization, the collective is structured to meet the specific needs of different groups. It’s versatile enough to handle immediate communication needs as well as longer-term strategic support.
Adaptive Structure: Unlike traditional consulting firms, this collective stands out for its non-traditional, less hierarchical structure. It’s more of a partnership among consultants rather than a top-down organization. The collective's structure allows for flexibility, adapting to the evolving needs of different projects and clients. This fluidity ensures that the right expertise is brought to each unique challenge.
Knowledge and Resource Sharing: Consultants in this collective share resources, knowledge, and networks, thus enhancing the overall quality and impact of our work, which enhances the outcomes for our clients.
VALUES + BELIEFS
Global Perspective, Local Action, and Respect for Sovereignty: We recognize the interconnectedness of our global community, but emphasize the importance of local actions and solutions. This includes advocating for the "Land Back" movement globally and in the United States, acknowledging and respecting the sovereignty and rights of Indigenous nations. We believe in the restoration and return of land to Indigenous peoples as a fundamental step towards justice and reconciliation. This commitment is not just about physical territory; it's about recognizing and supporting the self-determination and cultural preservation of Indigenous communities worldwide. We understand this as an essential component of a just and equitable world, where every nation's right to self-governance and connection to their ancestral lands is honored.
Liberation Through Knowledge, Healing, and Lived Experience: We believe in the liberating power of enlightenment that comes from the pursuit of knowledge. This liberation is particularly profound when it embraces diverse perspectives, providing a pathway to freedom. Our quest for truth is underpinned by a commitment to listen and learn from a multitude of voices, with special attention to those marginalized and silenced in history. A critical component of this journey is the shared process of healing. We recognize that through the exploration of varied lived experiences, we not only gain knowledge but also embark on a collective healing journey. This journey addresses historical injustices and personal traumas, fostering a community that heals together as it learns. This requires us to acknowledge and change our own biases as we remain open to dialog, interruption, and feedback. It's through this synthesis of knowledge, healing, and integrity that we forge a deeper, more nuanced understanding of truth, driving us towards liberation.
Solidarity through Collective Action: Our commitment extends beyond individual understanding to fostering solidarity with the global majority who consistently demonstrate resilience in the face of systemic oppression. We recognize that this solidarity is not merely a passive agreement but an active engagement in the struggles against injustices that permeate our societies. It is grounded in a profound belief that understanding the truth about our collective histories and the ongoing systemic injustices is crucial for the liberation of ourselves and others. We have unwavering support for those who combat inequalities daily, acknowledging that their fight is intrinsically linked to the larger struggle for justice and equity worldwide. We understand that the challenges faced by one community are often reflective of a broader pattern of systemic issues that affect many, and therefore, our solidarity is a commitment to collective action and mutual support. Our solidarity is not passive, and involves taking concrete actions in advocacy, education, community organizing, or other forms of direct, meaningful support. We are committed to using our resources, networks, and platforms to challenge injustices and support movements that aim to dismantle oppressive systems. Our liberation is bound together, and only through collective efforts can we achieve the true change we seek.
Intergenerational Commitment through Public Education: Our dedication to the pursuit of truth and justice is a lifelong, multi-generational commitment, deeply connected to both the legacy of our ancestors and the promise of our future descendants, biological and chosen. This journey towards a just world is ongoing, requiring continuous and persistent engagement from each generation. Recognizing that youth are pivotal in shaping our shared future, we center the crucial role of public education in our endeavor. Quality education prepares us to carry forward the work of past generations and to innovate new paths. As we invest in and support public education, we working side by side with youth leaders, thinkers, and change-makers who will continue to uphold and advance our collective futures.
Moving Towards Justice through Love: Pairing justice with love is essential for achieving meaningful and lasting change. Beyond accountability, love guides us into relationships rooted in empathy, understanding, and mutual respect. We recognize our shared humanity and see each other as partners in the journey towards a more equitable world. In this framework, right relationships are central. These are relationships built on honesty, respect, and the acknowledgement of past wrongs. It means approaching each other with an open heart and mind, ready to listen, learn, and grow together. Right relationships are about repairing harm and rebuilding trust, where each party is seen and valued as a whole person. We see each other’s humanity — the inherent worth and dignity in every person, regardless of their background or actions. This perspective fosters compassion and empathy that opens doors to understanding the root causes of injustices and addressing them in a way that honors everyone involved.
Empiricism, Accuracy, and Challenging Ideological Distortions: We firmly believe that the pursuit of objective truth, grounded in empirical evidence, is fundamental to our understanding and actions. This commitment to empiricism drives us to actively challenge any ideologies that distort reality and perpetuate injustices. We hold that accuracy in information and understanding is paramount and reject the notion of neutrality when it compromises truth. We understand that often, neutrality can serve as a veil for perpetuating injustice. Therefore, our pledge is to a world where facts and evidence take precedence over unverified beliefs and biases, ensuring that our actions and beliefs are always aligned with the pursuit of truth and justice.