Nominated by: Deirdre Johnson Burel
Jeannie Oakes has done groundbreaking work to address inequality in education while emphasizing the critical importance of civic virtues and democracy in public education reform. Her work over more than two decades outlines a path for our country as we now grapple with addressing achievement for a new majority-minority public school enrollment. She firmly believes the most effective reforms must include the voices and realities of the communities they aim to serve. Her research has supported the leadership of community-based organizations in advancing change for minority youth.
