Profile
Michelle Sadrena Pledger earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in social justice education through a joint doctoral program at the University of California San Diego and California State University, San Marcos. Her research focused on cultivating culturally responsive teaching and classroom management self-efficacy in novice and veteran teachers for the purpose of improving academic opportunities and outcomes for culturally and linguistically diverse students. She has been recognized as a Clark Scholar, a Billions Institute Fellow, a Chrispeels Doctoral Fellow, and received the National Society of High School Scholars Higher Education Award. In addition, Michelle earned her Masters in Pacific International Affairs at the University of California San Diego, where she was a Shoephlin Fellow, and a recipient of the Inter-American Development Award. Her publications in Education Week, Childhood Education, and Unboxed, and her position on the board of directors for The Finance Lab and Unlocked, Inc. demonstrate her commitment to scholarship and service. She is determined to be a transformative leader in education who inspires adolescents and adults to think critically and act empathetically as they realize their unlimited potential. Michelle believes that designing for equity in education is integral to the lasting liberation of society.
