Social Justice Activist Award
Boyd Bosma Jose Lara Jose Vilson
Members of the National Education Association have a long and proud history of social justice activism. Education advocacy and social justice advocacy go hand in hand, as an increasingly diverse kaleidoscope of students and educators must feel welcome in our public schools. Every day educators take extraordinary action to show leadership on social justice issues in and out of the classroom.
The social justice activist award will be presented to one exceptional member who demonstrates the ability to lead, organize and engage educators, parents, and the community to advocate on social justice issues that impact the lives of students, fellow educators and the communities they serve.
Read the biographies of the nominees below. Then cast your vote. Only one vote per member will be counted.
Nominees for the 2015 Social Justice Activist Award
Boyd Bosma
From his days as a Michigan classroom teacher and civil rights pioneer to the present, Boyd Bosma has maintained his commitment to social justice.Dr. Boyd Bosma was a teacher leader in Michigan prior to serving much of his professional career with the National Education Association in the NEA Human Relations Center, an early precursor to the Department of Human and Civil Rights. He was a social justice change maker—a courageous pioneer of NEA policies and programs supporting civil and human rights in education at a time of enormous resistance to changing the status quo.
From his days as a Michigan classroom teacher and civil rights pioneer to the present, Boyd Bosma has maintained his commitment to social justice.Dr. Boyd Bosma was a teacher leader in Michigan prior to serving much of his professional career with the National Education Association in the NEA Human Relations Center, an early precursor to the Department of Human and Civil Rights. He was a social justice change maker—a courageous pioneer of NEA policies and programs supporting civil and human rights in education at a time of enormous resistance to changing the status quo.Dr. Boyd’s most notable accomplishments include leading efforts to end segregated membership requirements in NEA-affiliated state associations and the merger of black and white NEA affiliates; organizing the National Committee of Educators for Civil Rights; and writing and leading the adoption of the NEA Resolution 12 amendment requiring the merger and integration of NEA local and state affiliates.
Jose Lara
Social studies teacher Jose Lara’s successful campaign to make ethnic studies a graduation requirement in Los Angeles schools has inspired school districts across the nation.Jose Lara is a social studies teacher, vice president of the El Rancho Unified School Board, Dean at Santee Education Center (an LA Unified high school), and a member of the United Teachers Los Angeles board. A dedicated social justice activist, Lara has organized parents, educators, and students around issues of educational justice in our public schools.Most recently, Lara formed the Ethnic Studies Now Coalition and led the campaign to make Ethnic Studies a graduation requirement in the Los Angeles Unified School District—the nation’s second largest—last fall. After a successful vote, school districts and states across the country are beginning to pass similar resolutions.
Jose Vilson
A New York City math teacher and innovative online activist for social justice, Vilson has been a tireless advocate for public school students and communities of color.José Luis Vilson is a math educator for a middle school in the Inwood / Washington Heights neighborhood of New York, New York. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in mathematics education from the City College of New York. He is a committed writer, web designer, and father and an outstanding activist and leader in the area of social justice and education.Vilson’s efforts to raise the voices of people of color in education-related matters via online activism has resulted in the formation of the influential group #educolor. Vilson’s book, This is Not a Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class and Education, has been instrumental in broadening the scope of discourse in education.
Nominations Closed.
Voting Ends May 18, 2015
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us atHCRActivists@nea.org
