1st Edition

Addressing Racism and Ableism in the Classroom and Teacher Education Case Studies of Special Education Teachers of Color

By Saili S. Kulkarni Copyright 2026
142 Pages 7 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

142 Pages 7 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

142 Pages 7 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

Addressing Racism and Ableism in the Classroom and Teacher Education centers and elevates narratives of special education teachers of color, an overlooked and underserved population in public education, as a vehicle for analyzing the tensions of race and disability. Special education teachers of color, who work and may themselves live at the intersections of these complex identity constructs,... Read more

Introduction

Chapter 1: Understanding Racism and Ableism in Teacher Education Through Special Education Teachers of Color

Chapter 2: LaVeda: A Black, Female Preschool Special Education Teacher Building Classroom Community 
with contributions by LaVeda Harris

Chapter 3: Loriann: Integrating Disability and Race via a Restorative Lens in Elementary School
with contributions by Loriann Casillas

Chapter 4: Samuel: Navigating Identity Alongside Disabled Students of Color in Middle School
with contributions by Samuel Bland

Chapter 5: Joanna: Multiply Marginalized Disabled Students’ Discipline Disparities in Middle School
with contributions by Joanna Gaeta 

Chapter 6: Ashley: Unlearning Racism and Ableism Alongside Disabled Students of Color in High School 
with contributions by Ashley Highsmith

Chapter 7: Grappling with Racism and Ableism in Special Education: Special Education Teachers of Color and Resistance 

Appendix A: Table A.1 Curriculum Mapping Teacher Education Resources on Race and Disability.

Appendix B: Table A.2 Resources for Teachers of Multiply Marginalized Disabled Students of Color.

Biography

Saili S. Kulkarni is Associate Professor of Special Education at San José State University, USA.