Carmen Cruz

Carmen Cruz is a special education teacher and advocate for inclusive education. Since 2014, Carmen has been a Special Education Generalist at Sunset Park High School in Brooklyn, NY. There, she teaches 10th and 11th grade ELA, U.S. History, and Global History, and serves as an advisor to students. Carmen is also actively involved in the Restorative Practices and Transformative Actions Team, aiming to cultivate an anti-racist school culture. In her role as a New Teacher Mentor, she supports first and second-year educators, helping them navigate their early careers.

In addition to her work as an educator, she currently works as a team member for the Educators for Democracy with The Institute for Common Power, where she collaboratively organizes and manages educational events and programs for teachers.

Carmen’s background includes her work as a College Now Adjunct Professor at Kingsborough Community College, where she taught courses on freshman seminar and career planning.

In addition to her Doctoral candidacy in Instructional Leadership from Hunter College, her academic credentials include a Master’s in Special Education from St. John’s University, and a Bachelor’s in English from Brooklyn College. Carmen has been recognized through multiple fellowships, including the Hollyhock Educator Fellowship at the Center to Support Excellence in Teaching at Stanford University, the Hollyhock Humanities Fellowship at Relay Graduate School and the Vocal Justice Teacher Fellowship, which focus on equity and culturally responsive teaching.

Carmen’s involvement in various conferences and professional development initiatives, such as the Truth and Purpose Learning Experiences and the Critically Conscious Educators Rising Series, underscores her commitment to advancing educational practices.

Related Professional Experiences

• 2012 to Present, Special Education Generalist (7-12) for NYC Public Schools
• 2020 to 2023, Adjunct College Now Professor, Kingsborough Community College
• 2023 to 2024, Hollyhock Senior Fellow and Seasonal Coach, Relay Graduate School
• 2024 to Present, Educator for Democracy with the Institute for Common Power

Conference Presentations

• “Shadow a Student Project: Building Empathy Through Design Thinking,” Brooklyn North Chancellor’s Day Professional Development, Dept. of Ed.
• “Restorative Practices & Building Spaces of Healing, Community & Relationships Post-Pandemic” Hollyhock Colloquium 2021, Stanford University
• “The Other San Juan Hill,” Truth in Education: A 24-Hour Teach-In for American Democracy

• 2011 BA in English
• 2014 MS in Education for Special Education for Adolescents

My current research aims to explore how integrating criticality into social studies curricula can enhance academic achievement among students with disabilities and English language learners.

• The Pelican Foundation for Creative Education Grant, for Engaging Students in LBGTQ+ Centered Literature
• Educator Ambassador Grant from the Institute for Common Power, awarded to conduct a school-wide History Fair