AC21 - A3 - Humanizing Black Children: Race and Emotional Learning

Dr. Evandra Catherine is a postdoctoral research scholar at the Children's Equity Project at Arizona State University, where her work includes research and policy projects focused on building more equitable learning systems for young children, particularly children of color. Her research is focused on reconceptualizing how early childhood educators support the emotional development of children of color, especially Black children through practice-based coaching and anti-bias curriculum. Her dissertation focused on coaching early childhood educators to use emotionally supportive instructional practices to promote emotional development with children of color. Through her work she translates data and research into equity policy recommendations to federal, state, and local organizations to support and encourage the use of anti-bias, anti-racist policies and practices in early care and learning settings. She holds a B.A. in African American Studies, Master of Public Administration, and Ph.D. in Special Education Policy from Virginia Commonwealth University.