By Emma Kim Levin
Ruben Cortez, Ed.D., began his career as a social studies teacher and principal in a low-income area of Los Angeles before transitioning into consultancy work in K-12 schools. After working in consultancy for nine years, Dr. Cortez saw an opportunity to broaden his impact by transitioning into the community at Pacific Oaks College, where he is a professor in the Human Development and Education Department. Dr. Cortez’s experience in both teaching and consultancy has led him on a mission to inspire teachers to become more effective educators through the values of diversity, community, and purposeful instruction.
Diversity is a critical component of any effective classroom
Dr. Cortez believes in the necessity of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, and he continues to speak on the importance of incorporating DEI into classrooms. It’s incumbent upon educators to be aware of their students’ backgrounds and needs.
“One of the challenges of teaching is the diverse student population you encounter,” Dr. Cortez says. “This diversity can be anything from race, neurodiversity, to social and emotional [differences].”
Dr. Cortez himself grew up in a Spanish-speaking household but went to school in a majority-white, English-speaking area, so he understands from experience what it’s like to face a language barrier and experience feelings of isolation because of it. His personal experience informs Dr. Cortez’s teaching approach. When it comes to making classrooms more equitable, he says he acts out of the spirit of the law rather than the letter.
“I believe that everyone deserves grace now and then,” Dr. Cortez says. “We need to start with the assumption that each person is doing their best. We have a lot of full-time working students, and they don’t leave their life at the [classroom] door.”
Students need a sense of community to make their voices heard
Dr. Cortez believes students should feel like they have a voice in the classroom and receive adequate support on their educational journey to encourage and amplify their voice. One way for teachers to facilitate that support is to understand the value of community and do their best to create one in the classroom.
“Community herds you, supports you, and is where you go when you’re stuck and unsure,” Dr. Cortez says. “Community allows you to feel vulnerable so that you can grow.” This support is crucial in a classroom, and it can help lower accessibility barriers for students. Community is also critical for supporting students’ sense of purpose in their education.
Teachers who operate with purpose keep their students motivated
Students also take cues from teachers when it comes to purpose. Over the course of his career as a teacher, Dr. Cortez came to realize that many teachers who are eager to make a positive impact on students become stuck in repetitive cycles. He says that school can feel like the movie “Groundhog Day” for both students and teachers, meaning it may seem like the same day or the same routine repeats itself over and over. Dr. Cortez believes that students seeking to exert more control over their day search for ways to break out of repetitive schedules.
To keep students focused and motivated, Dr. Cortez recommends educators shift to what he calls “purposeful instruction.”
“When teachers plan their lessons, they should envision a student next to them asking them ‘Why?’ says Dr. Cortez. “It’s crucial that students understand why they’re learning something.” He adds that the answer to that question should never be merely, “We need grades in the grade book.” A student and their teacher are on a journey together, and the teacher must guide that journey.
It’s clear how passionate Dr. Cortez is about instructing the next generation of future educators. When asked why he chose this career, he recognizes the sheer impact the teaching profession can have on a generation.
“An average person’s lifetime will spend 13 years in school and around 15,000 hours in a classroom,” says Dr. Cortez. “What other profession has such a long reach and powerful effect as teaching does?”
