Ratchetdemic, Poet, Abolitionist & Educator,
Dr. Teruko Dobashi
Teruko, a Black, queer, educator and poet grew up in Hunters Point, a predominately Black neighborhood plagued by drugs, violence yet a rich culture in San Francisco, California. As a former foster youth lacking self-esteem and a positive educational trajectory, Teruko overcame adversity by leaving the streets and nestling herself in communities and non-profit organizations focused on social justice and community organizing.
She continued her advocacy work during her time at the University of California, Berkeley. She was trained in restorative practices for Oakland youth, facilitated poetry workshops for Berkeley HS students, and volunteered as a circle facilitator at an alternative HS in West Oakland. Teruko spent six years teaching 4th-5th grade. Five of those years were in Jackson, Mississippi. During her time in the deep south, she joined BYP-100, volunteered to facilitate literacy as abolition workshops for youth recently incarcerated, and started an after-school program that leveraged social justice and community building as its pillars.
She received her Masters in Social Work from Jackson State University and her Masters in Education from Teachers, College, Columbia University and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University. She hopes to dismantle the chains of educational and social inequities, and help cultivate authorship and amplify authentic, ratchet voices.