Dr. Decoteau J. Irby
Decoteau Irby is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Policy Studies. His research explores how equity-focused school leadership can be used as a lever to improve Black children and youth’s academic achievement and socio-emotional well-being across a range of K-12 educational settings. Dr. Irby’s substantive areas of expertise include: school safety and approaches to violence reduction; improving school discipline policies and practices; culturally responsive leadership; and positive school culture and climate.
Decoteau Irby is the author of two books released in 2021, Stuck Improving Racial Equity and School Leadership, published by Harvard Education Press, and Magical Black Tears: A Protest Story, a children’s picture book illustrated by Dominique Duval-Diop and published by Derute Consulting Cooperative. A third book that he co-edited, “Dignity-Affirming Education: Cultivating the Somebodiness of Students and Educators,” is scheduled to be published April 22 by Teachers College Press.