about us
our mission
To build and support justice-centered communities of practice that transform classrooms
by celebrating and sustaining the identities of all students.
Our work centers and celebrates the many facets of identity.
In that spirit, we’d like to share some of our intersecting identities with you.
Mexican-American
Born and raised on the land of the Potawatomi and the Council of the Three Fires, known to many as Chicago, Illinois
Daughter of Lidia and Roberto and sister of nine siblings
Award-winning educator and veteran of Chicago Public Schools
Wife and mother to two CPS students
Parent of a neurodivergent child
Passionate about equity and nature
mayra almaraz
she/her/ella
Boricua
Born and raised on the land of the Potawatomi and the Council of the Three Fires, known to many as Chicago, Illinois
Daughter of Raymond and Bibi and oldest of four sisters
Award-winning educator and veteran of Chicago Public Schools
Wife and mother of two CPS students
First-generation college graduate
Writer and triathlete
madeline kobayashi
she/her/ella
critical learning collaborative
critical learning collaborative
our name
Our name was inspired by educator Paulo Freire's views of critical pedagogy — the belief that teaching should challenge learners to examine power structures and patterns of inequality. We believe that critical consciousness is the first step toward achieving equity.
And why collaborative? We believe liberatory work must be done in community with others. Our work will always be an invitation to join us in building the classrooms our students need and deserve.
our logo
Our logo combines two symbols that capture the essence of our work.
Tree rings represent the stories of our lives, our histories of survival, our resistance and resilience, and the ways we change while still holding on to the core of who we are.
The sun symbolizes hope and new beginnings at the start of the day and reflection, introspection, and rest at the end.
Together, they communicate our deep commitment to this work, to our students, and to a future where everyone can grow and thrive.
what we believe
Transformation begins with people and partnerships.
Community and identity must inform pedagogy.
Students learn most effectively in classrooms that foster love, learning, and liberation.