About

Matt Gonzales, Equity Program Specialist

Matt Gonzales is a multifaceted educator, organizer, facilitator, and policy expert renowned nationally for his leadership in areas including school integration, Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education (CRSE), and combating the School to Prison Pipeline. He spearheads initiatives bolstering grassroots education justice movements both locally in New York City and across the nation. Matt's efforts extend to assisting schools and districts in crafting and implementing policies and tools for advancing education justice. Notably, he played a pivotal role in designing New York City's school integration policy and shaping CRSE policy and implementation. His influence reaches beyond New York City, as evidenced by his participation on the Steering Committee for the National Coalition on School Diversity (NCSD), the Advisory Council for Integrated Schools, and the Board of Directors for the Youth Alliance for Housing. Matt's journey began as a special education teacher at Bancroft Middle School in Los Angeles. He holds a Masters in Education Policy from Teachers College, Columbia University, and obtained his Bachelor's in Urban Education and a Special Education Teaching Credential from California State University, Los Angeles, commencing his educational pursuit at Santa Monica Community College.