Faculty

Ursula S. Aldana is an Associate Professor in the Catholic Educational Leadership (CEL) Program at the University of San Francisco. Her research focuses on K-12 teaching and leadership with regard to issues of equity and access for racially/ethnically and linguistically diverse students. She has conducted a range of studies focusing on language policy and practice; innovations in Catholic schools (elementary and high school); and the sociocultural competencies of teachers and students. Motivated...

Professor Bleasdale is an associate professor and faculty coordinator of the Catholic Educational Leadership program in the School of Education. Born and raised in England by parents who were both educators, she knew at an early age that teaching was her vocation. She has lived and taught in the UK, the Bahamas, and now the US, and her career has been primarily in K-12 education, serving as a high school administrator focusing on equity and inclusion through personnel and student development.

Noah Borrero is a professor in the teacher education department, with a focus in urban education and social justice. He teaches courses in bilingual/bicultural education, teaching for diversity and social justice, critical pedagogy, and action research. Professor Borrero's scholarship focuses on promoting equity in schools through focusing on students' and teachers' cultural assets.

After earning a doctorate from Stanford University in 2006, that same year Professor Borrero helped develop the...

Patrick Camangian, PhD is a professor of Teacher Education at the University of San Francisco. Patrick’s interdisciplinary research on humanizing education intersects critical and culturally relevant pedagogy, critical literacy, and health science research. Patrick pursues these areas of research to improve teacher quality, capacity, and retention, as well as to inform policies and practices impacting urban schools and communities. He has been working in schools since 1997, continuing in the...

Sarah Capitelli came to USF from Stanford where she completed her PhD in Educational Linguistics. Before her work at Stanford, Dr. Capitelli taught elementary school for seven years, two in Venezuela and five in East Oakland in a Spanish-bilingual classroom. She is particularly interested in better understanding and improving conditions for learning and teaching in linguistically segregated schools. She is an Associate Professor with USF's Teacher Education program.

Helen Maniates, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education and coordinator of the Master of Arts of Teaching Reading Program in the School of Education at the University of San Francisco. As a community engaged scholar, her work addresses both “schooled” literacy and out-of-school literacy practices. She works in partnership with local community-based organizations to provide an annual summer reading program for K-8 students that addresses summer learning loss. Her research projects...

Dr. Farima Pour-Khorshid was born and raised in the Bay Area where she later taught at the elementary grade levels in her community for over a decade. She has supported educators locally, nationally, and internationally through her roles as a university professor, teacher supervisor, educational consultant, and community organizer. She is committed to abolition and healing-centered engagement within and outside of the field of education. Much of her work is rooted in healing centered initiatives...

Professor Ruchi Rangnath received a doctorate degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is a Bay Area native and has taught in elementary schools across San Jose and New York City. Her research focuses on critical literacy, humanizing practices, Ethnic Studies, and social justice teaching and learning in elementary classrooms.

Her recent books include Planting the Seed of Equity: Ethnic Studies and Social Justice in the K-2 Classroom, Preparing to Teach Social Studies for Social...

Dr. Duffy’s primary focus and areas of interest are Education for justice, Catholic social thought, and Jesuit Mission and Identity. Dr. Duffy has held multiple roles during his tenure at USF including Director of Social Justice Programs in University Ministry, Director of Joan and Ralph Lane Center for Catholic Studies and Social Thought, Associate Dean at the School of Education, and Director of the McGrath Institute for Jesuit Catholic Education. Additionally, Duffy has extensive experience...

Judith (Judy) Pace is Professor of Teacher Education in the School of Education at the University of San Francisco. Her scholarship examines classroom teaching and curriculum and its relationship to diversity, democracy, and sociopolitical contexts. She has a Fulbright Global Scholar award for 2023-2024 to teach and conduct research at university-based teacher education programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and South Africa.

Dr. Pace has published four books, numerous research and practitioner...