Decoteau J. Irby
Senior Awardee (2024)
Associate Professor, Educational Policy Studies
About
Decoteau J. Irby is an Associate Professor in UIC's Department of Educational Policy Studies. His research explores racial equity-focused school leadership and its potential to improve Black children's academic and socio-emotional experiences and outcomes. Broadly, his teaching and service work focuses on creating and sustaining organizations that contribute to Black people’s self-determined well-being, development, and positive life outcomes. He is Founding Director of UIC's Brother's Teaching Initiative, the author of several books, including Stuck Improving: Racial Equity and School Leadership (2021), a children's picture book Magical Black Tears: A Protest Story (2021), and a co-editor for the volume Dignity-affirming Education: Cultivating the Somebodiness of Educators and Students (2022).