TEDXSaltLakeCity | Cultural Pedagogy: Educational Equality for Our Youth
Students with diverse backgrounds and cultures are often marginalized during their education because they are exposed to a "one-size-fits-all" curriculum with one predominant cultural bias. Isael Torres challenges this bias and seeks to create educational programs that incorporates diverse perspectives.
audacity of hope - spoken word poem
I’m not asking to be “included” or “empowered”, I am asking to not be oppressed
BIPOC Communities have the political, economic and social structures to thrive, but are consistently rendered vulnerable when “inclusion” into whiteness remains the status quo for BIPOC individuals to gain validity and credibility
“Diversity” is not the problem, the problem is the lack of accountability of whiteness
BIPOC communities demand that before communities of whiteness try to “help” us that they first recognize the harm they consistently perpetuate
I received my M. Ed. from the University of Utah, College of Education in the department of Education, Culture and Society. In 2016, I had the privilege to serve in the Obama White House Internship Program in the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs. In September 2017, I had the opportunity to speak at TEDxSaltLakeCity on the topic of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and the importance of educational justice for youth. I have worked to advocate for education access and equity with underserved communities. I strive to advocate for celebrating diversity and embracing the richness within our community. I was born in Logan, Utah, as a proud son of Mexican immigrants.
-Isael Torres
As a first-gen student and professional, my journey has been one of discovering and overcoming many ‘firsts’. My resume is just a list of what I have done, but does not define who I am. I am more than a test score, more than a title, more than a number. I am on a mission to connect other first-gen students to their best path for their excellence.
Club Director Lied - Boys & Girls Club
October 2021-Present
Family and School Collaboration Specialist
Salt Lake City School District - Meadowlark Elementary
March 2021 - October 2021
Migrant Support Coordinator Utah Health and Human Rights
Aug 2020 - Present
Founder Utah Latinx Youth Symposium
Oct 2017 - Present
Programming Advisor Student Leadership & Involvement, University of Utah
Oct 2017 to Mar 2020
Paraprofessional/Community Liason
Northwest Middle School, Salt Lake School District
Apr 2017 to Oct 2017
Community School Director United Way of Salt Lake
Aug 2016 to Feb 2017
Intern Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs The White House - Obama Administration
Jan 2016 to May 2016
Intern Office of Access and Outreach, Weber State University
May 2015 to Dec 2015
Intern - Student Admission Counselor, Admissions Office, Utah State University
Aug 2009 to August 2013
M. Ed. Education, Culture & Society
University of Utah
Fall 2013 to Spring 2015
B.A. Social Work
Utah State University
Fall 2008 to Spring 2013
Presenter "Diversity" is not the problem: How whiteness has impacted our response to health care access among our BIPOC community Utah Public Health Association, 2021 Annual Conference May 19, 2021
Panelist “My Culture is not Your Costume”, ASUU, University of Utah October 16, 2019
Keynote Speaker Adverse Childhood Experiences Summit, The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation August 16, 2019
Consultant/Educator Social Justice and Diversity Education-Training Utah Clean Energy Summer 2019
Presenter TEDxSaltLakeCity 2017 Cultural Pedagogy: Educational Equality for our Youth
Radio Interview KRCL - RadioACTive July 17, 2017
Article Giving Change a Chance United Way of Salt Lake November 16, 2016
Photographer Sol Studio, LLC Salt Lake City, UT
January 2019
Assistant Soccer Coach Utah Development Academy Salt Lake City, UT
Spring 2019
Chair - Education Committee Utah Coalition of La Raza Salt Lake City, UT
August 2016 to May 2018
Volunteer, Family Program
Juvenile Justice Services + The Point Church Kearns, UT
August 2016 to May 2017
