Chávez Background
Emily has lived in Durham for nearly 18 years and has been an education practitioner for over 15 years. She currently works as the Project Director for DREAM, a UNC-Chapel Hill School of Education program created in partnership with DPS to recruit and retain teachers of color and those from underrepresented backgrounds for DPS. Over the course of her career Emily has been an adv
ocate for social justice education and worked to create opportunities for equitable educational access, particularly for students of color, undocumented students, and LGBTQ+ students. Emily has taught and advised middle school, high school, and undergraduate students as well as led professional development on Latin American and Caribbean Studies for teachers around the state of North Carolina. She is the co-editor, along with Dr. Kia Caldwell, of Engaging the African Diaspora in K-12 Education (Peter Lang Publishing, 2020). In addition to these roles, Emily has served on a number of committees and boards, including Safe Schools NC from 2017-2019, which provides resources to educators to better address the needs of LGBTQ youth and which serves many DPS educators each year. Emily also served as a member of and co-chaired the Durham Public Schools Budget Process Advisory Committee in 2016-2018, which sought to align budgetary decisions with district priorities, including racial equity. Throughout her career Emily has held positions that allowed her to directly address social inequities, increase culturally responsive practices, and promote social justice in schools and in the field of education, affecting the lives of many students, families, and educators. Outside of her work, Emily enjoys writing, running, and spending time with family and friends. She has a passion for entertaining and facilitating connection. Emily also enjoys exploring new trails and parks in the Triangle area and beyond. With over 15 years of experience in the field of education, Emily is ready to take on the role of school board member, utilizing what she has learned as a teacher, professional development facilitator, education administrator, and organizational change agent. Emily is a bridge-builder who consistently keeps in mind the experiences, needs, and voices of people, especially those most systematically marginalized, while strategically and collaboratively moving in the direction of our mission and shared vision.
