At the time, Dr. Sleeter did not yet have the tools to fully understand why these differences existed. “Being white myself, I had grown up without much racial literacy,” she reflects. What changed that was her growing connection to students. “As I got into teaching and got to know my students, my commitment to high-quality education for all students developed.”
Dr. Sleeter came to understand that equity in education does not mean treating every student the same. Instead, she says, it means “curriculum and pedagogy that reflect and build on the rich cultural capital students bring.” Her early years teaching in Seattle helped her see how schools could either limit or expand students’ opportunities, and those lessons became the foundation for her later work as a scholar and teacher.
Although her career has spanned decades, Dr. Sleeter consistently centers her work on relationships with students. What first sparked her passion, she says, was simply getting to know them. “I wouldn’t say that I was all that good of a teacher initially,” she admits, “but I became very interested in the kids I was working with.”
That interest never faded. “Since that time, my students have always been at the center of my teaching,” she says. She makes a point to involve students in decisions about the classroom, believing their perspective matters. “Students, being on the receiving end of what I’m doing as a teacher, know what is working for them and what isn’t,” she explains. For her, teaching works best when it is collaborative and rooted in dialogue.
Dr. Sleeter also emphasizes the importance of seeing students beyond the classroom. “The school experience shapes what students reveal of themselves,” she says, noting that many students have talents and interests that school may not recognize. Getting to know students outside of school, she believes, offers a fuller picture of who they are.
When asked what advice she would give to future educators, her guidance is practical and personal. “Don’t forget who you were as a child and an adolescent,” she says. Remembering that perspective, she believes, helps teachers better understand their students. She also encourages educators to “never stop learning, never stop being a student, yourself,” adding that ongoing learning keeps both teaching and curiosity alive.
Dr. Christine Sleeter’s career is a reminder that meaningful change in education often begins with listening to students, to communities, and to one’s own growth as an educator. Her voice continues to influence how teachers think about equity, learning, and what it truly means to serve all students well.
The members of the KDP Laureate Chapter represent the pinnacle of educational leadership—visionaries who have dedicated their careers to transforming classrooms, inspiring educators, and advancing the profession. Their collective wisdom spans decades of innovation, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to the values that define Kappa Delta Pi.
We proudly showcase the remarkable journeys of these distinguished educators, each story a testament to the power of passionate leadership and the enduring impact one educator can have on generations of learners. These are the voices that have shaped education as we know it—and continue to light the path forward.