About Dr. Bertrand
Dr. Shamaine Bertrand is an esteemed Associate Professor of Urban Elementary and Early Childhood Education. Prior to entering into academia, she was an elementary teacher for eight years. Dr. Bertrand holds a Ph.D. in Multilingual/Multicultural Education from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA; a Master of Education degree from University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA; and a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
Dr. Bertrand’s research critically examines how to center Blackness in elementary education, as well as how to address issues of race/racism, class, inequities in both K-12 and teacher education. Dr. Bertrand is committed to preparing preservice teachers to effectively teach Black students.
Dr. Bertrand has published several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She has conducted numerous scholarly presentations, been awarded university and federal grants to support her research, and has won many awards for her impact on education. She is a mother scholar, tenured professor, servant leader, the co-creator and co-host of the awarding winning Black Gaze Podcast, and co-founder of the Institute for Centering Blackness in Teacher Education.
Initiatives
Black Educator Summit
Dr. Bertrand launched the Black Educator Summit in 2024 on the campus of The College of New Jersey. The Black Educator Summit is an annual gathering of Black educators in New Jersey. Black teachers come together to be celebrated, connect, and be filled in a space that was created just for them
Residents for Innovation in Urban Schools and Student Empowerment (RISE) Urban Residency Program
Dr. Bertrand was the director of the RISE Urban Residency Program. This was an 18 month accelerated Teacher Certification & Master of Education program geared to prepare Black and Latine graduates to become teachers in urban schools.
Black Gaze Podcast
Dr. Bertrand is co-creator and co-host (w/ Dr. Kisha Porcher) of Black Gaze Podcast, a podcast about two women in academia, raising questions and breaking down perceptions, from a Black point of view. This podcast is the blackprint for centering blackness in K-12 and higher education. While also, providing a space for Black people in all contexts a space to be liberated, healed, and educated. Click the Black Gaze Podcast on my website for more information on Black Gaze Podcast.
Articles
- Black Gaze Framework: Centering & Celebrating Blackness in Education for Liberation. K Porcher, S Bertrand – Journal of Urban Learning, Teaching, and Research, 2023
- Shifting the gaze to blackness in ELA: Using the black gaze framework in literacy teacher education courses, S Bertrand, K Porcher – Language Arts, 2023
- The Marathon Continues: Black Faculty Awakened & Inspired by Neighborhood Nip to Redesign Community-Engaged Teacher Education Courses, K Porcher, S Bertrand – Equity & Excellence in Education, 2023
Preparing teacher candidates to address anti-blackness and see the assets of black students in clinical practice. SK Bertrand – PDS Partners: Bridging Research to Practice, 2023
The Inequitable Consequences of School Disciplinary Policies on Black Girls in Ohio. T Husband, S Bertrand – Journal of Global Education and Research, 2021
Stop Avoiding the Conversation: Being Antiracist in PDS Networks. QR Bostic II, S Bertrand – PDS Partners, 2021
Using” Photovoice” as a Teaching Tool to Explore Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions of Students from Impoverished Backgrounds. S Bazemore-Bertrand – Journal of Urban Learning, Teaching, and Research, 2021
Teacher educators as disruptors redesigning courses in teacher preparation programs to prepare white preservice teachers. SK Bertrand, K Porcher – Journal of Culture and Values in Education, 2020
Classroom Voices: Using Children’s Literature to Discuss Social Issues in the Classroom. S Bazemore-Bertrand – Talking Points, 2020
The Influence of John Goodlad’s Legacy: Developing a School-University Partnership in an Urban School District. S Bazemore-Bertrand, E Quast, K Green – School-University Partnerships, 2019
# PreparationMatters: Preparing Next Gen Candidates for Diverse Classrooms. SK Bazemore-Bertrand – PDS Partners, 2019
Show & Tell: Elementary Teacher Candidates’ Perceptions of Teaching in High-Poverty Schools. S Bazemore-Bertrand, LJ Handsfield – Multicultural Education, 2019
- “It’s the who and what are you afraid of?” for me: Centering Blackness in teacher education to equip preservice teachers for Black student success. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 2025.
Media
Awards & Fellowships
2023: National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) George C. Orwell Award (Black Gaze Podcast)
2021: David A. Strand Diversity Achievement Award
2020: Illinois State University Campus Hero
2020: Illinois State University Teaching Initiative Award
Speaking Engagements/Professional Development Opportunities
Dr. Shamaine Bertrand is a highly sought after speaker for a variety of organizations, universities, colleges, school districts, and companies.If you are interested in having Dr. Bertrand speak at your event or facilitate a workshop for your university, school, company/organization, district or conference, please complete the form below.
