Shanique J. Lee, Ph.D.
Dr. Shanique J. Lee is an Assistant Professor of Urban Education at Rutgers Graduate School of Education.
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Dr. Lee received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and her Master of Education in Professional Counseling from the University of Georgia. She completed her doctoral studies in Curriculum and Instruction with
a concentration in Urban Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, which is also where she earned a Graduate Certificate in Antiracism in Urban Education.
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Dr. Lee has over ten years of experience serving in various capacities as an educator, scholar, and advocate for racial equity and justice. Before entering the field of education, she provided therapy to youth and families who were court-ordered to receive services. After realizing the common connection between her clients' involvement in juvenile court and the trauma and isolation that characterized their schooling, Dr. Lee shifted her career to focus on confronting power and oppression in education. She taught high school English for four years before working as a recruiter to diversify the teaching profession through targeted initiatives and innovative pathways. She has also served as a community organizer, new teacher support coach, and teacher educator.
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Rooted in her various experiences, Dr. Lee’s research addresses issues facing highly effective, justice-oriented educators. She employs critical paradigms to study the context of urban teaching, focusing specifically on teacher preparation, Black teacher sustainability, and teachers’ mental health and wellness. Through her work in these areas, Dr. Lee aims to influence the culture of teaching and its impact on students’ overall development and outcomes.