Analyzing Children's Picture Books for Themes of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)
Keywords:
justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, JEDI, early childhood educationAbstract
This work represents research conducted by undergraduate students in a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow (SURF) 2024 project at Cal State University led by Dr. Aura Pérez-González.
Author Biographies
Ana Maria Hernandez, California State University Channel Islands
Ana Maria Hernandez is an undergraduate student at CSUCI who will be graduating with her B.A. in Early Childhood Studies in the Spring of 2025. She received her A.A. in Chicano Studies and A.S. in Early Childhood Education at Santa Barbara City College in 2023. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Gamma Beta Phi at CSUCI. She is the proud daughter of immigrant parents from Zacatecas and Guanajuato Mexico. She is a first generation student who dreamed of being a teacher of young children from a very early age. She is also a mother of five and grandmother to Sierra. She is a lifelong learner, living her dream of higher education.
Lizbeth Bello-Torres, California State University Channel Islands
Lizbeth Bello-Torres is an undergraduate student at CSUCI and will be earning her B.A. in Early Childhood Studies in Spring of 2025. She has participated in the Academic Student Success Excellence Team Scholars Program and was part of the SURF program in which she analyzed Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in children's picture books. Born in Guerrero, Mexico and raised in Santa Barbara, California, she is a first generation college student. Lizbeth began her work in Early Childhood Education in 2018 as a volunteer at her son's Preschool. Lizabeth is a mother to Hiram and Bonus Mom to Nicholas. She dedicates all her success and accomplishments to them.
Jennifer Lopez, California State University Channel Islands
Jennifer Lopez is a first-generation Mexican-American undergraduate student at CSUCI and will be graduating in Spring 2025 with a B.A. in Psychology. She received her A.A. in Behavioral Science and A.A. in Psychology in 2022 at Ventura Community College. She is the co-ecological chair of the Hiking Club and is an active member of the CSUCI study abroad program and enjoys promoting the importance of studying abroad. Miss Lopez has studied abroad twice in South Korea, to participate in the language immersion and the cultural psychology course that our partner university, Konkuk University, offers. Her academic interests vary. Her most recent interests is Dr. Perez-Gonzalez's research, analyzing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in children's picture books in hopes of reaching the target audience of educators to promote inclusion and culture in the classroom.
Anna Sanchez, California State University Channel Islands
Anna Sanchez is a first-generation Mexican-American undergraduate student at CSUCI and will be graduating Spring 2025 with a B.A. in Sociology. She received her associates in Sociology, Global and International Studies, and Certificate of Achievement in Associate Teacher at Ventura College. Her goal is to work for a nonprofit after graduation and then go back to school to get her masters in public policy. She currently works as an elementary school crossing guard in her hometown of Santa Paula, CA. Over the weekends she works at her parents' stall at the Ventura College Swap Meet. Most recently she was a part of the SURF program this past summer where she worked with Dr. Perez-Gonzalez in analyzing themes of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in award-winning children's books.
