The award highlights professors who are doing powerful education-based social justice work in their classroom or community. Nominated by a student, Erika Castano, McAllister is described as 鈥渁n example of as a nurturing professor and compassionate human being.鈥 Castano writes, 鈥淎s a non-traditional student, I thought that I鈥檇 never be able to graduate or get a degree. I asked her if I鈥檇 be able to wear 鈥渁 pointy hat and a fancy robe.鈥
She smiled and said, 鈥淥f course! You mean cap and gown, right?鈥 Then she said that she believed in me, and she would be at my graduation. We had this conversation last year and I鈥檓 graduating this Spring 鈥17. 鈥
Congratulations, Linda! For more information about Teach 4 Social Justice and the Thank A Teacher for Social Justice award, go to