Brenda Burgo is a first generation college student and co-founder of Urban Ed. She has worked to co-create a transformative, social emotional learning curriculum using the V.I.L.L.A.G.E. concept. In addition, she has been an instructional assistant, secondary teacher, academic coach, program coordinator, professional development administrator, and secondary school site administrator. She has led site and district level professional development. During her twenty-two years in education, she has focused her passion on removing barriers to access. She is also a PhD student in the University of San Diego's Social Justice program. She has been published and her research focuses on state testing and Black student achievement. She currently teaches at UC Riverside in the Teacher Education Program, Ethnic Studies Pathway, where she incorporates, models, and advocates for future teachers to use Transformative SEL, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, and Restorative Practices in their classrooms.