Baruti K. Kafele

Baruti K. Kafele is a bestselling author, award-winning urban educator, and transformational school leader who spent more than 20 years as a public school educator in New Jersey, serving as an elementary school teacher, assistant principal, and middle and high school principal. As a principal, he led successful turnarounds of several urban schools, including Newark Tech High School, which moved from low-performing status to national recognition and was named one of America’s best high schools by U.S. News & World Report; for this work he received the prestigious Milken Educator Award as well as over 150 educational, professional, and community honors. Earlier in his career he was named East Orange School District and Essex County Public Schools Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for New Jersey State Teacher of the Year.

Kafele is the author of numerous books on school and classroom leadership, equity, and culture, including The Aspiring Principal 50: Critical Questions for New and Future School Leaders, The Assistant Principal 50: Critical Questions for Meaningful Leadership and Professional Growth, The Assistant Principal Identity: Protecting Your Leadership Mindset, Fervor, and Authenticity, The Equity & Social Justice Education 50: Critical Questions for Improving Opportunities and Outcomes for Black Students, Is My School a Better School BECAUSE I Lead It?, **The Principal 50: Critical