Michele Lamons-Raiford is a 2026-2027 California Educator Diversity Action Network (CEDAN) Educator Leader. She is an educator, new teacher mentor, advocate, author, and consultant with over 24 years of experience teaching English and ASL in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. She also serves as an adjunct instructor at Solano Community College for 18 years. Michele holds a BA and MA in English from CSU Sacramento and teaching credentials from CSU East Bay. A dedicated wife and mother of a neurodiverse son, Michele advocates for marginalized communities, especially in education. Michele is the author of six children’s books on autism and an educational anthology, The Education Pandemic: Chronicles of a Black Teacher in America. She also writes for The Educator’s Room on amplifying student and teacher voices, education, policy, and advocacy. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the following:
- Teaching Award | 49ers/Dr. Harry Edwards Follow Your Bliss 2021
- Teaching Award | Carlston Family Foundation 2019
- Top 10 Claes Nobel Educator of the Year | National Society of High School Scholars 2018 & 2021
- Contra Costa County Office of Education Teacher of the Year 2010
- West Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year 2010
- Warren W. Eukel Teacher Trust Award Winner 2007
- The Ed Fund Teaching Excellence Award 2007
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