Bio

Education is freedom.

My life’s work is to help children feel seen, respected and understood. My activism is intimately connected with teaching because both are who I am, not just what I do. Travelling through Mexico, Europe, Canada, Iceland and South America has emboldened that philosophy. Wherever I’ve been, my mission is to meld the best practices in literacy instruction with librarianship, transforming education along the way.

Photo credit: Megan Alvarez

Photo credit: Marcelo Argolo

I am a reflection of those around me.

I have been awarded the 2020 NCTE Colorado Affiliate Teacher of Excellence award, the same year I was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker. In addition to individual projects I undertake, I’m a board member for the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE (ALAN), and The Book Love Foundation. I also serve teachers as a member of the Educolor Collective Steering Committee. And I co-founded #DisruptTexts 2018.
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Photo credit: Megan Alvarez

Lessons that never fade

As a nationally-recognised teacher-librarian in Denver, Colorado, I take a variety of approaches to instruction and content creation that are sure to engage and inspire. From issues of race and gender to equity and access in children’s literature, I support individuals and organizations working to empower and liberate learners of any age. I believe students should learn to write for a real audience, preparing themselves for public discourse. But additionally, it’s crucial for teachers to lead by example. That’s why you can find my work on NPR, PBS, Al Jazeera, KQED, Rethinking Schools, Learning For Justice magazine and many more publications that unpack and explore the heart of social issues.
JULIA E. TORRES is a veteran language arts teacher and librarian in Denver Public schools. She is a teacher/activist committed to education as a practice of freedom.
Her practice is grounded in the work of empowering students to use Language Arts to fuel transformative resistance and social progress.
Julia has been awarded the 2020 NCTE Colorado Affiliate Teacher of Excellence award chosen as a 2020 Library Journal Mover and Shaker, and serves educators as a member of the ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE) Board of Directors, Educolor Collective Steering Committee member, Book Love Foundation Board Member and Co-founder of #DisruptTexts.

Get in touch

Email: julia@juliatorres.net
Do you have a burning question or think we’d work well together? Send me a message here.