Molly Siuty is an associate professor of special education and disability justice at Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development and an affiliate of the Institute on Disabilities. Drawing from her experiences as a special education teacher and scholar, Siuty brings a unique lens to social justice in education, advocating for systemic change and community-centered approaches.
The Classroom as a Mirror of Systemic Inequity
Siuty’s journey began in New York City, where she taught in the Bronx and Harlem in various educational environments. It was here that she confronted the inequities faced by students of color with disabilities. Reflecting on her time in self-contained classrooms, she observed: “People assume these settings provide individualized attention and resources, but the reality is far from that. They’re often low-resource spaces that feel more like containment than education.” This realization came into sharper focus when a colleague described these classrooms as “quarantine spaces,” designed to separate rather than support. Siuty recounted, “That term really resonated with me. It highlighted how these classrooms were structured to benefit non-disabled students and adults rather than the students within them.”
Her time in charter schools revealed additional layers of systemic inequity. Practices like “counseling out”—encouraging families of students with disabilities to leave—underscored the prioritization of performance metrics over genuine support. “It was unsettling to see how these systems marginalized students at the intersection of race, socioeconomic status and disability,” she said. These experiences inspired her determination to advocate for inclusive models that highlighted the strengths of every student.
Understanding Intersectionality Through Academia
Driven to understand and address these systemic challenges, Siuty pursued her PhD at the University of Kansas, immersing herself in frameworks such as disability critical race theory and disability justice. These principles, she explained, go beyond traditional disability rights. “Disability justice focuses on collective interdependence rather than individual rights. It’s about creating systems that inherently value disabled people and dismantling the structures that perpetuate inequities.”
Furthermore, central to her work is intersectionality, which is a concept pioneered by Kimberlé Crenshaw , who is a scholar of critical race theory. “Intersectionality helps us understand how racism and ableism compound to disadvantage multiply-marginalized students,” she said. This understanding drives her commitment to social justice and guides her research and teaching.
Facilitating Dialogue and Critical Reflection
Siuty views her role as a facilitator as an instructor. “I aim to spark conversations that challenge students to interrogate their assumptions and see the systemic nature of inequity,” she shared.
She recalled an experience in her teaching when students analyzed disability representation in media. While the assignment encouraged engagement, Siuty recognized an oversight: students often relied on non-disabled perspectives for their critiques. “It was a reminder that even in well-intentioned spaces, we can unintentionally reproduce harmful tropes if we don’t center the voices of those most impacted,” she said. This led her to refine the assignment, emphasizing the importance of incorporating disabled perspectives in critical analyses.
A Partnership with Philadelphia
Siuty sees Philadelphia as a natural extension of her work. The city, known for its diversity and rich history of activism, offers fertile ground for collaboration. “Philadelphia has the highest population of disabled residents among largest U.S. cities, and the advocacy networks here are deeply engaged,” she noted.
Temple University’s resources, coupled with the city’s strong community organizations, create opportunities for meaningful partnerships. “Social justice belongs to the communities we serve,” she emphasized. “My role is to amplify their voices and use my research to support their advocacy efforts.”
Siuty plans to work closely with local organizations and the Institute on Disabilities at Temple, aligning academic work with community-led initiatives. “It’s about leveraging the resources of the university to address real-world challenges and promote collective liberation,” she said.
Building a Path to Justice
Siuty envisions a future where education systems prioritize equity and inclusion. “Social justice in education isn’t about small tweaks; it’s about fundamentally transforming systems,” she stated. “We need to dismantle the structures that perpetuate inequity and rebuild with justice at the center.” Siuty is eager to contribute to this transformation. “I’m inspired by the potential for collaboration and the chance to create lasting change,” she shared. “Together, we can build systems that truly honor and uplift all students.”
View Molly Siuty's faculty profile to learn more.