We are a team of educators who would like to improve the education experience for students who currently don’t see themselves or their communities reflected in their education. Our team includes teachers, behavior analysts, graduate students, and many other professions.
Jason Keeler, MS. BCBA
President and Founder
has worked in special education for 9 years. He received his master’s in behavior analysis from Western New England University, and has worked as a behavior analyst in therapeutic educational programs. He has spent two years serving on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts. His interest to develop this library started with his insertion of celebrating diversity in the classrooms he’s worked in. It is his hope that the use of this library will lead to students from minority and under represented communities never feeling left out of their own education.
Ruchi Khanna, MS. Ed., EDS Behavior Analysis
Treasurer
has been a special education teacher for the last ten years. She has received an EDS in behavior analysis and a masters degree in severe special education from Simmons University, Boston. Ruchi is a certified Equity Facilitator and since 2018 has been co-teaching a course for staff around issues of race and racism, and equity in education. During her career in the public school system she has served on the Diversity Council at various schools. Before moving to the United States, Ruchi worked as an art designer with artisan organizations in India.
Patrick Opran, jd
Secretary
is very excited to be a board member of DCL. Patrick’s background is in law. Patrick has always had a passion for education and has even used his law background to facilitate classroom spaces for at-risk learners with a primary focus on the role of justice, power, and equity as it relates to those experiencing incarceration. Patrick has taught in correctional facilities and high-school classrooms alike. His time abroad working at the Institute that Investigates Communist Crimes in Romania has also shaped his attitudes on cultural awareness and the importance of accurate understandings of people, places, and the past. His passion for empowering others is also evident during his time defending indigent clients at the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau as a Law Fellow. Patrick’s drive combined with his law background makes him a unique asset to the DCL team and he is looking forward to reaching new heights in education and advocacy through this library.