Da'Shay Templeton

Da'Shay Templeton is an Assistant Professor in Educational Leadership at California Lutheran University's Graduate School of Education. Her research focuses on critical quantitative and qualitative analysis of racial and social stratification in education, particularly school discipline disparities affecting marginalized groups. She employs experimental designs and critical theories (Critical Race Theory, TribalCrit, DisCrit) to examine systemic inequities.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Higher Education & Quantitative Methodology, Florida State University (2023)
• M.A. in English with Teaching Certificates, San Francisco State University (2015)
• B.A. in English, California State University Northridge (2012)
• Transfer coursework at College of the Canyons (2006-2010)

Research Focus: Dr. Templeton investigates how psychological processes and public policies perpetuate educational inequities, focusing on school discipline, corporal punishment, and COVID-19 impacts. Her work centers on Black, Indigenous, disabled, and gender-expansive youth using mixed methods. Current projects include experimental studies on racial bias in discipline practices and theoretical development of Black Disability Racial Threat Theory.

Publication Trends: Her recent articles (2022-2025) demonstrate strong emphasis on experimental research in educational discrimination, critical theoretical frameworks, and policy analysis. Dominant themes include school criminalization, trauma studies, physical education equity, and anti-racist interventions in higher education.

Awards & Honors:

• Ford Dissertation Fellowship (2022)
• PEO International Scholar (2022)
• AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship (2022)
• Scholars Strategy Network Fellow (2025)
• Multiple Florida State University leadership awards

Advising & Grants: Dr. Templeton chairs 10 quantitative dissertations and has secured significant funding including Helping Hands' Social Justice Awards ($48K), AERA grants ($27.5K), and multiple California Lutheran University research grants. Her teaching emphasizes critical pedagogy, open educational resources, and apprenticeship models.