Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris is a retired college and university adjunct English and Acting professor and lecturer who taught at Fordham University, Saint Thomas Aquinas College, Westchester Community College, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), University of Maryland-Bowie Campus, and University of the District of Columbia (UDC). Prior to her retirement, Dr. Ross-Norris was also a co-founder and Master Teacher at the School for Excellence [SFE]. In 2002, Dr. Ross-Norris and twelve other educators were commissioned by the New York City Chancellor and South Bronx Superintendent to create SFE. SFE was to become a small public high school that created a positive learning environment in which high school students of low social economic status would be prepared to graduate from high school, attend and graduate from college, and become positive contributors to society. At that time due to SFE’s successes, it became one of the forerunners in the national small public school movement and also became a model for the United States and England’s small schools. Furthermore, SFE was one of the first schools in the United States to receive a Bill Gates Foundation Grant. To further her career as an educator, Dr. Ross-Norris obtained an Ed.D doctoral degree from Walden University in teacher leadership. Her doctoral dissertation is entitled,” Literacy Training in an Urban High School Professional Learning Community.” Dr. Ross-Norris’ research study examined how urban high school teachers created, implemented, and sustained a Professional Learning Community.  As a member of The Center for Civic Education and an educator, Dr. Ross-Norris’ core values encompasses Magnus O. Bassey's statement that said, “Culturally responsive teaching activates civic citizenship of all students…and makes them active participants in the fight for social change.” In other words, Dr. Ross-Norris believes that by using cultivated accessible methodology in civic education, students are better equipped to activate social change that improves their world and the world of others.