Monique Matute-Chavarria is an assistant professor of Special Education at New Mexico State
University (NMSU). Before obtaining her Ph.D. in Special Education, she worked with Nevada
Early Intervention Services with children from birth to three with disabilities. Dr. Matute-
Chavarria identifies as a Black mother scholar, and Afro-Latina; therefore, her research focuses
on Black students and families. Her research centers on the intersections of race, family, and
disability. She also researches the use of hip-hop pedagogy practices (i.e., DJing) as a tool for
writing with Black students with and without disabilities.