Saccucci, Brent
Instructor (Term)
- Phone
- (403) 329-2185
- brent.saccucci@uleth.ca
Office Hours
By appointment (virtual or in-person)
About Me
I am first and foremost a teacher, and love that I keep learning what it means to teach and teach well. I believe whole-heartedly in the transformative power of education for a better social world, and crucial to that is developing classrooms that centre authentic dialogue, generative discomfort, and radical relationality. As a faculty member in the Faculty of Education here at the University of Lethbridge, I teach our awesome education students in the social, cultural, and philosophical foundations of education -- illuminating how philosophical inquiry, democratic debate, and Socratic dialogue can help us in answering vital questions for teachers today, like "Can classrooms really be about relationality when capitalist individualism pervades the norms of school?" and "Are there any circumstances where teachers should break a government's law?" or "Do we have a school system rooted more in fear, or in love?". Outside the electric atmosphere these questions bring into classroom teaching, I lead the inaugural Social Change in Schools Cohort, the first of it's kind at the UofL where we bring veteran and new teachers across Southern Alberta together equipping them with leadership and advocacy skills to enact change in their schools and communities.
Before coming to UofL, I worked as an Adjunct Professor of Social Justice Education at the University of British Columbia, and taught literacy education to student-teachers at the University of Alberta. Also at the Faculty of Education at the UofA, I spent some of my most formative years working at the fYrefly Institute for Gender & Sexual Diversity, North America's largest 2SLGBTQ+ teaching and research centre in a Faculty of Education. There I led research and education programs in schools and communities across Alberta in equity and anti-homo/transphobia education. I continue the same passion for social change and democracy in Alberta education as an Affiliate Fellow with the Canadian Institute for Far-Right Studies, Affiliate Faculty with the Centre for Feminist Research, and Research Fellow in the Department of Philosophy's Critical Thinking & Citizenship Engagement Lab. I am still a regular and active consultant in churches, rural towns, and schools across southern Alberta leading dialogue in gender and sexual diversity across a myriad of faiths, cultures, and belief systems.
In K-12 schools, I have been a teacher in all divisions -- elementary, middle, and high school -- and have also worked as a school guidance counsellor, literacy interventionist, and district-wide equity consultant. One of my career highlights was working as a high school English & Social Studies teacher at LCI and equity and diversity consultant with Lethbridge School Division. Like many of you reading this, I have traveled and worked in many places, but Alberta classrooms remain some of the most amazing places I've been on earth.
My passion has always been, and will always be, teaching for social change -- bringing to life the sacredness of learning by asking difficult questions about how humans might be better together. Time spent learning with me is relational and democratic, reflective, and has a good amount of critical and complex questions (often without answers). More than anything, my classroom is a community -- we tend to laugh a lot, share stories, and make some pretty special relationships along the way. As many of my philosophy and ethics students know, my own teaching philosophy is rooted in radical love (which I promise isn't as esoteric as it sounds).
Don't be shy to reach out: I’ve always got time to connect with students, teachers, staff, and faculty to see how together we can transform education.
Current Research
As a scholar-practitioner, I see my teaching and research intertwined. My classroom doubles as a learning lab where learners can make mistakes, fail, and try out new pedagogical ideas for social change. My teaching-research areas fall into two related domains:
Social Change in Curriculum & Pedagogy: Classroom pedagogies for pluralism and belonging, esp. dialogue across ideologies and religions; democratic and neo/Socratic teaching; the sociology of assessment, curriculum, and knowledge; neo/liberalism, institutional power, and teacher activism/ethics
Publications
Select Publications
• Saccucci, B. F. (Accepted, in press). The Anti-Essay: Epistemology, equity, and queering colonial academic form. Janus Unbound: Journal of Critical Studies, 6(1). Published by Memorial University of Newfoundland.
• Whitehead, J., & Saccucci, B. F. (Accepted, in press). Indigeneity, queerness, and Two-Spirit ontologies: An interview with Joshua Whitehead. Atlantis: Journal of Critical Studies in Gender, Culture, and Social Justice. Special Issue on ‘The Indigenous New Wave Movement: Gender and Sexuality in Cultural Production’, 47 (1). Published by Mount Saint Vincent University (Halifax).
• Whitehead, J. & Saccucci, B. F. (Chapter accepted, in press). Conceptualizing Two-Spirit ontology and epistemology beyond colonial discourse: An interview with Joshua Whitehead. In Delgado, L., Ferland, N., & Wilson, A. (Eds.), Queering Our Classrooms and Communities: Reimagining Indigenous Education.
• Saccucci, B. F. (Accepted, in revision). Curriculum censorship in the 'province of the severely normal'. In A. Eizadirad, A. M. Beals, & F. Munger (Eds.), Addressing the roots of violence: Pathways and possibilities for thriving communities. Routledge.
• Saccucci, B. F. (Eds). (2026). Gender & Sexuality in Education: Perspectives across Religions, Cultures, & Classrooms. Open Access Alberta Textbook [with University of Lethbridge Libraries].
• Saccucci, F. & Saccucci, B. F. (Eds). (2026). Teaching through TikTok, YouTube, & Moodle: Exploring multimedia and learner engagement of educational nano-videos. Pedagogical Inquiry and Practice, 2 (1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.31542/yetf5t91
• Saccucci, B. F. (2024). ‘What knowledge is of most worth?’: A sociopolitical analysis of creative literacies & research-creation in education. English Language Arts Journal, 4 (1).
• Saccucci, B. F. (2023). The teacher’s tomatoes: The mess of queer pedagogy in the classroom. English Language Arts Journal 3 (1).
• Saccucci, B. F. (2021). Learning in and through the queer theory sketchbook. ZINES: The International Journal of DIY Media. [Special Issue on Feminist and Queer Zines in a Transglobal World] 2 (1). pp. 41-47.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2021). Learning in and through the queer theory sketchbook. ZINES: The International Journal of DIY Media. [Special Issue on Feminist and Queer Zines in a Transglobal World] 2 (1). pp. 41-47.
• de Oliviera Jayme, B., & Saccucci, B.F. (2020). High heels, empty bottles and other interesting pedagogical artefacts mediating social movement learning. [Conference Proceeding]. Journal of the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies 18 (1). 99-100.
• Scalzo, M., Fillion, J., Kerr, D., Rude, D., Skinner, D., Saccucci, B. F., … & Wickstrom, M (2016). The PRISM Toolkit for safe & caring discussions about sexual and gender minorities. Alberta Teachers’ Association. Retrieved from https://teachers.ab.ca/sites/default/files/2023-05/PD-80-15e_PRISM.pdf
• Saccucci, B. F., & Ayache, M. (2013). On being (un)popular, pedagogical, and in the Prairies: The educative capacity of participatory social justice theatre in Canada. alt.theatre: cultural diversity and the stage,11 (3). Teesri Duniya Theatre Publishing.
Select Presentations
•Saccucci, B.F. (2026, May 30). Dismantling political polarization between Conservative Christians and LGBTQ+ Liberals. Public Lecture for the Dept. of Philosophy’s Idea Store Festival. University of Lethbridge.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2026, April 12). From political division to personal dignity: How schools and classrooms can prioritize Two-Spirit, Queer, & Trans thriving. Mental Health in Schools Summit, Werklund School of Education (University of Calgary), Banff, AB.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2025, April 29–30). Ungrading: Is it really possible? An equity approach to resisting the ranking, rating, and sorting of students. Annual SPARK Teaching Symposium, University of Lethbridge.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2025, March 28). Pedagogy of the Oppressor: Trans pedagogies in Alberta’s Bible Belt. Moving Trans History Forward Conference, University of Victoria.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2025). De/grading: Rejecting the tyranny and oppression of ranking, rating, and failing our students. South Western Alberta Teachers’ Convention Association (SWATCA).
• Saccucci, F., & Saccucci, B. F. (2025). Educational short (nano) videos’ preferred length, content, pace, platforms & voiceovers for micro-learning. Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education (CSSHE), Congress 2025.
• Callaghan, T., Shabtay, A., Lee, I., & Saccucci, B. F. (2019, April 9). Fighting for Catholic School Gay-Straight Alliances: Youth influencing education policy in Ontario, Canada. AERA Annual Meeting, Division G: Social Contexts of Education, Toronto, ON.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2018, November 23). Poetic interventions in queer youth mental health. Arts in Education Conference, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto.
• Shabtay, A., Chang, E., Brendel Horn, E., Nelson, B., McKenna, M., Rhoades, R., Ayache, M., & Saccucci, B. F. (2018, October 13). Theatre-based activism: Theories and methods in action [Panel presentation]. Art as an Agent of Social Change Conference, McGill University.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2017, November 15). 1 in 10: Queer teachers in multi-religious and multicultural schools. Touchy Subject: Gender and Sexuality in Schools Conference, OISE, University of Toronto.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2017, June 4). Queer educational activism in the province of the “Lake of Fire”. Youth, Theatre, & Resistance Conference, Young People’s Theatre, Toronto, ON.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2026, April 12). From political division to personal dignity: How schools and classrooms can prioritize Two-Spirit, Queer, & Trans thriving. Mental Health in Schools Summit, Werklund School of Education (University of Calgary), Banff, AB.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2025, April 29–30). Ungrading: Is it really possible? An equity approach to resisting the ranking, rating, and sorting of students. Annual SPARK Teaching Symposium, University of Lethbridge.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2025, March 28). Pedagogy of the Oppressor: Trans pedagogies in Alberta’s Bible Belt. Moving Trans History Forward Conference, University of Victoria.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2025). De/grading: Rejecting the tyranny and oppression of ranking, rating, and failing our students. South Western Alberta Teachers’ Convention Association (SWATCA).
• Saccucci, F., & Saccucci, B. F. (2025). Educational short (nano) videos’ preferred length, content, pace, platforms & voiceovers for micro-learning. Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education (CSSHE), Congress 2025.
• Callaghan, T., Shabtay, A., Lee, I., & Saccucci, B. F. (2019, April 9). Fighting for Catholic School Gay-Straight Alliances: Youth influencing education policy in Ontario, Canada. AERA Annual Meeting, Division G: Social Contexts of Education, Toronto, ON.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2018, November 23). Poetic interventions in queer youth mental health. Arts in Education Conference, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto.
• Shabtay, A., Chang, E., Brendel Horn, E., Nelson, B., McKenna, M., Rhoades, R., Ayache, M., & Saccucci, B. F. (2018, October 13). Theatre-based activism: Theories and methods in action [Panel presentation]. Art as an Agent of Social Change Conference, McGill University.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2017, November 15). 1 in 10: Queer teachers in multi-religious and multicultural schools. Touchy Subject: Gender and Sexuality in Schools Conference, OISE, University of Toronto.
• Saccucci, B. F. (2017, June 4). Queer educational activism in the province of the “Lake of Fire”. Youth, Theatre, & Resistance Conference, Young People’s Theatre, Toronto, ON.
Degrees
• Ed.D. — Social Justice Education, Western University (in progress)
• M.A. — Curriculum & Pedagogy / Sexual Diversity Studies, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto
funded by SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship
• M.Ed. — Secondary Education / Curriculum Studies, University of Alberta
• B.Ed. — Secondary English Education, University of Alberta
• M.A. — Curriculum & Pedagogy / Sexual Diversity Studies, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto
funded by SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship
• M.Ed. — Secondary Education / Curriculum Studies, University of Alberta
• B.Ed. — Secondary English Education, University of Alberta
Personal Website
In The Media
• Ferris, D. (2026, March 24). Faculty of Education program empowers equity leaders in classrooms and communities. University of Lethbridge News (UNews). Retrieved from https://stories.ulethbridge.ca/social-change-cohort/
• Clark, C. (August 25). Episode #115 – Brent Saccucci: Ungrading, Equity, & the Heart of Education. Mr. Clark After Dark [Video Podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeoq1hy9jV8
• Vandela, K. (2025, April 20). Pride’s grungy younger sister ft. Brent Saccucci (YQL). Queer in Alberta: A Telus StoryHive Show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yT14XsWeTA
• Alarcon, N. (2025, January 28). Anti-racist zine pages from Lethbridge. John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights Newsletter. https://www.jhcentre.org/news-and-events/2025/1/28/not-in-my-back-yard-zine- pages-from-lethbridgenbsp
• Francine, B. (2022, April 13). Have you met… Brent? YouAlberta Community Blog. https://www.ualberta.ca/youalberta/2021/04/have-you-met-brent.html
• Vardabasso, N. (2021, October 21). What is the literacy of our lives? EduCrush Podcast. https://teachbetter.com/educrush-podcast/brentsaccucci/
• French, J. (2016, April 12). Alberta’s sexual health education doesn’t make the grade, critics say. Edmonton Journal. http://edmontonjournal.com/health/sexual- health/albertas-sexual-health-education-doesnt-make-the-grade-critics-say
• Varela, I. (2015, May 8). Meet Mr. Saccucci. Illuminate – Faculty of Education Magazine. http://www.illuminate.ualberta.ca/content/meet-mr-saccucci
• Clark, C. (August 25). Episode #115 – Brent Saccucci: Ungrading, Equity, & the Heart of Education. Mr. Clark After Dark [Video Podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeoq1hy9jV8
• Vandela, K. (2025, April 20). Pride’s grungy younger sister ft. Brent Saccucci (YQL). Queer in Alberta: A Telus StoryHive Show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yT14XsWeTA
• Alarcon, N. (2025, January 28). Anti-racist zine pages from Lethbridge. John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights Newsletter. https://www.jhcentre.org/news-and-events/2025/1/28/not-in-my-back-yard-zine- pages-from-lethbridgenbsp
• Francine, B. (2022, April 13). Have you met… Brent? YouAlberta Community Blog. https://www.ualberta.ca/youalberta/2021/04/have-you-met-brent.html
• Vardabasso, N. (2021, October 21). What is the literacy of our lives? EduCrush Podcast. https://teachbetter.com/educrush-podcast/brentsaccucci/
• French, J. (2016, April 12). Alberta’s sexual health education doesn’t make the grade, critics say. Edmonton Journal. http://edmontonjournal.com/health/sexual- health/albertas-sexual-health-education-doesnt-make-the-grade-critics-say
• Varela, I. (2015, May 8). Meet Mr. Saccucci. Illuminate – Faculty of Education Magazine. http://www.illuminate.ualberta.ca/content/meet-mr-saccucci
Expertise
Social, Cultural, & Philosophical Contexts of Education
Critical Curriculum Studies, Critical Pedagogy, & Teacher Development