Jose has been involved in teacher education for 27 years as a faculty in both public and private universities (14 years at CSU Dominguez Hills; currently, 13 years at University of Redlands). Prior to his teacher education experience, Jose has been a junior high school classroom teacher. He has served as an associate dean, director of teacher education, and coordinator of credential program. Currently, he is Professor of Literacy and Teacher Education and directs the University of Redlands’ Center for Educational Justice. He co-authored three published books: A Teaching and Learning Framework for Social Justice (2006), Instructional Adaptation as an Equity Solution for English Learners and Special Needs Students (2007), and Who We Are and How We Learn: Educational Engagement and Justice for Diverse Learners (2016). His research agenda includes critical pedagogy and literacy, adaptation pedagogy, achievement gap, and second language acquisition. His most current research work focuses on student engagement and achievement gap and the influence of social and cultural capital, social class, funds of knowledge, and language.

Jose Lalas is currently an elected school board member of the Corona-Norco Unified School District and has served this district as member of the Board of Education for 21 years.