CJ Arthur

CJ Arthur (they/them), MAE is the owner of WordHaven BookHouse, LLC (a BookShop & Writing Center in Sheboygan, WI); WordHaven Ignites (Keynotes, Retreats, Trainings, Consulting, Classes, & Workshops), and an author/writer.

Arthur is the 2018/2019 Minnesota State Teacher of the Year, the 2018 Honoree for Minnesotans Breaking Barriers, the 2019 Minnesota Lynx Women’s Spotlight Selection for Leader and Innovator in Arts and Education, the 2019 Minnesota Women’s Press Favorite Leader in Education, and one of Sheboygan County’s 2022 People of the Year. Arthur was also nominated for the Insight’s [People] of Influence in the New North award in 2023.

Arthur’s TED-Ed Talk: Educators Must Be More Than Allies was released in January of 2020 and their co-written chapter, “Impact of Trauma on Our Youth," is published in the book, Flip the System: How Teachers Can Transform Education and Save Democracy.

They have taught High School English, instructed Undergraduate and Graduate level Education courses at Augsburg University, consulted and instructed on Equity, given keynotes and presentations, and facilitated workshops and retreats. One of their professional highlights was to help design, open, and run an Alternative High School: Tokata Learning Center in Shakopee, MN, from 2012-2019.

They run an online support group for Educators in the Rainbow Community and an online Equity Advocacy Group. They have also organized and participated in national protests against discrimination, prejudice, and systems of oppression.