Ben Bruhn

Ben Bruhn is an educator, father, and community builder rooted in the Portland, Oregon area. With over a decade of teaching experience, he currently serves as a social studies teacher at an alternative high school and as an adjunct instructor at Portland State University, where he co-teaches social studies methods. Ben’s approach to education is deeply relational and justice-driven—shaped by his early humanitarian work and a lifelong commitment to disrupting systems of harm from the inside out.

Ben’s journey as a white, male educator has been marked by a courageous and continuous process of reflection, accountability, and transformation. He’s committed to the hard and heart work of rehumanizing education—within himself, his classrooms, and the broader systems he engages. He amplifies the insights of others through curriculum design, equity workshops, writing, and mentorship, and has spent the past five years helping to lead district-wide equity initiatives that are now gaining traction across his county.

In the Fellowship, Ben is seeking a space to reconnect, replenish, and co-create alongside kindred educators. He brings deep humility, a passion for meaningful connection, and a powerful vision for learning rooted in joy, liberation, and community. His hope is to further integrate healing-centered practices into his leadership and teaching, while exploring new ways to sustain his work and nourish his spirit—both for himself and for the communities he serves.