Sarah J. Trembath, EdD

Sarah Trembath is an academic writing teacher, literature professor, decolonialist, and critical rhetorician. She is currently Interim Executive Director of American University’s Antiracist Research and Policy Center in Washington DC. She is a senior professorial lecturer in the Department of Literature’s Writing Studies Program at A.U., and she teaches critical reading and writing, critical information literacy, African American literature, African literature, and storytelling. Her doctoral work explored the anti-Critical Race Theory movement and colonialist K–12 educational patterns, specifically examining the effects of eurocentrically culturally biased learning on critical thinking as it shows up in the habits of mind of incoming college students.

Dr. Trembath also speaks publicly and publishes regularly on matters of education and social justice. She writes “The Critical Reader” column for the Washington Independent Review of Books’ The Independent and was awarded the American Studies Association’s Gloria Anzaldúa award for her social justice writing and teaching. Her collection of narrative essays on related topics–This Past was Waiting for Me: A Chronicle at Quarter Century (Lazuli Literary Group)–is due out in 2025.

Professor Trembath is the best professor I have ever had. I not only appreciate her willingness to spend time with her students but the time and energy she puts into fostering a supportive and fun learning environment. She is understanding of her students’ needs and is willing to adapt when we present her with some of our problems. She makes me more excited to go out into the world and learn.

a storytelling student

I can honestly say that Dr. Trembath’s class was my favorite class taken in college, hands down. What I found most helpful about her teaching approach was her clear intentionality around different learning styles and accessible pedagogy.

a literature student

Professor Trembath cultivates a safe learning environment where all perspectives are valued and respected. She models respectful inquiry when addressing students. I learned so much from not only the course material, but from watching her navigate our classroom discussions. She prompted me to look at my own biases in a way that was kind and compassionate.

a critical reading student