Below are some people I find inspirational in the field of education. Their works spans many areas, but taken together, they form the heart of discussions about the social context of education.
recommended people
Gloria Ladson-Billings
Culturally Relevant Teaching 
James Banks
Multicultural Education 
bell hooks
Gender, Race & Media in Education 
Annette Lareau
Social Stratification in Education |
Donna Ford
Giftedness 
Susan Auerbach
Parental Involvement 
Lisa Delpit
Urban Education |