William Estrada is influenced by his experiences in California, Mexico, and Chicago, which have indelibly shaped his artistic process and pedagogical philosophy. He is currently the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Art Education and an Assistant Professor at UIC School of Art & Art History, and was a teaching artist at Telpochalli Elementary School for 23 years. His work delves deep into the pressing issues of social inequities, the migrant experience, historical amnesia, and the imperative of cultural recognition within communities that have been historically marginalized. Estrada's artistic practice is rooted in documenting and actively engaging with public spaces. He sees these spaces as arenas for amplification, questioning, and connection with both established and organic systems. Through dialogue, artistic creation, and the amplification of existing narratives, he strives to challenge and reframe the understanding of these spaces.

Estrada's approach to both art and teaching is centered on collaborative discourse. He encourages a critical re-examination of both public and private spaces by engaging with existing images, texts, and the political landscape. His roles as a teacher, artist, and cultural worker are intertwined. He draws on academic literature, educational settings, and personal interactions to report, record, reveal, and amplify lived experiences, aiming to foster radical imagination.

Estrada is a sought-after speaker and has presented on numerous panels addressing community programming, arts integration, and social justice curricula. His expertise has been recognized by prestigious organizations such as the Illinois Art Education Association, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Illinois Humanities Council, the Smart Museum of Art, the National Guild of Schools in the Arts, National Art Education Association, Teachers for Social Justice San Francisco, Iowa University, Grand View University, Illinois State University, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Nebraska Art Teachers Association, Illinois Arts Alliance, Chicago Cultural Alliance, Gallery 400, Utah State University, University of New Mexico, Moore College of Art & Design, Columbia College Chicago, and Rhode Island School of Art and Design.

His significant contributions to the field have been acknowledged through numerous awards and fellowships, including the 2016 Teaching Artist Community Award from 3Arts Chicago, the Inaugural 2017 Artist in Residence for the Artist as Instigator Residency Program at the National Public Housing Museum, the 2021 National Leadership Award from the National Guild for Community Arts Education, the Inaugural 2023-2024 Imagine Just Fellow, the 2023-2024 NALAC Catalyst for Change Fellow, was named “The People’s Art Teacher” in The Reader’s People Issue 2023, a 2024-2025 cohort member for the Mural Arts Initiative’s Strength Through Solidarity Initiative, and a recipient of the 2024 3Arts Next Level Award.

Estrada's current research is dedicated to developing community-based and culturally relevant projects that critically examine power structures related to race, economy, and cultural access in contested spaces. He aspires to envision and work towards a more equitable collective future through intentional and sustained collaborations with individuals within their communities.