A L A S
OUR MISSION
To empower Latino educators, both current and aspiring into positions of leadership through mentorship, networking, and professional development. WALAS will impact both educational interests and opportunities of all students in Washington, particularly those of Latino heritage in order to ensure their educational success.
OUR VISION
To create a forum for Latino administrators, educational leaders and other allies serving underrepresented Latino students that promotes equity and access in leadership positions throughout the State of Washington.
OUR GOALS
To promote Latino educators into leadership positions.
To ensure educational equity for all students, especially those of Latino heritage.
To advocate at the federal, state, and local level for equitable educational policies impacting Latino students.
To disseminate data related to the changing demographics and their implications for schools in Washington.
To develop strategic partnerships with organizations throughout the state that acknowledges and supports the accomplishments of Latino youth.
To provide opportunities to build the capacity in the organization and of its members.
DR. SUSANA REYES
Superintendent, Shoreline School District
PRESIDENT
DR. ANNETTE BURNETT
Director of Teaching and Learning, Franklin Pierce Schools
MEMBER-AT-LARGE PUGETSOUNDREGION
DIANN ZAVALA
Director of Special Services & Migrant –Multilingual Programs, Kiona-Benton City School District
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
EAST REGION
SERGIO HERNANDEZ
Retired School Superintendent
APPOINTED MEMBER: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DR. ISMAEL VIVANCO
Superintendent, Northwest ESD 189
PRESIDENT-ELECT
DR. JOSE RIVERA
Assistant Superintendent, Grandview School District
MEMBER-AT-LARGE CENTRALREGION
ROBERTO ELIZONDO
Superintendent, Touchet School District
PAST-PRESIDENT
DR. VICTOR VERGARA
Superintendent, Mount Vernon School District TREASURER
LUCY ESTRADA-GUZMAN
Director of Multilingual and Student Success, Vancouver School District
MEMBER-AT-LARGE SOUTHWESTREGION
CELINA RODRIGUEZ
Executive Director of Communications, Ferndale School District
SECRETARY
MEET
GEORGE FLORES
Dean of Students, Lynden School District
MEMBER-AT-LARGE NORTHWEST REGION
Board
’ S M E S S A G
P R E S I D E N T
On behalf of the WALAS Board, I’m so glad you’re here! These next two days are a chance for us to come together as familia, to connect, learn, and celebrate the work we do for our students, schools, and communities.
Our theme, Empowering Líderes, Elevating Comunidades, Ensuring Equidad, reflects the heart of our mission: to advocate for equity, to elevate the voices of Latino/a leaders, and to ensure that every student and family feels seen, valued, and supported. This mission comes alive through the leadership and support you bring to your districts, schools, and classrooms every single day.
I’m excited for the conversations, keynotes, and sessions ahead. We'll hear from two keynote speakers, Eduardo Chávez and Dr. Gustavo Balderas and engage with leaders from across the state who are doing incredible work in their communities. Each moment here is an opportunity to be inspired, to grow, and to remember the JOY that comes from leading with heart en comunidad.
As you move through the conference, may these two days inspire you, recharge you and remind you of the joy of leading with corazón. Together, we are building a future where leadership is rooted in equity, guided by purpose, and sustained by community, uplifting our students and families each and every day.
Dra. Susana Reyes,
Presidenta de WALAS
Share the Moments
Scan this QR code to upload your photos from the WALAS Conference. Your pictures will be added to our shared gallery so we can all celebrate and relive the highlights together.
Conference Keynote
We are honored to welcome Eduardo Chávez as a keynote speaker at this year’s WALAS Conference.
The grandson of civil rights icon César Chávez, Eduardo is a filmmaker and activist committed to exploring and honoring his family's legacy. His directorial debut, Hailing César, documents his personal journey to better understand his grandfather’s work and sheds light on the continued fight for farmworker rights.
EduardoChávez
Through powerful storytelling, Eduardo brings a fresh and compelling perspective to social justice, cultural identity, and the importance of lifting up the voices of historically marginalized communities. We are thrilled to have him join us and look forward to the inspiration and insight he will bring to our collective mission of Empowering Líderes, Elevating Comunidades, Ensuring Equidad.
Lunch Keynote
Born in Mount Vernon, Washington, and raised in a migrant family, Dr. Gustavo Balderas knows firsthand the power of education in shaping opportunities and futures. His journey reflects the importance of perseverance, community, and the role schools play in creating pathways for success.
For the past 15 years, Dr. Balderas has served as a superintendent in three Western states, working alongside dedicated educators and communities to build systems that prioritize equity, access, and excellence. Dr. Gustavo Balderas
At the WALAS Conference, Dr. Balderas will share how implementing systems of change has helped create stronger and more impactful cultures in the districts he has served, translating into student success inside the classroom. He will also highlight how leadership that reflects the diversity of the students served makes a difference in the direction of school systems, and share the impacts of being Latino in the systems he has led.
C E P R O G R A M
C O N F E R E N
Conference Wing
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10
COMADRES LUNCHEON
Sponsored by Grand Canyon University (pre-registration required)
REGISTRATION OPENS
SPONSOR EXHIBITION HALL
WELCOME:Dr.SusanaReyes,WALASPresident
LEADERSHIPPANEL:
SponsoredbyAmericanReadingCompany
Dr. Concie Pedroza, Superintendent, Tukwila School District
Dr. Maria Lucero, Assistant Supt , Yakima School District
Roberto Elizondo, Superintendent, Touchet School District
Columbia B
2:00 PM
Ballroom Lobby 2:00-3:00 PM Summit Ballroom 12:00-1:30 PM 3:00 PM
3:30-5:00 PM
Claudia Miller, Director, Clover Park School District
Raul Sital, Assistant Supt , Pasco School District
Raquel Martinez, Principal, Pasco School District
WALAS PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION: Music by Tri-Cities Fino
Sponsored by College Spark
5:30-7:30 PM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11
REGISTRATION
HEADSHOT STATION
Courtesy of Franklin Pierce Schools 7:30AM-12:30 PM
BREAKFAST
Sponsored by Imagine Learning
MORNING ENTERTAINMENT: BALLET FOLKLÓRICO XOCHIQUETZAL
Led by: Director Xochitl Palacios
Sponsored by RedComet
OPENING REMARKS
Dr. Susana Reyes, WALAS President
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Eduardo Chavez
Sponsored by Curriculum Associates
MORNING WORKSHOP #1 10:00-10:45
From Sound to Sense: Leadership Moves for Multilingual Learners
Lead presenter: Amelia Larson, Chief Academic Officer, Summit K12
Leading with Data: Supporting English Learners through RTI-Informed Practices
Lead presenter: Dr Amy Jefferis, Senior Director, Assessment Implementation, Curriculum Associates
Collaborative Action Planning: Designing Equity-Focused AI Pilot Projects
Lead presenter: Dr. Carol Lippert, Assistant Vice President, Canyon Professional Development
ATravés De Mis Ojos: Stories of Leadership, Community, and Equity
Lead presenter: Marlene Pérez, Multilingual Learner Program Supervisor, Walla Walla Public Schools
Mariachi & Folklorico as Leadership and Cultural Empowerment: A Student-Led Panel
Lead presenter: Ramón Rivera, Mariachi and Folklorico Director, Mount Vernon High School
O N F E R E N C E
REFRESHMENT BREAK
Sponsored by: City University 10:45-10:55 AM
MORNING WORKSHOP #2
10:55-11:40 AM
Equidad por Diseño: Co-Creating a Shared Vision and Collaborative Work of Strategic Goals with Meaningful Engagement in Culturally-Rich Communities
Lead presenter: Dr. Ricardo Macias, Director of Community Outreach and Welcome Center, Bellevue School District
Anchored in the Purpose: Leadership Considerations for Supporting Multilingual Learners
Lead presenter: Dr. Rocio del Castillo, Assistant Superintendent and Mosaico for i-Ready
Author, Freeport School District 145/Curriculum Associates
Empowering Newcomers and Multilingual Learners to Lead in Their Schools and Communities
Lead presenter: Dr. Jose Enriquez, Founder/CEO, Latinos in Action
Leading for Equity in Dual Language
Lead presenter: Nichole Rodriguez, Director of Multilingual Education, Edmonds School District
Culturally Responsive Executive Leadership - A Framework for Lifting Communities
Lead presenter: Dr. Christina Kishimoto, Former Hawaii Commissioner of Education, Voice4Equity
LUNCH
Sponsored by Classroom Mosaic & Summit K-12
ENTERTAINMENT: MOUNT VERNON HIGH SCHOOL MARIACHI
Led by: Director Ramón Rivera
Sponsored by ZSpace
LUNCH KEYNOTE: Dr. Gustavo Balderas
Sponsored by Graduation Alliance
11:50-1:20 PM Summit Ballroom
Empowering Latine Leaders: Developing Skills for Cultural Competency, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Lead presenter: Dr Melisa Macias, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Bellevue School District
Ensuring Equidad by Empowering Líderes to Plan Strategically
Lead presenter: Dra. Angelie Isern Duimovic, Principal, Renton School District
Líderes Equipados y Empoderados: Understanding the Power of Constructs to Build Belonging
Lead presenter: Dr. Julie Perron, Director of Equity and Dual Programs, Walla Walla Public Schools
Viviendo La Promesa: Operationalizing Vision Through Community and Coherence
Lead presenter: Andrew Benitez, Executive Director, Secondary Design and Pathways, Highline Public Schools
PODER: Latinas In Leadership
Lead presenter: Dr. Concie Pedroza, Superintendent, Tukwila School District
REFRESHMENT BREAK
Sponsored by: IXL 2:15-2:30 PM JOB ALIKE NETWORKING 2:30-3:15 PM
RAFFLE & CLOSING
Dr. Susana Reyes 3:15 PM
WALAS President Dr Susana Reyes: Closing remarks and looking forward
Remember to turn in your completed sponsor passport for a chance to win a prize during closing remarks
BREAKOUT DESCRIPTIONS
All conference breakout session descriptions can be found by scanning this code.
Columbia
Columbia
With your generous donations at last year’s conference, WALAS was able to award two graduating seniors with $1000 scholarships. The scholarship was open specifically to Washington State seniors preparing to become bilingual educators. Learn more about our scholarship recipients below. Thank you for supporting our future leaders!
Lizbeth Camarena
Lizbeth Camarena’s journey toward education began with the encouragement of her high school AVID teacher, who urged her to volunteer and step outside her comfort zone. That advice led her to the Children of the Valley program, where she discovered her passion for working with young learners.
Brooklyn Laughery
Brooklyn Laughery was inspired to pursue education by her middle school English teacher, Mr. McCann, whose passion for literature and belief in his students ignited her own love of learning. Brooklyn has gained hands-on experience working with children through after-school programs and tutoring, where she discovered the importance of meeting students’ individual needs and fostering confidence.
For nearly three years, Lizbeth volunteered at Washington Elementary and in after-school programs, supporting students with homework and early learning skills. Her experiences have deepened her commitment to becoming a bilingual elementary educator, creating classrooms where students feel supported, understood, and inspired to grow. Lizbeth is attending Skagit Valley College as part of her educational journey to become a bilingual teacher S C H O L A R S H I P R E C I P I E N T S
Growing up in a bilingual household, she witnessed firsthand how language can be both a barrier and a bridge. Brooklyn is currently attending Washington State University pursuing a degree in education. Her goal as a future bilingual educator is to create inclusive classrooms where every student feels valued and empowered
Donate!
Scan to purchase raffle tickets! All proceeds support WALAS scholarships for future bilingual teachers Your contribution helps us empower the next generation of educators!
Conference Keynote Sponsor
G R A C I A S S P O N S O R S
WALAS
WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF LATINO ADMINISTRATORS AND SUPERINTENDENTS
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