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SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE

OCTOBER 27- 28, 2023 | UW TACOMA | TACOMA, WA

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The UW Tacoma community acknowledges that we learn, teach, work and live on the ancestral land of the Coast Salish people. In particular, our campus is situated on traditional lands of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. We recognize that this is a difficult and painful history, and we understand we must play an active role in remembering, not just what happened to Indigenous communities; post settlement, but also the rich history that existed long before colonization. This land acknowledgement is one small act in an ongoing process of honoring the past while working together with local Tribes to build a more inclusive and thoughtful community.

GETTING AROUND

WILLIAM P. HALL

Click here to find us!

WELCOME Dear WALAS Participants: I am honored to extend my warmest welcome to you all at the Second Annual WALAS (Washington Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents) Conference. This year's theme, "Liderazgo Brilliante," perfectly encapsulates our mission to Empower Latino Administrators, Superintendents and all those who work with Latino students and families. Latino leadership in education is a shining beacon of diversity, resilience, and excellence. We gather here to celebrate and empower the brilliant leadership that each one of you represents. The journey to educational equity and inclusivity demands innovative, bold, and inclusive leadership. As we navigate the complex challenges facing our schools, it is crucial to recognize that our diversity is our strength. This conference is an opportunity to learn from one another, share experiences, and forge new connections. Together, we can drive positive change and inspire future generations of Latino leaders.

I encourage you all to engage passionately in the sessions, workshops, and discussions. Let us harness the brilliance of our collective leadership to build a brighter, more equitable future for our students and communities. Thank you for your dedication, your brilliance, and your commitment to Liderazgo Brilliante. Together, we can empower and uplift our schools and students.

Robert Elizondo, WALAS President

MEET OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: Richard Carranza Richard A. Carranza is the Chief of Strategy and Global Development for IXL Learning and the founder and CEO of Carranza Educational Consulting, LLC. He previously served as the Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, the largest school system in the nation. Carranza earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education from the University of Arizona and a Master of Education with distinction in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University. He completed his doctoral coursework in educational leadership through Northern Arizona University and Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Christina Kishimoto Dr. Christina M. Kishimoto is the founder of Voice4Equity LLC. A native of the South Bronx in New York City, she is a bold advocate for social justice and a national leader on education policy and equity matters. Prior to founding Voice4Equity, Christina served as district Superintendent in Hartford Connecticut and Gilbert Arizona, and most recently as the State Superintendent of Education for the State of Hawaii.

WALAS Scholarship Recipients 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!

Carol Elena Govea A 2023 Highland High School graduate, Carol is attending Central Washington University where she is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. She wants to become a bilingual educator so that kids at school feel comfortable and confident when it comes to learning. She recalls her time as a student, attending parent/teacher conferences where interpreters were needed for her parents and them not being able to have direct communication with her teachers. She wants to break such barriers by becoming a bilingual educator.

Litzy Serrano A class of 2023 Mount Vernon High School graduate, Litzy is attending Gonzaga University where she is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Inspired by her advisory & Spanish teacher who would encourage her with “echale ganas,” she wants to become a bilingual educator because of her experience with lack of representation, specifically in her elementary years. She wants future students to have teachers who look like them and have someone they can feel connected to. She hopes to be what her 7-year-old self needed, and make her proud.

ABOUT WALAS The Washington Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators WALAS was formed in July 2019 by a group of Latino administrators and superintendents to increase the number of Latino administrators and educators in order to better serve and represent Latino students in the State of Washington.

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.

MEET OUR BOARD ROBERTO ELIZONDO

DR. SUSANA REYES

SERGIO HERNANDEZ

CELINA RODRIGUEZ

DR. VICTOR VERGARA

Superintendent, Touchet School District

Superintendent, Shoreline School District

Retired School Superintendent

Executive Director of Communications, Ferndale School District

Assistant Superintendent, Edmonds School District

PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT-ELECT

APPOINTED MEMBER: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SECRETARY

TREASURER

DR. ANNETTE BURNETT

JOHN CERNA

DIANN ZAVALA

DR. ISMAEL VIVANCO

Director of Teaching and Learning, Franklin Pierce Schools

Superintendent, Toppenish School District

Director of Special Services & MigrantBilingual Programs, Kiona-Benton City School District

LUCY ESTRADAGUZMAN

Superintendent, Mount Vernon School District

Director of Family Engagement & FCRCs, Vancouver School District

MEMBER-AT-LARGE PUGET SOUND REGION

MEMBER-AT-LARGE CENTRAL REGION

MEMBER-AT-LARGE EAST REGION

MEMBER-AT-LARGE NORTHWEST REGION

MEMBER-AT-LARGE SOUTHWEST REGION

ABOUT US OUR BOARD MEMBERSHIP

EVENTS JOBS

SPONSORS CONTACT US

www.walasedu.org

WALAS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27 REGISTRATION OPENS William P. Hall Lobby

2:00 PM

VENDOR EXHIBITION HALL

2:00-3:00 PM

WELCOME: Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange, UWT Chancellor

3:00-5:00 PM

William P. Hall

OPENING SESSION SUPERINTENDENT PANEL: Sponsored by LeverEd

William P. Hall Bulmaro Ruiz, Superintendent/Principal/Teacher, Roosevelt School District Dr. Concie Pedroza, Interim Superintendent, Tukwila School District Dr. Ivan Duran, Superintendent, Highline Public Schools Dr. Mike Villareal, Superintendent, Hoquiam School District Dr. Pete Perez, Superintendent, Othello School District Dr. Susana Reyes, Superintendent, Shoreline School District Dr. Victor Vergara, Assistant Superintendent, Edmonds School District

WALAS PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION: Music by Ricardo Cardenas

5:30-7:30 PM

Sponsored by MIDAS

KEYNOTE: DR. CHRISTINA KISHIMOTO Sponsored by Curriculum Associates

2:45-4:00 PM

William P. Hall

CLOSING Robert Elizondo William P. Hall WALAS Board President, Robert Elizondo, will provide some closing remarks. Remember to turn in your completed sponsor passport for a chance to win a prize during closing remarks.

4:00 PM

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS WALAS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS MORNING WORKSHOP

10:30-11:45 AM

Leading for Equity Through Dual Language Program Development Kristin Percy Calaff, Executive Director of Multilingual Education, OSPI Teresa Mendoza, Dual Language Program Supervisor, OSPI Mendoza and Percy Calaff will talk about how Dual Language is one of the few programs that has successfully closed opportunity gaps for Latino students and multilingual English learners. They will provide tools and tips for developing a Dual Language program.

Fostering Collective and Solidarity–driven Co-design Principles Leading Toward Educational Justice: Centering Community Voices, Stories and Experiences in the School Improvement Process Omar Escalera, Executive Director of Equity, Partnerships, and Family Engagement, Pasco School District Members will hear about the concept of Solidarity-driven Co-design and how it facilitates the transformation of “traditional” parent engagement events in schools into authentic, community-driven Co-designing. Escalera will also discuss building leadership capacity of marginalized communities and families and including their voices in school improvement plans.

White Educators Must Support and Advocate For Emerging Latino/Latina/LatinX Leaders John Lenssen, Director, John Lenssen & Associates

In this session, Lenssen will talk about how white educators can advocate for and support emerging Latino leaders in schools, the community, and beyond.

Power and Voice: The Status of Women in Executive Leadership Dr. Christina Kishimoto, Founder, Voice4Equity

Dr. Kishimoto will provide a dedicated space for women leaders to discuss gendered practices, career advancement, and how we can leverage networks of women to promote equity of access.

What Do Our Students Say? Learner-Centered, Community-Driven School Design Dr. Andrew Benitez, Executive Director of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership, Highline Public Schools Members will receive insight into the early phases of Highline's secondary school transformation. Benitez will share their approach on promoting genuine engagement from students, families, and the community. From Principal to the Classroom: Learning From Being a Teacher and the Effects on a Principalship

From Principal to the Classroom: Learning From Being a Teacher and the Effects on a Principalship Juan Gaona, Teacher, Mount Vernon School District

Guaona will talk about his unique experience, taking a one-year leave of absence from his principal position to teach kindergarten in his dual-language school where 80% of students identify as Latino.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS WALAS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AFTERNOON WORKSHOP

1:15-2:30 PM

Con Ganas: Latina K–12 Leaders in the Pacific Northwest, Successful Leadership Strategies Dr. Jennifer Hernandez, Educational Consultant, City University Dr. Hernandez will equip Latina leaders with the tools and strategies they need to thrive in their profession and make a lasting impact on the educational landscape.

A New Approach to Leveraging the Comprehensive Needs Assessment to Enhance Latino Student Outcomes Veronica Gallardo, Assistant Superintendent, OSPI Charles Wright, Managing Director, Charles Wright & Associates Gallardo and Wright will share statewide data on Latino students in K-12 schools identified for school improvement, and a new approach to leveraging the Comprehensive Needs Assessment to strengthen systemic and school supports to Latino students in those schools.

Courageous Leadership: Lessons Learned on Leading for Racial Equity Shajaira Lopez, Director of Teaching & Learning, Puyallup School District

Lopez will talk about the leadership strategies that school and district administrators need to adopt in order to lead for racial equity and engage administrators in further defining their roles as equity leaders.

Bi-National Teacher Exchange Program David Rodriguez, Director of Equity & Inclusion, Mount Vernon School District In this session, members will learn about the Bi-National Teacher Exchange Program, the process for hosting teachers from Mexico, and the academic and cultural impact on migrant families. Attendees will get to hear from parents, students, and Bi-National teachers about their experience with the program.

Interactions, Collaboration, and Decision Making Between School and Central Office Level Administrators in Dual Language Immersion Programs Matt Bona, Executive Director of Early Learning, ESD 123

Members will hear from Bona on a study about how central office leaders and school leaders interact and collaborate to make decisions concerning dual language immersion programming in their school district.

Equity Based Policies and Processes Richard Carranza, Chief of Strategy & Global Development, IXL Learning Carranza will talk about the practical implementation of equity-based policies, processes, and leadership initiatives.

NOTES WALAS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

About our sponsors: College Spark College Spark Washington supports the postsecondary dreams of students and their communities through grantmaking focused on dismantling racism in the education system. We engage in this work so all students receive supportive and challenging educational experiences that affirm who they are and prepare them to thrive. Learn more about College Spark at ww.collegespark.org.

Curriculum Associates Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company’s products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students. With the i-Ready Assessment suite, you get the power of both normative and criterionreferenced data, telling a complete assessment story for all students.

About our sponsors: Grand Canyon University Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLCommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Please note, not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. Important policy information is available in the University Policy Handbook at gcu.edu/academics/academicpolicies.php. The information printed in this material is accurate as of October 2023. For the most up-to-date information about admission requirements, tuition, scholarships and more, visit gcu.edu. ©2023 Grand Canyon University 23GOE1024 For information about our programs and scholarships, contact Lauren Edvalson at 602-247-4728 or via email at lauren.edvalson@gcu.edu.

Imagine Learning Imagine Learning provides digital-first PreK–12 learning solutions for core instruction, supplemental support, personalized intervention, online courses, and virtual instruction. Our mission is to ignite learning breakthroughs with forward-thinking solutions at the intersection of people, curricula, and technology. We serve over 15 million students and partner with over half of school districts nationwide. A brimming personalized supplemental and intervention suite saves teachers time by providing targeted skills instruction for ELA, math, computer science, SEL, and more. Imagine Language & Literacy® focuses on literacy and English language development for PreK–6, while Imagine Español®provides support for emergent bilinguals. STEM solutions include Imagine Math and Imagine Robotify. Additionally, Imagine MyPath® provides age-appropriate intervention for K–12. Read more about Imagine Learning’s digital solutions at www.imaginelearning.com.

About our sponsors: Red Comet Red Comet's comprehensive STEM & CTE solution, which begins in middle school, ensures students graduate high school on time and prepares them for college or careers. Our solution will equip them with practical skills that help with certifications highly sought by employers. Red Comet has integrated over 75 credit-bearing vocational and skills-based courses that fulfill high school graduation requirements for electives, with practicum based on Augmented/Virtual reality technology. By incorporating cutting-edge technology into the practicum, students will have a hands-on and immersive learning experience that enhances their understanding of real-world vocational applications. Red Comet has created pathways mapping credit-bearing courses with technology-based practicum for over 100 careers. In addition, by offering access to a vast library of 7,000+ cloud-based mini-courses and 29,000+ videos, Red Comet ensures that students have a comprehensive and well-rounded education emphasizing academic and practical skills and soft skills that prepare them for success in the workforce.

zSpace zSpace is VR for the classroom. We support standards-based, NGSS instruction for STEM and provide CTW training for many pathways that are aligned to industry standards. Learn more about zSpace at www.zspace.com

Gracias, Sponsors!

Passport SPONSOR

Name: __________________________________

Apptegy

Imagine Learning

Dreambox Learning

Western Washington University

Southwest Foodservice Excellence

IXL Learning

Flashlight Learning

City U of Seattle

LeverEd

Grand Canyon University

MIDAS

Red Comet

ZSpace

Curriculum Associates

Renaissance

College Spark WA

Right at School

Ellevation

Visit all of our sponsors and submit your passport for a chance to win a prize!

SPONSORS EMPOWERING LATINO ADMINISTRATORS & SUPERINTENDENTS