Organizational Announcements and Statements-9

Council will shape state and national efforts to increase the number of Latino educators as well as other educator diversity initiatives

Boston, MA – Latinos for Education announced today the creation of the National Latino Educator Advisory Council, a new six-member board with representation formed to lift up the voices and efforts of Latino education leaders from Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Tennessee and influence conversations and actions around increasing educator diversity.

The creation of the council is in response to the disproportionately low number of Latino educators represented in national education conversations; members of the council will work to advocate for increased educator diversity at both the state and national level. These inaugural council members consist of CEOs, Executive Directors, and leadership members of regional or statewide organizations and will ensure that educator preparation, development, and mobilization efforts are informed by Latino educators with the goal of growing the profession and creating an accessible pipeline for teachers of color. 

“Latino students will soon make up 30 percent of all students in our public schools, yet Latino educators only represent 9 percent of all teachers and we are working to bring more parity and representation in the educator workforce. In collaboration with our national partners from the One Million Teachers of Color (1MTOC) campaign we have a large goal ahead of us – adding one million more teachers of color and 30,000 leaders of color in the next decade,” said Dr. Feliza Ortiz-Licon, Chief Policy & Advocacy Officer at Latinos for Education. “The expertise and passion of these six diverse leaders will not only help us achieve these goals, but ensure Latino educators and students are represented in the school system and that their voices across the country have a seat at the table.”

The inaugural members include:

  • Vanessa Aramayo – Executive Director of the Alliance for a Better Community
  • Phyllis Hardy – Executive Director of the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education-Northeast 
  • Erika Méndez – Associate Director of Education for the Latino Policy Forum
  • Edgar J. Palacios – President & CEO of the Latinx Education Collaborative
  • Stephanie Parra – Executive Director of Arizona Latino Leaders (ALL) In Education
  • Gini Pupo-Walker – State Director for Tennessee at the Education Trust

“From Kansas City and Tennessee to Phoenix and Los Angeles, these leaders have been doing tremendous work to improve the educational opportunities available to Latino students in their respective communities.  What has been missing is a laser-focused space to collaborate and discuss national issues impacting Latino educators, students, and multilingual learners in the public school system,” added Dr. Ortiz-Licon. “The creation of this council will do just that — unite those at the forefront of change for Latino students and educators in our country and advocate for timely, powerful change.” 

Through its collaborative efforts, the council will help build a comprehensive approach to educator diversity using the experiences and expertise of its members. Members will contribute to national advocacy efforts that amplify Latino voices on behalf of those who are not heard. For more information on the Council, including member bios, please visit [URL – will link to blog].

###

About Latinos for Education:

Latinos for Education is a national education non-profit organization focused on developing, placing, and connecting essential Latino talent in the education sector. The organization is mobilizing a network of skilled education leaders to ensure the voice of students and families is not only heard but factored into decision-making in schools, communities, and education institutions throughout the U.S. The organization also ensures Latino education professionals have access to a nationwide network of peers as well as career and professional development opportunities across the country through the members-only EdCentro network. For more information visit: https://www.latinosforeducation.org.

Media Relations Contact:

Anthony Perez
714-623-2650
[email protected]