Third Annual Class of Educators Honored for Completing AASA’s Aspiring Superintendents Academy® for Latino, Latina Leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
James Minichello
703-774-6953
jminichello@aasa.org

San Diego, Calif. – February 15, 2024 – AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is pleased to honor the 2024 class of superintendents and other administrators that have successfully completed the Aspiring Superintendents Academy® for Latino and Latina Leaders. The announcement was made at the organization’s National Conference on Education, in San Diego, Calif.

Members of the academy have engaged in a yearlong professional learning experience with an insightful blend of theory and practice through online webinars and a virtual platform administered by highly skilled, nationally recognized Latino and Latina educational leaders and mentors.

“Kids can’t be what they can’t see. That’s why we’re set on removing barriers to leadership and raising the number of Latino and Latina leaders in high-level educational administration positions.”

“Kids can’t be what they can’t see. That’s why we’re set on removing barriers to leadership and raising the number of Latino and Latina leaders in high-level educational administration positions,” said David R. Schuler, executive director, AASA. “Congratulations to the outstanding individuals graduating from our 2024 Academy. AASA is here to support each and every one of our graduates every step of the way to the superintendency.”

The 2024 AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy® for Latino and Latina cohort graduates are:

• Maria Arroyo, principal, Joliet Public School District 86, Joliet, Ill.
• Rosa Berrelleza, director, Alhambra Elementary School District, Phoenix, Ariz.
• Isaura Cacho, director of student services, Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools, Sacramento, Calif.
• Jeremy Calles, chief financial officer, Tolleson Union High School District, Tolleson, Ariz.
• Carlos Cotto, assistant superintendent of innovation, equity and engagement, Schenectady City School District, Schenectady, N.Y.
• Evelyn Cruz, principal, Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design, Denver, Colo.
• Alma Gonzalez, area executive director, Pflugerville Independent School District, Pflugerville, Texas
• James Jimenez, associate superintendent, personnel support services, Poway Unified School District, San Diego, Calif.
• Vickie Landis, principal, Tolleson Union High School District, Tolleson, Ariz.
• Carlos Lopez, assistant superintendent, Ypsilanti Community Schools, Ypsilanti, Mich.
• Ernest Molina, director II, field operations, Agua Fria Union High School District, Avondale, Ariz.
• Manuel Nunez, assistant superintendent, human resources, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, Monterey, Calif.
• Veronica Ramon, chief support services officer, Lyford Consolidated Independent School District, Lyford, Texas
• Erica Ramos, director, pupil services, Brown Deer School District, Brown Deer, Wis.
• Robert Rodriguez, assistant superintendent, Uniondale Union Free School District, Uniondale, N.Y.
• Mirta Karina Smith, director, equity, diversity and inclusion, McMinnville School District, McMinnville, Ore.
• Michelina Thornton, director, Newark Public School District, Newark, N.J.
• Lisa Tran, assistant superintendent, elementary curriculum and instruction, early childhood, Saginaw City School District, Saginaw, Mich.

The program includes modules and focus areas, including: 

• Knowing Yourself and Your Leadership Strengths and Areas of Growth 
• Leading for Equity with Urgency: Unique Challenges Facing Latino and Latina Superintendents in Confronting Bias, Limited Access and Opportunity, and Inherent Structural Inequities.

For additional information about the Aspiring Superintendents Academy® for Latino and Latina Leaders, visit the AASA website or contact Mort Sherman, AASA senior associate executive director, at msherman@aasa.org.

Regarded as the most comprehensive professional learning and networking event for school superintendents and administrators, AASA’s National Conference on Education addresses the most critical issues affecting public education today, including Live Well. Lead Well. — health and well-being and self-care; redesigning learning; school environment and culture; school safety, finances and operations; and transformational learning and leading.

Click here to access Conference Daily Online for more information about the conference.

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About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.