Latino Leaders

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a riveting conversation with his featured guest — Paulina Lerma-Bañuelos . Paulina is an award-winning educator, author, and 2023 Colorado Teacher of the Year finalist with more than 18 years of experience in education.  She is a proud Tejana and an assistant principal.  Paulina is the creator of the Chingona Spirit Compass, which empowers leaders to embrace their cultura...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a delightful conversation with his featured guest — Liteove Rodriguez-Tighe . Lita is an educational consultant specializing in early childhood education.  She was the director of early childhood education for the Passaic Public Schools in New Jersey.  Lita successfully led a preschool program whose classrooms are featured on the New Jersey Department of Education website...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an enlightening conversation with his featured guest — Erick Casallas . Erick is a veteran educator with 25 years of experience who currently serves as the assistant superintendent of the English Language Learner (ELL) division for the Clark County School District in Nevada.  He is a dedicated advocate for all students, with specialized expertise focused on supporting stu...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an enriching conversation with his featured guest — Christina Hirales . Christina is a veteran educator and school leader who leads with purpose to help educators and students thrive.  She has shared life with her best friend and the love of her life for 34 years and is a proud mother of seven amazing children.  Christina champions equity and access for all students while...

Every leader has a story.  But how do culture, heritage, history, and language shape the educators leading our public schools? Welcome to Latino Leaders, named one of the best podcasts in the world and a Silver Winner in the 4th Annual Signal Awards.  Hosted by Pablo Muñoz—a veteran educator with 30 years of experience, including 16 years as a superintendent—this is the premier podcast dedicated t...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a thought-provoking conversation with his featured guest — Steven Almazán . Steven is the director of policy and partnerships at the EdVoice Institute, an education advocacy organization focused on reshaping public education in California.  He has spent his career advancing policies and leading coalitions at the local, state, and national levels that improve opportunities...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an extraordinary conversation with his featured guest — Laura Morales . Laura is a clinical neuropsychologist, bilingual educator, author, and the founder of the LAJAM Education Foundation.  Her work connects neuroscience, bilingual literacy, and inclusive educational design.  Laura is a Texas Master Teacher and creator of LUZ , a neurodidactic Spanish literacy framework....

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a wonderful conversation with his featured guest — Ana Samaniego . Ana is a passionate educator with 30 years of experience, currently in her ninth year as superintendent of the Douglas Unified School District in Arizona.  She has also served as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent.  Ana has dedicated her career to advancing student success and strengthening...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an open, honest, and vulnerable conversation with his featured guest — Adela Jorge . Adela is an educator and advocate whose work centers on equity, multilingual learners, and student success.  She leads with courage, authenticity, and a lifelong commitment to lifting others as she rises.  Adela is the principal of Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy and president-elect o...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a thought-provoking conversation with his featured guest — Yvonne Williams . Yvonne manages a team of 35 instructional coaches at the Wisconsin Center for Education Products and Services (WCEPS) and leads support for a consortium of WIDA partner districts.  She helped design and launch a new coaching program for domestic and international schools.  Yvonne coordinates coll...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a thought-provoking conversation with his featured guest — Fiorella Cabrejos . Fiorella is a master principal at the New York City Public Schools.  She has dedicated her career to building opportunities by dismantling apathy and mediocrity in education, particularly for children from historically marginalized communities. 1:03 - Introduction 1:48 - My Leadership Story 16:...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an informative conversation with his featured guest — Estanislado Paz . Stan is the founding president of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS).  He is a board member at Walden University.  Stan serves as a senior advisor and consultant to IXL Learning. 1:03 - Introduction 2:06 - My Leadership Story 28:37 - Board Director 33:08 - Superintende...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a captivating conversation with his featured guest — Beatriz Maldonado . Beatriz is a student-centered leader with more than 25 years of experience in PreK–8 education, spanning district leadership, bilingual programming, and curriculum development.  She advances curriculum, instruction, and equity to improve outcomes for all students.  Beatriz is the new superintendent f...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a meaningful conversation with his featured guest — Sergio Keck . Sergio is the deputy superintendent of special populations for the Lansing School District in Michigan.  He is a Latino educational leader with over 35 years in the profession, and he has worked as an instructional assistant, teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director.  Sergio is the founder of l...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an exceptional conversation with his featured guest — Madeline Negrón . Madeline proudly serves as the superintendent of the New Haven Public Schools in Connecticut.  With over 30 years of experience across Connecticut’s most diverse urban school districts, her leadership work is deeply personal.  Madeline draws on her lived experience to dismantle barriers and has dedica...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an honest and vulnerable conversation with his featured guest — Juan Santos . Juan is proud to be the president of the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA), an organization that supports administrators throughout California.  He is currently the assistant superintendent of human resources for the Ventura County Office of Education. ...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a fascinating conversation with his featured guest — Robert Alfaro . Robert is a champion for educational equity, and his journey from a non-English speaking background to leadership inspires all of us.  He is the best-selling author of the book Baloney, Baloney, Baloney , in which he shares his personal experiences with overcoming adversity.  Robert is the CEO of Alfaro...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an enlightening conversation with his featured guest — Carmen Vargas . Carmen is the director of multilingual programs and world languages for Peekskill City School District in New York.  She is a proud Latina leader and former English language learner.  Carmen is passionate about empowering multilingual students, families, and communities through advocacy, equity, and cu...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an engaging conversation with his featured guest — Diurca Lugo-Tomasella . Diurca is the founding principal of Roberto Clemente International Dual Language School in Waterbury, Connecticut.  She is a veteran educator with over 30 years of experience specializing in bilingual, regular, and Spanish education.  Diurca is an award-winning principal honored by the Connecticut...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a marvelous conversation with his featured guest — Georgina Rivera . Georgina is a school principal in West Hartford, Connecticut.  She is a leader in equitable math instruction, teacher leadership, culturally relevant practice, and multilingual learners.  Georgina is a nationally recognized thought leader, author, and keynote speaker in mathematics education and leadersh...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a powerful conversation with his featured guest — Jenny Rodriguez . Jenny is a passionate educational leader who believes that in the right environment, all learners can succeed.  She is a proud Latina born in Puerto Rico to Dominican parents.  Jenny uses authentic leadership and a relationship-centered approach to turn equity into meaningful action and lasting change. 1:...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an outstanding conversation with his featured guest — Mercedes Fonseca . Mercedes is an education leader and advocate for multilingual learners focused on helping schools create coherent, student-centered systems.  Her work is grounded in comunidad, opportunity, and impact.  Mercedes is the director of academics for TNTP in Dallas, Texas, where she works at the intersecti...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an honest and vulnerable conversation with his featured guest — Veronica Ruiz . Veronica is a proud Latina woman born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut.  She is the co-founder and CEO of Visionary Youth CT.  Veronica is also the director of family, school, and community partnerships at Vernon Public Schools in Connecticut. 1:03 - Introduction 2:00 - My Leadership Story...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a passionate conversation with his featured guest — Irella Pérez . Irella is a transformative educational leader whose 35-year career spans from instructional assistant to superintendent.  She is grounded in an unwavering commitment to equity and multilingual excellence.  Irella is a Latina Chinese American immigrant scholar from Nicaragua and an author who brings a power...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an informative conversation with his featured guest — Manuel Zaldivar . Manuel leads with heart, purpose, and a deep commitment to uplifting others around him.  His journey is rooted in hard work, resilience, and a genuine connection to the communities he serves.  Manuel continues to inspire and embody the spirit of Latino leadership through his vision and authenticity. 1...