Who's Who Podcast Interviewees

Sandra Gonzalez, Ed. S. , is the founder of the The DoMas Group (DoMas Yoga Wellness Education and Retreats and EDUCA K16 Podcast). She is a transformational leader, mother and grandmother. Sandra has been a full-time educator in the DMV region for the past 25+ years. She started her career in K-12 Bilingual/ESL and is the Director of a GED in Spanish program for adults in Washington, DC at the Carlos Rosario IPCS for the past five years bringing to life a continuum of learning from pre-literacy to high school for Spanish native speaking adults. She embodies the modern woman who has managed to integrate the wisdom and healing experiences of the East into her lifestyle, and be living proof of her transformation. She is co-host of EDUCA K16 Podcast, Sandra infuses her expertise and educational background which include an Ed. S. from GWU in Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students with/without Special Education, a M. Ed. in Education Leadership from GMU and a B.S. in Elementary Education from UDC. Aligned to reveal solutions to the many issues facing public education K-16 in the USA, she co-hosts with Dr. Noboa, as they distill his latest books via interviews, and boldly bring awareness to educational challenges, unravelling forth a new paradigm; what Dr. Noboa calls, 'a necessary renaissance'.

Dr. Noboa , co-host and leading national expert in Latinos in education in American history and the challenges facing our public schools.  A social scientist and educator who has worked in the fields of education, mental health, and organizational development for decades. As a former practitioner and now researcher from the barrios of Chicago and New York, Dr. Noboa-Ríos has long observed and confronted status quo. Alarmed by how flawed “reform” in education is, disquieted by how poorly conceived “policies” have promoted rather than solved inequity, and concerned about America’s future, he strongly questions where we are going. In response, he bravely calls for a new paradigm—a necessary renaissance—to escape the current chaos and move toward progress. For more information visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdin-noboa-rios-ph-d-5a1aba4

Dr. Luis Antonio (Tony) Báez, director of District 6 of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors April 2017, has been extensively involved in public education.  For more information visit https://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/District/About-MPS/School-Board/School-Board-Members/District-6----TonyBaez.htm 

Dr. Margarita Benitez,  one of four educators in the United States selected in 2013 as a Lumina Fellow by Lumina Foundation for Education, in recognition of her work on behalf of access and success in higher education. For more information visit https://fphpr.org/en/about-us/

Dr. Ricardo Fernandez,  the recipient of numerous public recognitions, including Crain’s NY Business’s list of “People to Watch in Higher Education” (2014). For more information visit https://www.idra.org/staff/dr-ricardo-r-fernandez/

RT LT Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch,  grew up without material wealth and was taught by her immigrant parents that she was rich in culture, tradition, values and faith. She empowers others to empower themselves. For more information visit https://www.easleadership.com/about/

Dr. Rosita Lopez,  received the Presidential Commission on the Status of Minorities Deacon Davis Diversity Award for her contributions made to the improvement of the status of minorities on campus and in the community (2015). For more information visit https://www.cedu.niu.edu/lepf/about/faculty/rosita-lopez.shtml

Marta 'Kika' Fernandez,  is the Testing Chair at MAST Academy, FL. She has served as a bilingual teacher in Coral Way Elementary and is an advocate of bilingual and magnet schools that provide access to all students. For more information about these schools visit https://gomakos.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=774191&type=u https://www.greatschools.org/florida/miami/609-Coral-Way-K-8-Center/

Carlos Azcoitia,   Dr. Azcoitia served as the Deputy Chief of Education in the Chicago Public Schools.  In this role, he was administratively responsible for a large number of wide-ranging departments, programs and services.  He has been a teacher, administrator, and has served as principal in the Chicago Public Schools. For more information visit https://www.nl.edu/academics/faculty/facultyprofiles/a/azcoitiacarlosnceemeritus/

Carlos Jimenez Flores, a storyteller, poet, author and photographer. A Puerto Rican, born in Chicago, he struggled to assimilate into North American culture. He spent his early childhood in Puerto Rico and learned he was born in Chicago when his family returned on his eighth birthday. A product of divorce, living in poverty, English as a second language learner, survivor of the violence in gang-infested neighborhoods, a high school and college dropout, he lived day to day believing it would be his last since he thought he would not make it to the age of 21. He earned his associates degree from Wright Community College in 2002, where he made the Dean's List and was invited to become a member of Phi Theta Kappa which is the International Honor Society of Two-Year Colleges. He earned his bachelors in 2006 from Northeastern Illinois University, where he studied Human Resource Development and Sociology. For more information visit https://www.carlosjimenezflores.com/bio

 Judith M. Sauri (Judy), is the NABE Treasurer. She served as Principal of Richard Edwards Dual Language Fine and Performing Arts International Baccalaureate (IB) School from 2005 to 2020. Edwards serves over 1,0550 students; 95% are of Latino heritage. During the 25 years that Judy has served in Chicago Public Schools (CPS), she has worn many hats: Bilingual Teacher, Assistant Principal, After-School Coordinator, Curriculum Design Team Member, ESL Resource Teacher, Bilingual Lead Teacher, presenter and staff development liaison, Dean of Students, Disciplinarian, Programmer and Schedule Coordinator, Parent Coordinator, and grant writer; just to name a few. Her transformational leadership skills have been instrumental in taking Edwards Elementary to become a Level 1+ school, which is the highest level awarded in Chicago; a Digital Learning Model School; and received the Award of Excellence from the State of Illinois which demonstrates program’s successful implementation of high-quality cultural and linguistic programming for children families of preschool age children. Mrs. Sauri’s education background includes: Two master degrees in Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago; Masters in Educational Leadership; and Administration and Supervision of Schools.

For more information visit https://nabe.org/judith-m-sauri-treasurer/

 Marisa Rivera,  Marisa Rivera is President of Mpowerment Works and a social entrepreneur and global citizen who provides dynamic presentations and seminars that captivate the audience and empowers them to become agents of change. She also provides innovative consulting and coaching services on program development tailored to each client needs by empowering people. Throughout her career, Marisa Rivera has shared her experience and personal knowledge on becoming an effective leader in today’s global marketplace in the corporate, government and non-profit sectors as well as in schools, colleges, and universities both in the U.S. and abroad. is the NABE Treasurer. 

https://www.mpowermentworks.com/about.html

Roy Juarez Jr., founded the human development company, IMPACTtruth, Inc. in 2005 with a dream to inspire youth and reunite families by sharing his turbulent yet inspirational life story.  Juarez has partnered with national organizations such as the U.S. ARMY, Ford Motor Company Fund, and the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute to inspire thousands of individuals across the United States and abroad. His work has garnered national media attention on outlets such as CNN, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and many local and online publications.     

https://www.homelessbychoice.com/speakers/roy-juarez-jr/      

Dr. Pedro Pedraza - Listen to the Interview with Dr. Pedro Pedraza from NLERAP-National Latino Education Research  who recently retired after 40+ years in education in various ways. Pedro has been associated with CUNY Hunter College. He has been a key leader in different educational organizations and has received distinguished awards. 

https://opencuny.org/nlerap4ne/casa/participants/pedro-pedraza/

Elsa Duarte Noboa and Julio Noboa Polanco - Listen to the Interview with Dr. Julio Noboa Polanco and Elsa Duarte Noboa. He is a retired professor of social studies, who is an author and poet, known for nearly three decades at the local, national, and international levels for his poem, Identity. Elsa a retired educator. Both have built their retirement home in a housing cooperative in Santa Ana, Costa Rica.

Activity with Identity https://www.sanjuan.edu/cms/lib/CA01902727/Centricity/Domain/4026/Identity%20Packet.pdf

Dr. Margarita Pinkos - Her 30-year career has been dedicated to building the capacity of students and families, and the educators who serve them. Dr. Pinkos’ professional journey started in 1984 as an elementary school teacher and includes service as a school principal and district-level executive. One career distinction is her appointment as assistant deputy secretary and director of the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) in the United States Department of Education (USDOE) from 2006 to 2008 where she worked with state and local education systems across the country to support high quality instructional programs for linguistically and culturally diverse students. Listen to learn more.

https://www.elsuccessforum.org/people/margarita-pinkos

 EDUCA K16 Podcast/YouTube Channel aims to become your informed voice about Latinos in education.We hope to cultivate curiosity and raise awareness to support our audience to develop an open mind, empathy, and be less judgmental toward the most marginalized, and to become an informed voice and participate in the education process. https://anchor.fm/sandra-gonzalez02

Inequality in education has been part of the many reform movements in the US. Read the report and see what you think. Then read our book recommendation and ask yourself, "What has changed?"

DoMas Education recommends:

1. The Story of Latinos and Education in American History, Abdin Noboa-Rios. This book is a glimpse into how Latinos have been part of the narrative of the US as unheard, unseen, and neglected in education. We suggest reading the book to ensure that Latino students excel. Read the book and listen the Podcast series.

2. Critical Issues of Latinos and Education in 21st Century America. Where are we?-Normalized failure has become the new norm in public schools and international achievement has reached new lows. For this book, Dr. Noboa-Rios interviewed 112 prominent educators, including some of the best Hispanic educators and thought leaders. What do they say? Listen to EDUCA K16 Podcast. 

 PBS has a resource in English and Spanish for students to explore the many ways that Latino Americans are woven into the narrative of the United States. Click the link below to navigate the lesson plans and activities, 

Dual language is making a difference in beating the odds and overcoming the achievement gap. A national list of the most high-excelling  Dual Language Programs across the nation. 

Please, write to us and ask any questions you would like us to ask the author during the podcast series; we will try to ask the most frequently asked questions.