Half a Year in Service: Honoring Belonging, Equity, and Leadership in Education

Reflecting on this past month, I find myself experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. At every event, I was inspired by the incredible educational leaders around me. My excitement was sparked by a day of networking with passionate IALAS administrators. In Freeport, I was moved to tears by the overwhelming affirmation from educators filling an entire auditorium. Returning to my children’s district for a World Café brought a deep personal connection, while speaking with first-year teachers in Peoria and equity leaders in West 40 left me feeling energized. The highlight of the month was ending it with future educators at Aurora University, reaffirming my confidence that our profession’s future is in capable hands. This journey continues to be one of growth, gratitude, and purpose.

January 18, 2025 – Keynote at the Illinois Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (IALAS) - I had the honor of keynoting the IALAS conference, sharing my story, the work I’ve been doing across Illinois, and the data I’ve been collecting. It was inspiring to meet so many passionate administrators dedicated to advocating for Latino/a students. In the evening, I was invited to a networking dinner, where I had the privilege of bringing Laura Gonzales, Dr. Steven Isoye from the Illinois School Board, and Jacqueline San Diego, the 2024 Special Education Teacher of the Year, as my guests. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders who are making a positive difference in our schools.

January 22, 2025 – Freeport Institute Day & Visit to Oregon High School - I was thrilled to travel to Freeport, my farthest north visit so far, to keynote the Freeport Institute Day. I shared my story and emphasized the importance of each educator’s role in shaping a culture of belonging in schools. We also celebrated the incredible teachers from Freeport’s equity team, which made the event even more special. After the keynote, I led two breakout sessions on culturally responsive teaching, helping educators recognize and address cultural behaviors without mislabeling them as problem behaviors. On my way home, I stopped at Oregon High School to visit my mentor, Kim Radostits, the 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year. We had a wonderful lunch, and I had the chance to meet some of the amazing educators at her school.

January 23, 2025 – Meeting with Equity Leaders from West 40 ROE & Peoria - Meeting with equity leaders from West 40 ROE and Peoria was an enriching experience. I shared insights on the work I’ve been doing across Illinois, the data I’ve collected, and the power of hosting World Cafés to facilitate meaningful discussions. This conversation reaffirmed the importance of equity-focused leadership and collaboration across districts.

January 28, 2025 – Plainfield’s 2nd World Café - Returning to my own children’s district for Plainfield’s 2nd World Café, specifically with the feeder schools for Plainfield South, was a special moment. The event brought together administrators, educators, and parents, all committed to fostering a sense of belonging in our schools. We also had the opportunity to celebrate outstanding educators and a dedicated parent-educator from the Troy School District. I couldn’t be prouder to be a parent in District 202, especially under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Glen Wood.

January 30, 2025 – Keynote for New Teachers & Mentors in Peoria - Heading back to Peoria School District to deliver back-to-back inspirational keynotes for new teachers and their mentors was an energizing experience. The discussions on belonging sparked thoughtful questions, and the hugs and stories shared afterward affirmed the impact of this message. Of course, I never miss an opportunity to see the phenomenal Dr. Sharon Kherat, Superintendent of Peoria School District. Her leadership continues to inspire so many, including me.

January 31, 2025 – Future Educators at Aurora University - I ended the month on a high note with the future educators from the High School Ed Rising chapter at Aurora University. Sharing my journey with them and then hearing their personal stories about their educational experiences was incredibly moving. Their insights and passion for shaping the future of education reaffirmed the importance of leading with love. This was one of the most impactful high school student World Cafés I’ve had the privilege of facilitating, and it left me with great hope for the next generation of educators.