The ALAS Summit takes place Oct. 9-11, 2024 in Portland, Oregon
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 28, 2024) – The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) has announced the keynote and featured speakers for its 21st National Education Summit being held October 9-11, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. The Summit is ALAS’ flagship leadership development and networking event for administrators at schools and districts that serve primarily Latino and other historically marginalized youth. For information and to register, visit https://www.alasedu.org/annual-summit.
The speakers for the 2024 Summit are:
Javier Arguello who will deliver the keynote address on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. Arguello is the founder and executive director of COGx, a research and development firm in applied cognitive science. In partnership with global experts on human learning, COGx translates learning science into evidence-based programs that improve teaching and learning. Arguello is a frequent speaker on the topic of modernizing education, addressing the needs of marginalized communities, cognition and learning, and translating cognitive science research to improve learning outcomes. He has published over 40 articles and essays and presented at numerous global conferences.
Dr. Zandra Jo-Galván who is the featured speaker on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 and the notable speaker on Thursday, October 10, 2024. Galván has served as superintendent of the Greenfield Union School District since August 2017 and has worked in public education since 1993. She is passionate about serving communities and breaking students free from the cycle of poverty. Galván has been spotlighted on several State and National podcasts and routinely is on Superintendent panels and conference speaking events highlighting hot topics in education. She thrives on engaging other professionals around topics of relationship-building, emotional intelligence, organizational leadership, social justice, and equity, dismantling racism, challenging the status quo, social-emotional wellness, innovative technology, sisterhood circles of empowerment, and uplifting the next generation of scholars to flourish in a world that they challenge and design. Galván is an ALAS Board Member and the immediate past president of the California Association of Latino/a/x/ Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA).
Jorge Valenzuela who is the Spotlight speaker on Thursday, October 10, 2024. Valenzuela is a highly regarded performance and education coach, author, and speaker at Lifelong Learning Defined. He specializes in core instruction and is known for delivering quality professional training in team building, project-based learning, STEM pathways, and SEL integration throughout the curriculum. He collaborates with superintendents and offers professional development through ASCD, Corwin, Instructional Innovation Partners, and Solution Tree. He has written multiple books and hosts the Lifelong Learning Defined podcast.
“Mr. Arguello, Dr. Galván and Mr. Valenzuela all have significant experience in education and unique perspectives to share,” said ALAS Executive Director Dr. Maria Armstrong. “They will be able to provide valuable insight on topics that are important to our members and we are looking forward to having them as our Summit speakers.”
The ALAS National Education Summit focuses on addressing challenges in the education system, particularly those impacting Latino students, and provides a forum for participants to engage in meaningful discussions and identify solutions that can be applied throughout the industry.
The theme of this year’s Summit is “Embracing Tomorrow, Fostering Culture, Driving Change, and Promoting Collaboration.” The three-day event features inspiring speakers, informative breakout sessions, policy updates, dedicated time for networking, and a (ticketed) black-tie awards gala. Activities are geared toward administrators and aspiring administrators, school board members, education leaders and solution providers.
“The ALAS National Education Summit is a fantastic opportunity for attendees to learn from those in the field about practical strategies and best-practices that can help them support their own schools, districts, staff, and students. It’s also a great way to make connections and network with peers from around the country,” said Armstrong. “At ALAS, our mission is to provide leadership development that empowers participants and helps them support all students, including historically marginalized youth. Our National Education Summit is a rewarding, engaging, valuable event and we encourage all who are invested in this mission to attend.”
The ALAS National Education Summit is among several events and professional development programs ALAS offers throughout the year. For more information about ALAS, visit www.alasedu.org.
About the Association of Latino Administrators & Superintendents (ALAS)
The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents [ALAS] is committed to providing a perspective to all aspiring school and district administrators including superintendents through programs, services, advocacy and networks rooted in Latino experiences and culture. Our Vision, Mission and Goals are to provide leadership at the national level that assures every school in America effectively serves the educational needs of all students with an emphasis on Latino and other historically marginalized youth through continuous professional learning, policy advocacy, and networking to share practices of promise for our students and the communities where we serve.
By the year 2026, Latino children will make up 30 percent of the school-age population. In the nation’s largest states – California, Texas, Florida, and New York- all of whom are ALAS State Affiliates – Latinos already have reached that level. It is of vital interest to invest in the education of every child, and the professional learning of all educators who serve Latino youth.
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