CALSA's Summer Institute 2026

CALSA's Summer Institute 2026

CALSA’s Summer Institute is where innovators, educators, and intergenerational leaders come together to shape the future of public education. Grounded in the theme Somos el Puente entre Generaciones – We Are the Bridge Between Generations, the 2026 conference elevates the voices, practices, and partnerships that strengthen schools and communities across California.

For more information on Summer Institute 2026, visit calsa.org/summerinstitute.

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9:00am PDT

"Non-Traditional Pathways to CBO: A Generational Leadership Journey" Honey Locust 1Dr. Rafael Gaeta • Dr. Rubén L Fernández Bridges, Not Barriers: Master Scheduling As An Equity Imperative Fern Pine 4Roxanna B. Villaseñor Bridging the Next Step: Advancing Leadership Across Generations Fern Pine 3Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite • Dr. Alfonso Jiménez From Insight to Action: Leveraging Student Well-Being Data in Community Schools Live Oak 1Julie Johnston • Alejandra Limon What Works: Inside a Golden Bell Award-Winning Attendance Transformation Grounded in Harvard’s Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships Honey Locust 2Dr. Stacy Chang • Norma Martínez

10:15am PDT

Advancing Equity, Innovation, and Community Engagement through Expanded Learning Programs (ELO-P) Honey Locust 2Monica Dennis • Lorena Morales-Ellis Bridging Generations: Leading with Connection, Clarity and Emotional Intelligence Fern Pine 3Kathleen Baca Leanos, LCSW • Josue Diaz Jr. El Puente entre Generaciones: Activating Student Agency to Close the Equity Gap Fern Pine 4Marcela Valadez, Ed.D Juntas Hacia la Luz - Part 2: The Courage to Grow — CAREfrontation, Confidence, and Collective Uplift Live Oak 2Dr. Teresa López Alonzo • Dr. Sonia Rodarte Llamas • Dr. Monica Luther • Cecilia Story • Dr. Alma Ulloa Latina Leadership at the Intersections: The Path to the Superintendency-Real Talk. Real Barriers. Real Power. Live Oak 1Jessica Gomez Strategic Attendance Recovery: Data-Driven Solutions for Chronic Absenteeism Reduction Honey Locust 1David Diehl, Ed.D. • Aaron Magnan

2:00pm PDT

CALSA Women's Leadership Network - Bridging the Gap: Diverse Pathways to Leadership and Impact Live Oak 2Dr. Elizabeth Blanco • Dr. Leticia Bhatia • Velma Veith • Dr. Saida Valdez Community Schools Impact on Student Outcomes: Evidence From California Honey Locust 1Francisco Escobedo • Efrain Mercado From Compliance to Coherence: Leveraging AI to Transform Federal Program Monitoring Systems Honey Locust 2Aleyda Barrera-Cruz Making Equity Observable: Building Bridges Through Instructional Rounds and Equity Walkthroughs to Align Policy, Practice, and Access Fern Pine 3Vanessa Fortney • Anthony Molina • Catherine Borquez Pa’ Nuestra Gente: Building Latine/x Affinity, Belonging, and Leadership Fern Pine 4Yosaira Espinoza • Erik Martinez • Marcelo Quiñones The Time is Now: Building the Conditions for Multilingual Education for All Live Oak 1Rubi Flores • Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez

3:15pm PDT

Anatomy of Achievement How Cabinet Leaders Use Data, Systems, and Assessments to Drive Districtwide Success Live Oak 2Norma Martínez • Janet Woo • Dr. Rafael Gaeta • Carlos Zaragoza • Dr. Marilyn Lopez BEACONS for Biliteracy: Designing Coherent, Equity-Centered Literacy Systems for Multilingual Learners Fern Pine 4Rubi Flores From Awareness to Action: Empowering Youth to Lead, Educate, and Protect Their Rights Honey Locust 2Fredy Ruiz My Name. My Identity. Honey Locust 1Arnie Ayala Somos el Puente entre Generaciones: Bridging Access for Multilingual Learners with Diverse Needs Live Oak 1Eric Barrientos • Dr. Alejandra Velez Stay Ahead of the Charge: Preventing Unfair Labor Practice Claims Fern Pine 3Mellissa Gallegos