CALSA's Summer Institute 2026

This session is grounded in the lived experiences of two sisters—both Latina administrators in public education— shaped by family, culture, and generational identity. Together, they bring a deeply personal lens to how first-generation, 1.5 generation, second-generation, and multigenerational identities influence the way we show up as leaders: how we use our voice, how we navigate authority, how we advocate, and how we build relationships within our systems.At the heart of their journey is a shared truth: none of us get here alone. Across generations, our paths have been shaped not only by opportunity, but by the mentors, allies, and trusted colleagues who saw us, guided us, and reminded us that we belonged in spaces that were not always designed with us in mind. We will unpack our collective responsibility to lift up others as we climb, and move beyond stereotypes within our Latine community to focus on the families and students we serve.This interactive session invites participants into a space of reflection, connection, and comunidad. Through storytelling, dialogue, and structured activities, this session emphasizes the importance of representation, intentional mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving in developing strong leadership pipelines. By fostering environments where leaders support one another through reflection and shared learning, educational systems can cultivate leaders who are resilient, connected, and empowered to lead with purpose.