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.

As Latina leaders, we often carry the weight of expectations, cultural narratives, and internalized beliefs that shape how we show up in leadership spaces. While mentorship opens doors, true transformation requires the courage to confront growth edges with compassion, clarity, and intention.
In this powerful continuation of Juntas Hacia la Luz- Part 1, Dr. Sonia Rodarte Llamas and Dr. Teresa Alonzo are joined by their protégés, Dr. Monica Luther, Dr. Alma Ulloa and Cecilia Story to model what it means to lead across generations through trust, honesty, and collective care.


Grounded in a strengths-based and healing-centered approach, this session introduces CAREfrontation, a framework that blends care and accountability to support growth without diminishing identity or voice. Drawing from leadership practice and clinical insight, participants will explore how self-perception, imposter feelings, and fear-based narratives can become barriers to leadership effectiveness and how to move beyond them.


Through storytelling, reflection, and interactive dialogue, attendees will learn how to:

• Give and receive feedback that strengthens rather than diminishes
• Reframe internal narratives that limit leadership growth
• Build cultures of trust, affirmation, and courageous conversations
• Uplift one another through intentional mentorship and sponsorship

This dynamic panel, presented on behalf of the Women Leadership Network, highlights the diverse and inspiring journeys of women leaders across the educational landscape. Through personal narratives and professional insights, panelists will explore the full arc of leadership—from early influences to executive roles—demonstrating how resilience, mentorship, and opportunity shape leadership pathways.
Panelists will share unique experiences, including the journey to becoming a superintendent, the transformative experience of a former Freedom Writers student who successfully bridged into leadership and advocacy, and a nontraditional pathway to leadership that challenges conventional norms. Each story reflects the power of perseverance, representation, and intentional support systems.

District success is not driven by one department alone. It is the result of a cabinet that operates with shared purpose, disciplined systems, and a collective commitment to using data in ways that strengthen organizational performance and student outcomes. Anatomy of Achievement offers a rare inside look at how leaders across multiple divisions rely on data, assessments, and analytic systems to lead effectively within their own areas while contributing to a larger districtwide strategy.


This panel session will bring together voices from human resources, educational services, student services, governance, and executive leadership to explore how evidence informed decision making shapes staffing, instruction, intervention, accountability, operational planning, and student support. Participants will gain insight into how departments use different forms of data while remaining aligned around a common mission: increasing academic achievement, improving organizational effectiveness, and addressing opportunity gaps through coherent and responsive systems.