About me
Rocio began her career as a school psychologist in Peru and has dedicated her professional career to being an advocate for educational equity and social justice. Her rich and diverse experience includes serving for over 25 years in both public and private school systems, where she has received recognition and accolades for her work in special education, bilingual, and dual language settings. Rocio currently serves as Assistant Superintendent in Freeport School District 145 and as an adjunct professor at Northern Illinois University and St. Francis University.
She co-authored her first book in 2022, Teaching Reading in Spanish: A Linguistically Authentic Framework for Emerging Multilinguals by Rowland and Littlefield. In addition, Rocio has collaborated with several publications including Education Week and ILASCD Magazine, and was a contributing author in The New Teacher’s Guide to Ten Common Challenges, Curated Advice from Award-Winning Teachers by Routledge. Most recently, Rocio co-founded Via Educational Consulting. Via’s mission is to provide practical and equitable solutions to schools and districts on the path toward culturally and linguistically responsive education.
Rocio is proud to be a third-generation teacher in her family and to promote the power of education to transform lives. She is also proud of her Peruvian roots and her immigration story from Lima, Peru. Rocio lives with her husband Joel, kids Nicolas, 21, Isabella, 18, and dogs Canelo and Bruno in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
