CALSA's Summer Institute 2026

Dr. Jessica Gomez is an award-winning educational leader and national speaker,  with over 26 years of experience in K–12 education. She currently serves as the Director of Continuous Improvement and Accountability at Menifee Union School District and previously spent 14 years as an elementary principal in Title I communities, where she led transformative work focused on school culture, instructional coherence, and student success.
Recognized as the 2023 CALSA Region VI Site Administrator of the Year and the 2021 ACSA Region 12 Elementary Principal of the Year, Jessica brings both deep practical expertise and a systems-level perspective to her work. She is a past Fellow of NAESP’s Center for Women in Leadership and the author of Lead with Collaboration: A Complete Guide for Transforming Staff Meetings. As a national presenter and keynote speaker, she facilitates professional learning across the country, supporting educators in areas such as leadership development, collaborative practices, and equity-centered school transformation.
Her doctoral research centers on the lived experiences of Latina superintendents in California, using narrative inquiry to examine the barriers, supports, and leadership pathways that shape their journeys. Jessica is committed to bridging research and practice, translating the voices of Latina leaders into actionable strategies that expand access, strengthen leadership pipelines, and advance equity in public education.