About me
Dr. Teresa López Alonzo is a transformative educational leader with over three decades of experience advancing equity and excellence in California's K-12 schools. Currently serving as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at Salinas Union High School District—California's fourth-largest high school district with over 15,000 students—Dr. Alonzo provides executive leadership for curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development while driving district-wide initiatives to improve student achievement and well being. Dr. Alonzo is a proud daughter of Mexican immigrant parents who worked the fields along California's Central Valley and raised seven children. Their dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in education inspired her to work hard, pursue her studies, and ultimately dedicate her career to ensuring all children have access to the transformative power of education. This personal history deeply informs her understanding of the challenges faced by immigrant families and English learners in our educational system.A sought-after speaker and facilitator, Dr. Alonzo presents locally and nationally on principal leadership development, English learner program design, equity-centered organizational transformation, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support implementation. Through her presentations and workshops, she shares evidence-based strategies for building leadership capacity and creating systemic change through data-driven decision making, culturally responsive practices, and authentic community partnerships—particularly benefiting historically underserved populations.Dr. Alonzo partners with prestigious organizations, including the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA), where she serves as Director of Mentoring and Board Member; WestEd; and the National Association of Elementary School Principals. She also facilitates leadership academies for the Association of California School Administrators, impacting districts throughout the state.An accomplished scholar-practitioner, Dr. Alonzo holds an Ed.D. from the University of Southern California and a Professional Certificate from Stanford's EdLEADers program. Her research and publications focus on equity-centered leadership, with her recent work appearing in "Strengthening Equitable Education Through Latina Leaders' Perspectives."
