Expect Greatness

Keynote address: “Excellence is Not an Accident: Systems, Culture, & Equity That Deliver Results.” 

Luis F. Cruz, PhD, is a former principal of Baldwin Park High School, located east of Los Angeles, California. He has been a teacher and administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Dr. Cruz presents on methods from the best-selling book 'Transforming School Culture' by Anthony Muhammad.

In 2007, Dr. Cruz led a collective effort to secure a $250,000 grant for Baldwin Park from the California Academic Partnership Program, aimed at effectively utilizing “courageous leadership” to promote a more equitable and effective organization.

Since becoming a public school educator, Dr. Cruz has won the New Teacher of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Administrator of the Year, and other community leadership awards. He and a committee of teacher leaders at Baldwin Park received California's prestigious Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association for significantly closing the achievement gap between the general student population and students learning English as a second language.

As a recipient of the Hispanic Border Leadership Institute's fellowship for doctoral studies, he earned a doctorate in institutional leadership and policy studies from the University of California, Riverside. He earned an associate's degree from Mount San Antonio Community College, a bachelor's degree from California State University, Fullerton, and a master's degree from Claremont Graduate University.

We are excited to welcome the 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Víctor Gómez, a bilingual chemistry teacher in Leyden High School District 212. A sixth-year educator and 2025 Cook County Co-Regional Teacher of the Year, Gómez is a leader in advancing bilingual education. He co-developed East Leyden’s bilingual program and launched the school’s first Bilingual Chemistry course, expanding access to rigorous STEM learning and college credit opportunities through Elmhurst University.

Selected from 13 finalists statewide by State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders, Gómez was recognized for his high expectations, innovative approach, and commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive instruction. Beyond the classroom, he fosters student belonging through Alianza Latina and Mariachi Águilas de Leyden, and mentors future bilingual educators in partnership with Elmhurst University. District and school leaders praised his dedication and impact, noting the pride of having the 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year come from Leyden. 

This special event offers an opportunity to hear Víctor Gómez share his story, what inspired his journey into education, and how his experiences shape his work with multilingual learners. At a time when educators face unprecedented challenges, his story is a powerful reminder that perseverance, purpose, and passion are needed now more than ever. Víctor’s work highlights the lasting impact teachers have when they continue to lead with high expectations, cultural responsiveness, and an unwavering belief in their students, inspiring all of us to keep doing this important work.