Speakers

Brett Bradshaw

Brett joined the National Equity Project to support the expansion of Leading for Equity programming in 2010. As Managing Director, Program Strategy and Impact he leads our program portfolio, including service design, client cultivation and development. Brett previously worked with partners in the Midwest including the Kellogg Foundation on racial equity initiatives in school districts and communities, and has expertise in Promise Neighborhoods and Collective Impact initiatives.

Previously, Brett was Senior Director of Strategic Communications at the Coalition of Essential Schools, where he developed and implemented its national communications and advocacy agenda. He taught elementary school in Los Angeles and was a member of the founding leadership team of a small, autonomous high school in Austin, Texas. He holds an M.A. in public affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School at the University of Texas.

Josh Brown, Ph.D.

Josh Brown is the Project Manager on the Model Curriculum Project for the Orange County Department of Education. His current work involves developing curricula and organizing conferences and outreach initiatives across the state of California. Dr. Brown is an ethnomusicologist with over ten years of experience working as a faculty member at institutions of higher education across the Inland Empire and Orange County.

Bandaul Chansy

Bandaul Meas Chansy (ប៉ាន់ដូរ មៀស ចាន់ស៊ី) is a dedicated public education advocate with over 28 years of experience, specializing in literacy and supporting multilingual learners. A refugee from Cambodia who arrived in the U.S. in 1975, she holds degrees from UC Irvine and CSU Long Beach, and a teaching credential from CSU Dominguez Hills. Bandaul is deeply involved in her community through volunteer work focused on education, mental health, and cultural awareness. As a CTA member, NEA RA delegate, and site union representative, she champions public schools and equitable resources, especially for students with disabilities. A proud mother of three, she believes every child has unique strengths and works to ensure all learners can thrive. In May 2025, she was honored with the Golden Apple Award by the Teachers Association of Long Beach.

Virginia Loh-Hagan, Ph.D.

Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagan is the Co-Executive Director of The Asian American Education Project and the inaugural Director of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Center at San Diego State University. She is the author of over 450 children's books, mainly on APIDA content. She previously was a teacher educator, curriculum designer, and a K-8 teacher. Dr. Loh-Hagan is ethnically Chinese American; her family’s immigration story consists of escaping from the Japanese occupation of China and the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.

Marika Manos, Ed. D.

Marika Manos serves as the History/Social Science Manager at the Orange County Department of Education. With a background in curriculum development, teacher leadership, and educational research spanning over two decades, she designs and leads professional learning experiences that support literacy, history, ethnic studies, social science, civics, and culturally sustaining pedagogies. She is an advocate for authentic curricula, restorative practices, and meaningful family engagement. Through her work, she fosters inclusive and engaging learning environments that empower educators and students alike.

Joseph Nguyen

Joseph Loreto Phúc Nguyễn holds an M.A. with a concentration in Vietnamese and Vietnamese Diaspora Studies from Columbia University, focusing on transnational histories of the Vietnamese diaspora. From 2022-2023, he was a teacher through the U.S. Fulbright Program in Vietnam. In Fall 2023, will begin as a lecturer in the Department of Asian American Studies at California State University, Fullerton. Joseph is also currently a board member of the Vietnamese Heritage Museum and is currently working on a community project with various Vietnamese American organizations to transcribe, translate, subtitle, and archive major Vietnamese American works in the community through AI.

Matt O'Donnell

Matt O’Donnell is a Program Specialist for the Model Curriculum Project at the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) where he leads the Cambodian American Studies Model Curriculum.. Prior to joining OCDE he was a curriculum specialist for the Sonoma County Office of Education, school administrator and secondary history social science teacher in Marin and Sonoma Counties and in Norcross, Georgia

Tori Phu

Tori Phu is a Program Specialist for the Model Curricula Projects with Orange County Department of Education (OCDE), leading the Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum. She has a Masters of Arts in Teaching with a single subject credential in English Language Arts, Vietnamese, ELD, along with a History/Social Science and Ethnic Studies qualification. She taught in secondary education for four years prior.

Jessica Progulske

Jessica Progulske is the Bay Area Regional Technical Assistance Center Community Schools & Engagement Coach for Marin, Napa, and Sonoma County at the Santa Clara County Office of Education, where she endeavors to make certain all students have meaningful, engaging learning experiences that support their behavioral, social-emotional, and cognitive development. With a passion for educational equity, she works to disrupt traditional patterns of success and create opportunities for every student to thrive. Jessica is deeply committed to ensuring individuals get the support they need when they need it.

Jessica holds a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from UCLA and an M.A. in Education from Pepperdine University. Before taking on her current role, she worked at the Sonoma County Office of Education for over a decade, most recently serving as its Director of Data & Engagement.

Kristina Ravo

With over 15 years in education, Kristina has held various roles, including high school teacher, Activities Director, assistant principal, principal, and district-level coordinator. Kristina earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences and a Minor in English from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, followed by a teaching credential, administrative credential, and a Master's in Educational Leadership with a Social Justice focus from San Jose State University. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to equity and social justice, having focused her Master's thesis on culturally sustaining pedagogy.

Passionate about fostering inclusive, responsive learning environments, Kristina brings a positive, empowering approach to education. She is dedicated to supporting educators, students, and community partners in creating effective and equitable history-social science and civics educational opportunities. Kristina has also completed the ACSA Equity and Personnel Administrators Institutes, was part of the inaugural Learning for Justice Critical Practices in Social Justice Education cohort, serves on the Santa Clara County Superior Court Community Outreach Committee, and continually seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge and practice in educational leadership.

Mark Salinas

Mark joined the National Equity Project in 2002, and currently serves as a Regional Director in our California region, and co-leads client cultivation, development, and consulting services. Mark has 20+ years of experience in strategic consulting, facilitative and instructional leadership coaching, as well as providing professional development to district leaders, principals, teacher leaders and teams. Prior to joining NEP, Mark helped start a new high school in San Francisco where he taught and coordinated grade level teams, as well as a variety of student leadership groups. In the mid-90’s, Mark taught one of four pilot Academic Literacy courses that became the foundational work for the nationally recognized Reading Apprenticeship framework. He received his B.A. in Ethnic Studies and teaching credential from San Francisco State University.

Caroline Thao

Caroline Paaj Zaub Thao is a doctoral candidate in the Educational Leadership program at Sacramento State, expected to graduate with an Ed.D. in May 2025. With 12 years of experience as a Social Science and Hmong Language educator, she has taught Hmong Language at Cosumnes River College and is currently teaching Hmong Language and Literacy at Grant Union High School. Caroline has been pivotal in developing Hmong language and cultural education materials, grounded in Hmong Epistemology and decolonial discourses. Her goal is to transform educational spaces where her students can reclaim and celebrate their heritage.

Ger Thao, Ph.D.

Ger Thao, Ph.D. is a Program Specialist, Model Curriculum at the Orange County Department of Education, spearheading the Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum. She is a bilingual educator, author, and educational consultant with ten plus years of classroom experience. Dr. Thao has a background in multilingual multicultural/social justice education and culturally responsive-sustaining pedagogy developing curriculum and professional developments that reflect diverse populations, with a focus on Southeast Asian communities.

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