This workshop will help K-12 educators elevate their teaching practices to enhance all students' learning and educational experiences. This year's theme is Our Collective Heritage: Windows and Mirrors. Workshops will include face-to-face sessions presented by various experts in curriculum and instructional design, focusing on Florida State Statute 1003.42(q) to meet the needs of ALL students. Subsection (q) states that instruction should include "The study of Hispanic contributions to the United States."

Dates: June 10 and June 11

Time: 8:00 am until 3:30 pm 

Register here 

You can earn up to 14 in-service points (each day) for attendance and completing the assignment.

The first 50 teachers to register and attend this Institute will receive $50 stipend.

12:00 - 12:55 pm

Spotlight Presentation

Education with Purpose: Ensuring Academic Success for All Students, Including Hispanic Students

Presented by Dr. Margarita Pinkos, Former Assistant Superintendent of Global Education for the School District of Palm Beach County

This presentation explores the pedagogical, cultural, and social components that create a critical foundation to ensure the success of all students. A particular emphasis is placed on the unique considerations Hispanic students need to maximize their learning experience.

Location: Main Auditorium 

Concurrent Sessions

1:00 pm - 2:55pm

TBD Building at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School

A Celebration of Hispanics and Latinos in the Aerospace Industry.

Presented by Dr. Barbara Ganson, History Professor at Florida Atlantic University

Examine the historical contributions of Hispanic/Latino pioneers in aerospace, bringing forward narratives that are often underrepresented in traditional accounts. This session centers on the “Past” lens of the Ceiba Tree Framework, providing educators with strategies to integrate these histories into STEM and social studies instruction in ways that are standards-aligned and academically rigorous.

Location: 2-130

1:00 pm - 1:55pm

Latino Migration, History and Culture

Presented by Dr. Luis Martínez-Fernández, Pegasus Professor of History at the University of Central Florida 

This multimedia PowerPoint Presentation offers teachers a crash course in Hispanic/Latino studies for use in middle and high school history and social science courses. Focusing on immigration from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, it provides demographic information, links to webpages, lesson plans, and primary documents. Interactive activities include critical examinations of photographs, art, literature, and music.

Location: 2-134

2:00 pm - 2:55 pm

8:00  - 8:30 am

Registration and Breakfast

8:30  - 9:30 am

Opening Ceremonies

• Welcome - Allyson Berrios De Gacharna, Hispanic/Latino Studies Program Planner

• Awareness and Advocacy - Mrs. Maria Bishop, Palm Beach County School Chief Academic Officer 

• Student Dance Presentations - 

  • • • • • • • •  Latinos in Action (LIA) students from John I Leonard HS

                                            Teacher Leader: Carla Rodas-Pena

•  Latinos in Action (LIA) students from Royal Palm Beach HS

                                            Teacher Leader: Maribel Acosta

9:30  - 9:45 am

La Ceiba Tree: Past, Present, and Possibilities

Allyson Berríos de Gacharná,  Hispanic/Latino Studies Program Planner

La Ceiba Tree: Past, Present, and Possibilities explores the Ceiba Tree as a powerful symbol of heritage, resilience, and growth across cultures and communities. Through the lenses of honoring the past, strengthening present practice, and shaping future impact, this short session invites educators to reflect on how history, identity, and lived experiences can deepen student engagement, connection, and belonging. Participants will explore meaningful connections between culture, education, and community while envisioning possibilities for future learning and leadership.

Location: Main Auditorium 

9:30  - 9:45 am

Break

10:00 - 11:00 am

Lessons of the Holocaust: Content, Context, and Critical Thinking through Spanish-Language Resources

Presented by Dr. Christina Chavarria from the Holocaust Museum

Learning about the Holocaust and its roots is critical for all students today. The US Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Spanish-language lessons and resources help us understand how and why the Holocaust happened by using primary and secondary sources, and historical thinking skills. Through personal stories and other accessible multimedia sources, participants will be able to teach about key themes of Holocaust history, including the history of antisemitism and seeking refuge in Latin America.

Location: Main Auditorium 

11:00 - 12:00 pm - Lunch

12:00 - 12:55 pm

Effective Partnerships: Tailoring Strategies and Leveraging Partnerships to Meet the Needs of All Students, Including Hispanic Students

Presented by Dr. Margarita Pinkos, Former Assistant Superintendent of Global Education for the School District of Palm Beach County

This presentation discusses practical strategies that ensure academic success for Hispanic students. Participants will explore the importance of focused deliberate planning for desired outcomes. 

Location: Main Auditorium 

Concurrent Sessions

1:00 pm - 1:55pm

TBD Building at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School

The Historian’s Toolbox in the Classroom

Presented by Dr. Luis Martínez-Fernández, Pegasus Professor of History at the University of Central Florida 

This multimedia, interactive PowerPoint presentation opens a historian’s toolbox to unveil a host of pedagogical materials and classroom activities related to Latin American and Cuban history. Materials to be examined are letters, photographs, newspapers, magazines, paintings, currency, and more. Classroom activities include a virtual archaeological dig in the Caribbean and a module on problematizing history and formulating good historical questions.

Location: The Lecture Hall

1:00 pm - 1:55pm

A Celebration of Hispanics and Latinos in the Aerospace Industry.

Presented by Dr. Barbara Ganson, History Professor at Florida Atlantic University

Examine the historical contributions of Hispanic/Latino pioneers in aerospace, bringing forward narratives that are often underrepresented in traditional accounts. This session centers on the “Past” lens of the Ceiba Tree Framework, providing educators with strategies to integrate these histories into STEM and social studies instruction in ways that are standards-aligned and academically rigorous.

Location: The Little Theater

1:00 pm - 1:55pm

Rooted in Community: Latino Leaders Driving School and District Improvement Through Collective Action

Presented by Fernelize Henry,  SDPBC Secondary Social Studies Program Planner of Instruction

This session explores how Latino leaders, grounded in community and collective action, strengthen schools and influence district improvement. Participants will examine collaborative leadership practices that honor cultural strengths, elevate present-day systems, and shape future impact across school and district environments.

Location: 2-127

1:00 pm - 1:55pm

Concurrent Sessions

2:00 pm - 2:55 pm

TBD Building at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School

Latino Migration, History and Culture

Presented by Dr. Luis Martínez-Fernández, Pegasus Professor of History at the University of Central Florida 

This multimedia PowerPoint Presentation offers teachers a crash course in Hispanic/Latino studies for use in middle and high school history and social science courses. Focusing on immigration from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, it provides demographic information, links to webpages, lesson plans, and primary documents. Interactive activities include critical examinations of photographs, art, literature, and music.

Location: 2-129

2:00 pm - 2:55 pm

Where do we sit on the bus?

Presented by Yamilett Abejon, Kravis Center Special Projects Coordinator

Discover Where Did We Sit on the Bus? a thought-provoking theatrical presentation that uses storytelling and history to explore themes of segregation, identity, empathy, and civic responsibility. Aligned with Florida B.E.S.T. Social Studies and ELA Standards, the session helps students connect past and present, consider multiple perspectives, and reflect on their role in building inclusive communities. The work resonates with students of all backgrounds and encourages meaningful dialogue and critical thinking.

Location: The Little Theater

2:00 pm - 2:55 pm

Understanding Retirement: Beliefs, Barriers, and Real-World Planning

Presented by Brian Edwards, SDPBC K-12 Financial Literacy Program Planner

This session will explore common beliefs and misconceptions about retirement, focusing on how cultural, economic, and systemic factors shape financial decision-making. Participants will examine research-based insights specific to African American and Hispanic communities, followed by a practical overview of the Florida Retirement System (FRS). The session will connect these insights to real-world planning, helping educators better understand retirement benefits, make informed decisions, and support financial literacy in their own contexts.

Location: 2-127

2:00 pm - 2:55 pm

3:00 - 3:30 pm

Closing Remarks and Raffle Winners Announcement