Speakers

Dr. Xóchitl Anabel Rocha is the Manager of Bilingual Programs Policy & Technical Assistance in the Emergent Bilingual Support Division of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), where she oversees the implementation of bilingual and ESL programs statewide. She led the development of the Texas Effective Dual Language Immersion Program Framework and serves as President of the Texas Association for Bilingual Education (TABE). A first-generation college graduate with degrees from The University of Texas-Pan American and Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Dr. Rocha began her educational journey as a migrant bilingual student. Her career includes roles as a dual language teacher, district strategist, director, regional specialist, and adjunct professor. She advocates for high-quality bilingual education and equitable opportunities for emergent bilingual students, promoting the benefits of bilingualism and biliteracy at local, state, and national levels.

Dr. Kathy Escamilla is a Professor Emerita of Education in the Division of Equity, Bilingualism and Biliteracy at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Dr. Escamilla’s research focuses on issues related to the development of bilingualism and biliteracy for Spanish-speaking emerging bilingual children in US schools. Her research has also examined assessment practices for emerging bilingual learners. She has authored three books and over 50 research articles on topics related to (bi)literacy for Spanish-speaking children in the U.S.  Her most recent research project titled, “Literacy Squared: Lecto-escritura al cuadrado” has been implemented in 6 states with over 5,000 students and 400 teachers.  She served two terms as the President of the National Association for Bilingual Education, and one term as the Chair of the Bilingual Special interest group at AERA. Her best professional memories however are from being a bilingual teacher in Colorado and California.  The best, best, best memories are of being a mother of 2 and an abuelita of 4. 

Damaris is a Biliteracy Reading Academies Specialist in the Early Childhood division. She has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis in Literacy from University of Texas-Arlington. She has been in education for 16 years in which she has been a classroom bilingual teacher, bilingual interventionist, instructional coach and bilingual specialist at the district and regional level. In her previous job she worked as a biliteracy coordinator where she had the opportunity to share her passion for bilingual education and biliteracy. She is most passionate about biliteracy and advocating for bilingual teachers and students. 

Ms. Dominguez has established a reputation of being a leader with a strong focus on student outcomes. She has served as a teacher, campus administrator, and district administrator. As a campus leader, she turned around low performing schools and moved them to exceptional ratings. Ms. Dominguez led a Dual Language Academy in San Antonio ISD that was nationally recognized, opened the first all-girls public school in San Antonio, and ran a comprehensive high school that moved from low performing to one of the most distinguished schools in Bexar County. 

At the district level, Ms. Dominguez served Edgewood ISD as a Chief of Schools and Assistant Superintendent and was the Deputy Superintendent in Colorado Springs District 11. She has led many initiatives in the last few years that have positively impacted the lives of students and the educational community.

A dedicated education professional, Larry Berger has 24 years of combined experience in education, with 16 of those dedicated to Pearland ISD. He has served as Pearland ISD's Assistant Superintendent for Support Services, Director of Maintenance & Operations, and principal of Pearland High School. Mr. Berger holds a history of professional achievements. In addition to being a two-time winner of the district's Secondary Principal of the Year Award, he was honored with the statewide H·E-B Excellence in Education Secondary Principal Award in 2015. Mr. Berger works to Build Pearland Proud by making authentic connections that add value to Pearland ISD as we relate to every individual and group to motivate achievement. Pearland Pride is contagious, and he plans to show you how to catch it. 

Sonia W. Soltero is professor and chair of the Department of Leadership, Language, and Curriculum and former director of the Bilingual-Bicultural Education Graduate Program at DePaul University in Chicago, as well as a former bilingual education teacher and dual language coordinator.

Soltero's scholarly work on bilingual/dual language education, developing bilinguals, Latino education has been published in English, Spanish, and French, and includes three books: Dual Language Education: Program Design and Implementation, School-Wide Approaches to Educating English Language Learners, and Dual Language: Teaching and Learning in Two Languages.

Diana A. Estrada is a first-year doctoral student in the Culture, Literacy, and Language Program at the University of Texas at San Antonio.  She has a master's degree in Bicultural and Bilingual Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research interests include inequities in dual language education and equitable learning outcomes for emergent bilinguals.  She has been a dual language teacher for 12 years at Bonham Academy in San Antonio, TX, having taught both kinder and second grade in an 80/20 program model. 

 Mia Quintanilla is a former PSJA Collegiate School of Health Professions Dual Language student. She was a part of the Dual Language program for all 4 years of her high school career. She plans to attend the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to pursue a career in Education, specifically in Biology (Life Sciences 7-12) with the UTeach Program. She aspires to become an educator and inspire young minds like my educators once inspired her.