GEAR UP Parental Corner - Family Engagment Conference

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Join us for the transformative "Raising Superheroes: Empowering Families for Student Success" conference, where we'll equip Vanguard parents, caregivers, and educators with essential tools and insights to support the academic journey of our children. Through engaging sessions and interactive workshops, attendees will delve into topics such as building strong foundations for learning, fostering resilience and confidence, and promoting mental health and well-being.

Patricia Valenzuela

Human Behavioral Specialist

Mrs. Valenzuela is an educator, consultant, and presenter with over 30 years of experience supporting school districts, schools, companies, government agencies, and other organizations in need of a human development specialist.

Viviana Caballero

Assistant Director

Dustin Sekula Memorial Library

Daniel Rodriguez

Tobacco Coordinator

Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas

Mr. Rodriguez currently serves as the Tobacco Prevention Coordinator for the Prevention Resource Center 11 Program at Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas, where he has been employed since 2008. Throughout his tenure, he has held various positions including Community Liaison, Program Director, and PRC 11 Coordinator.

Before his current role, he dedicated over a decade of service from 1996 to 2008 to Mujeres Unidas / Women Together, initially as the Children’s Program Coordinator at their shelter, and subsequently as an Outreach Advocate. During this period, he devoted nine years to assisting children and women in overcoming domestic violence and sexual assault through constructive activities.

Jaira Loyde

Public Relations Coordinator

Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas

Jaira Loyde is the public relations coordinator at Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas. She has a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication. She enjoys being in the prevention field and being the change she wants to see In the world. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, or putting puzzles together.

Galina O. Reyes

Director of Child Nutrition Program

Vanguard Academy

Adriana Sanchez

GEAR UP Parent Ambassador

Vanguard Academy

Adriana holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a specialization in the psychopathology of student life. Passionate about understanding children's development, she has devoted her career to gaining insights into this field. Presently, she serves as a teacher's aide, actively contributing to nurturing young minds.

Rocio Saucedo

GEAR UP Parent Ambassador

Vanguard Academy

Rocío Saucedo is an immigrant from Mexico who now lives in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). Growing up amidst this vibrant and diverse environment, she discovered a myriad of opportunities available to her and her family. Eager to make a difference, Rocío embarked on a journey of self-improvement, undertaking various courses and certifications and even obtaining her GED.

Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Public Accounting, Rocío honed her skills in the corporate world, contributing to the enhancement of controls and procedures within transnational companies. Currently, she is pursuing a Master's degree in Education, driven by her passion for empowering individuals through learning.

Her commitment to service led her to volunteer, assisting English learners within her community. Presently, Rocío dedicates her efforts to collaborating with parents n need of a human development specialist.

Monica Ordonez

GEAR UP Parent Ambassador

Vanguard Academy

Augusto Contreras

Theater director, producer, professor & founder

Creative Arts Studio

Dr. Alex Stehn

Director of the Center for Bilingual Studies, UTRGV

Dr. Alex Stehn is Professor of Philosophy and the Interim Director of the Center for Bilingual Studies, as well as a Faculty Affiliate in Mexican American Studies. Along with his wife Dr. Mariana Alessandri, Dr. Stehn is also the co-founder of RGV PUEDE (Rio Grande Valley Parents United for Excellent Dual Education), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate and organize parents, families, and communities to support, improve, and extend dual language bilingual education programs from Pre-K to 12th across the Rio Grande Valley.

Dr. Mariana Alessandri

RGV Puede

Dr. Mariana Alessandri is associate professor of philosophy at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Her book, Night Vision: Seeing Ourselves Through Dark Moods aims to persuade readers to rethink anger, sadness, anxiety, grief, and depression. She lives in the RGV with two tesoros and a spouse with whom she founded RGV PUEDE, a nonprofit whose mission is to promote Dual Language Education in South Texas public schools.

Reyna Cuellar

Buckner Family Hope Center & Calvary Baptist Church

Mrs. Reyna is a dedicated educator with a wealth of experience in various teaching roles. With six years of service as a public school teacher, Reyna has demonstrated her passion for shaping young minds within the traditional classroom setting. Furthermore, her commitment to her children's education led her to homeschool them for four years, showcasing her adaptability and devotion to their academic and personal growth.

In addition to her formal teaching roles, Reyna has spent a decade as a substitute teacher, enriching numerous educational environments with her expertise and flexibility. Notably, she contributed to the educational community at Vanguard while her own children were enrolled there, fostering a deep connection with the institution and its students.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Reyna is an active participant in her community's spiritual development, having led ladies' Bible studies since 2002. Her dedication to both education and spiritual enrichment exemplifies her multifaceted commitment to serving others and nurturing holistic growth.