My Leadership Journey
My Leadership Journey
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I am a Hispanic first generation high school and college graduate who was raised by immigrant parents in Mercedes, a small town in South Texas. I attended Texas A&I University (now A&M) in Kingsville and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. I eventually got married and had two beautiful daughters.
I am a Hispanic first generation high school and college graduate who was raised by immigrant parents in Mercedes, a small town in South Texas. I attended Texas A&I University (now A&M) in Kingsville and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. I eventually got married and had two beautiful daughters.
I was an elementary teacher for 12 years, and after divorcing, made the decision to go back to school to obtain my Masters in Library & Information Science from the University of Texas. In 2001, I obtained my first librarian position at an elementary campus in the Leander ISD and eventually opened 2 new elementary libraries and in 2011, became the district library coordinator and the role I currently serve in.
I was an elementary teacher for 12 years, and after divorcing, made the decision to go back to school to obtain my Masters in Library & Information Science from the University of Texas. In 2001, I obtained my first librarian position at an elementary campus in the Leander ISD and eventually opened 2 new elementary libraries and in 2011, became the district library coordinator and the role I currently serve in.
During that time, I also became involved in the Texas Library Association; I attended the TALL Texans Leadership Development Institute and in 2017, became the Texas Association of School Librarians Division Chair. This position introduced me to ALA and AASL, and opened opportunities to serve on the AASL Board of Directors, the Center for the Future of Libraries Advisory Board and the Intellectual Freedom Committee. In February 2022, I was selected for the 4th Cohort of the ALA Policy Corp and in April 2023, I was selected for the ALA Policy Corp Book Ban Cadre. Each of these leadership experiences expanded my advocacy impact, stretched my network reach and provided me the opportunity to build relationship with librarians of all library types across the country.
During that time, I also became involved in the Texas Library Association; I attended the TALL Texans Leadership Development Institute and in 2017, became the Texas Association of School Librarians Division Chair. This position introduced me to ALA and AASL, and opened opportunities to serve on the AASL Board of Directors, the Center for the Future of Libraries Advisory Board and the Intellectual Freedom Committee. In February 2022, I was selected for the 4th Cohort of the ALA Policy Corp and in April 2023, I was selected for the ALA Policy Corp Book Ban Cadre. Each of these leadership experiences expanded my advocacy impact, stretched my network reach and provided me the opportunity to build relationship with librarians of all library types across the country.
I am a co-founding member of Texas #FReadom Fighters, the first grassroots group launched in 2021 committed to highlighting the positive work of librarians, to speak up in support of authors and students, and to provide professional resources for librarians, teachers or authors facing book challenges. This work led to being awarded the Outstanding Services to Libraries by the Texas Library Association, the AASL Intellectual Freedom Award and the Downs Intellectual Freedom Award in 2021. In January 2023, I was selected for People Magazine's Women Changing the World portfolio and in 2025, I was awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Literary Freedom Award.
I am a co-founding member of Texas #FReadom Fighters, the first grassroots group launched in 2021 committed to highlighting the positive work of librarians, to speak up in support of authors and students, and to provide professional resources for librarians, teachers or authors facing book challenges. This work led to being awarded the Outstanding Services to Libraries by the Texas Library Association, the AASL Intellectual Freedom Award and the Downs Intellectual Freedom Award in 2021. In January 2023, I was selected for People Magazine's Women Changing the World portfolio and in 2025, I was awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Literary Freedom Award.
In my many years as a district library coordinator, I've partnered with principals on hiring, assisted in the facilities planning for 10+ school libraries, coordinated strategic planning for library services to align with district goals, and planned and delivered professional learning for school librarians. I have also worked with our school administration to navigate book challenges, implement Texas legislative mandates and strengthen parent partnerships by increasing transparency about school library processes in our school district.
In my many years as a district library coordinator, I've partnered with principals on hiring, assisted in the facilities planning for 10+ school libraries, coordinated strategic planning for library services to align with district goals, and planned and delivered professional learning for school librarians. I have also worked with our school administration to navigate book challenges, implement Texas legislative mandates and strengthen parent partnerships by increasing transparency about school library processes in our school district.
I have presented in person at local, state, national and international conferences on topics including facilities planning, library programming, technology integration, intellectual freedom and literacy. I've also led presentations via webinars and been invited to share my knowledge on many podcasts. I have also written for the Knowledge Quest journal and blog, the American Libraries Magazine, and the Texas Library Journal.
I have presented in person at local, state, national and international conferences on topics including facilities planning, library programming, technology integration, intellectual freedom and literacy. I've also led presentations via webinars and been invited to share my knowledge on many podcasts. I have also written for the Knowledge Quest journal and blog, the American Libraries Magazine, and the Texas Library Journal.
Through all this, I've raised two beautiful daughters and watched as they've built lives of their own. I have two school-age grandchildren who I adore. In my spare time, I love to read, cook, watch movies and connect with family and friends.
Through all this, I've raised two beautiful daughters and watched as they've built lives of their own. I have two school-age grandchildren who I adore. In my spare time, I love to read, cook, watch movies and connect with family and friends.
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