Gloria (she/her) is a first-generation student from Solvang, CA, the ancestral lands of the Chumash people. Gloria earned her Education Specialist Credential, a Master's degree in Special Education, with Bilingual Authorization in the spring of 2022.

Prior to attending Cal Poly School of Education, she graduated from Santa Clara University (SCU) with a B.A in Spanish Studies and double minors in Urban Education and Mathematics.

Throughout the years Gloria has served various roles with the goal of giving back to and empowering the immigrant BIPOC community. Some of these include Assistant Site Coordinator for Fun in the Sun Solvang, Program Assistant and Dance teacher for Ignatian Center’s Thriving Neighbors Initiative, Tutor for students in specialized and general education curriculums, Senior LEAD Week Assistant for the SCU LEAD Scholars Program and Community Liaison Coordinator for the Future Teachers Project at SCU. She is an alumna of the Educators of Colors Club at Cal Poly SLO.

During her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing Ballet Folklorico and playing with her dog.

Gloria is an education specialist in Santa Maria Bonita School District.

Oscar is the son of agricultural workers and immigrants from Mexico. He graduated from Cal Poly SLO History's Department in 2019. He then served for AmeriCorps V.I.P. for two years and received the 2021 AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (V.I.P.) of the year award at the 35th annual Cal Poly's community service awards. Oscar is involved with multiple grassroots movements that serve vulnerable and marginalize communities. Oscar also served with the San Luis Obispo D.E.I. Task Force to advance the efforts of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the city of San Luis Obispo, CA. Oscar earned his teaching credential in Social Science and completed his student teaching at Ernest Righetti High School in Santa Maria, CA. 

He is teaching high school ethnic studies at Santa Maria and has previously taught social studies.

Mariah Chavez earned her Bachelors degree from San Francisco State University and completed her Special Education Masters of Science and Education Specialist Credential from Cal Poly this spring 2022. Mariah has worked in elementary schools since her junior year of high school and her experiences were instrumental in shaping her career trajectory as a future educator. Creating an environment where all feel welcomed and valued is the most important thing in her classrooms. She is based out of Sacramento, California and has been visiting SLO county since she was a newborn. When she’s not in the classroom, she loves spending time in nature, being with family and practically anything Disney-related. Moving to San Luis Obispo and attending Cal Poly has always been a dream, moving her one step closer to being an educator.

She is an education specialist in Santa Maria Bonita School District. 

Nicole is born and raised on the California Central Coast and is a wife and mother of two wonderful children. 

She started her education with her Associate's Degree from Allan Hancock College then transferred to Brandman University and completed her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Studies while working full time and raising her children. She is a TIER resident in the Special Education strand where she will earn her education specialist credential along with a Master's in Special Education.

Since her very first job at the age of 16 tutoring at Nipomo Elementary School, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. She made great connections with the students she worked with and felt the real impacts in their learning and understanding. In 2013, she worked for the first time with people with disabilities at VTC Enterprises and loved being able to take the time to help those in need while teaching something new along the way. For the past four years, she has continued to gain experience working as a Special Education Behavioral Support Assistant and an Instructional Assistant at Santa Maria Bonita School District.

Nicole is working as an education specialist at Arellanes Elementary in Santa Maria Bonita School District.