Welcome to the Summer Institute 2025 Schedule! We’re thrilled to have you join us for an empowering experience focused on Somos Semillas: Cultivating the Future Together.You’ll engage with inspiring speakers, dynamic panels, and interactive workshops designed to ignite leadership and foster meaningful connections. Secure your spot and book your stay now—access registration and hotel reservations here!Get ready to lead with purpose and passion! Let’s grow the future—together. 🌱 #SI2025
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Rather than handing over the math, what if we invited students to wrestle with it, wonder about it, and talk their way through it? For school leaders, fostering that kind of classroom doesn’t just happen through delegation—it takes intentionality, clarity, and systems that endure even as teams evolve. This session explores how leaders can shape instructional culture by guiding teachers to ask purposeful questions that open space for student thinking, spark peer-to peer discourse, and deepen understanding—especially for English Learners. Grounded in the California Math Framework, we’ll examine what rich “math talk” sounds like and share tools to help teachers design opportunities for students to share ideas, pose observations, and make meaning together. Leaders will walk away with strategies to create simple, repeatable structures that build accountability, support instructional coherence, and set a school-wide tone where student voice, curiosity, and collaborative thinking are not just encouraged—but expected.
Assistant Superintendent of Education Services, Centralia Elementary School District
Dr. Stacy Chang serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Education Services for the Centralia Elementary School District in Orange County, where her responsibilities encompass overseeing Curriculum & Innovation, Special Education, Student Services, Expanded Learning and Preschool... Read More →
Superintendent, Centralia Elementary School District
Ms. Norma E. Martinez has been with the Centralia Elementary School District since 2010 and is honored to be its Superintendent since 2015. She proudly leads her award-winning district with schools in the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park and La Palma. Her schools have received recognition... Read More →
Director of Curriculum and Innovation, Centralia Elementary School District
Tiffany Dominguez serves as the Director of Curriculum and Innovation at Centralia Elementary School District, where she leads transformative educational initiatives anchored in equity, excellence, and inclusion. With over two decades of experience in public education, she has held... Read More →
With over 30 years of experience in K-8 education, Erich Zeller’s passion for learning and teaching has only grown deeper. His first experience came as a bilingual elementary teacher in Los Angeles. Coming to the United States as a Spanish speaking, 8-year-old immigrant from South... Read More →
Join a powerful conversation with visionary educational leaders who are transforming data into tools that elevate student voice and affirm cultural identity. This dynamic panel will explore the intersection of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), cultural responsiveness, and the celebration of biliteracy, offering practical strategies that move from policy to practice. Gain insights into how schools and districts can reimagine equity by embedding language and culture into every layer of support. Our esteemed panelists will share their philosophies, lived experiences, and innovative approaches to ensuring all students are seen, valued, and empowered.
Stepping into a school or district leadership role is one of the most rewarding—and challenging—journeys in education. This dynamic session brings together the powerful voices of a first-year superintendent and an 11-year veteran to offer an honest, engaging, and inspiring look at the realities of leading in today’s educational landscape.
Attendees will hear directly from a new superintendent as he shares the highs, lows, and everything in between during his first year. He’ll reflect on navigating relationships, setting vision, responding to crises, and finding his voice as a leader. Alongside him, a seasoned superintendent will share enduring lessons from over a decade of leadership: the pivots that matter, the mistakes that shape growth, and the non-negotiables for long-term impact. Together, they’ll provide practical advice, heartfelt encouragement, and real strategies that new and aspiring leaders can take back to their own districts.
Key Takeaways: • First-year survival tips: what no one tells you but you need to know • The power of mentorship and reflection in leadership development • Strategies for building trust, vision, and culture from day one • Long-term leadership lessons: what matters most over time • Q&A with both leaders to dig deeper into participant questions
Whether you're a new administrator, an aspiring leader, or a mentor to others, this session will leave you informed, encouraged, and empowered.
