CALSA Summer Institute 2025

We begin our journey at Summer Institute 2025 by honoring the seeds we’ve planted and the roots that sustain our leadership. This opening general session embodies the spirit of Somos Semillas; we are seeds, grounded in community, and growing with purpose.
Enjoy a vibrant mariachi performance from the talented students of Sweetwater Union High School District, followed by a warm welcome from Dr. Eduardo Reyes, Superintendent of Chula Vista Elementary School District. CALSA President Dr. Roxane Fuentes will share an inspiring message to ground us in our collective vision.
We are honored to welcome keynote speaker Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho of Los Angeles Unified School District, whose bold leadership and commitment to equity will help us envision what’s possible when we rise together.
Let this session be the first light that nurtures the work ahead.

Immediately following our Problem of Practice Luncheon, stay with us for a powerful Spotlight Session featuring actor, director, producer, and humanitarian Edward James Olmos as he presents the transformative work of the Youth Cinema Project (YCP)—a program of the Latino Film Institute that engages students in hands-on filmmaking and prepares them for careers in entertainment and tech.
Mr. Olmos will be joined by LFI CEO Axel Caballero; Rachel Raimist, Ph.D., director, professor, and mentor; Dr. Raul Maldonado, Superintendent of Palmdale School District; and Dr. Karling Aguilera-Fort, former Oxnard School District Superintendent and current San Francisco Unified School District Deputy Superintendent.
The session includes a short screening and a panel discussion highlighting YCP’s academic impact, alignment with A-G/CTE pathways, and its role in empowering youth voice. Stanford University’s Center for Assessment Learning and Equity (SCALE) studied YCP and concluded that its curricular and instructional program implements research-based best practices supporting both academic and social-emotional learning and can close performance gaps, build socially and emotionally competent students and “change[ing] the trajectory of diverse students’ lives in ways we are only beginning to imagine.”

Gather with us for a signature mainstage experience that reflects the heart of our Somos Semillas: Cultivating the Future Together theme. Whether through a powerful keynote or an illuminating panel, this session will plant seeds of inspiration, nurture leadership rooted in purpose, and highlight the collective growth of our CALSA comunidad. Join us as we center voices that cultivate change and deepen our shared commitment to equity.

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the exceptional leaders within our CALSA community at the Honoring Our Own Gala. This ticketed event is an opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals who have dedicated themselves to advancing equity and excellence in education. The evening will feature inspiring speeches, heartfelt recognition, and the celebration of leadership across various categories. Don't miss this special occasion to connect with peers and uplift those who are making a profound impact in education.
Tickets are available for purchase and can be added to your conference registration. Visit the link for registration to secure your spot at this memorable event!

Join us as we conclude Summer Institute 2025 with a powerful and heartfelt closing session featuring keynote speaker Dr. Elizabeth J. Blanco of Pasadena Unified School District. A visionary leader and advocate for equity in education, Dr. Blanco will help us reflect on our journey, reignite our purpose, and plant the seeds for the work ahead.
We’ll honor the spirit of Somos Semillas, recognizing the growth we’ve nurtured together and the futures we continue to cultivate. This final gathering will include a traditional breakfast of pozole and menudo, and a vibrant student performance by the Ballet Folklorico from Chula Vista Elementary School District, celebrating culture, resilience, and comunidad.
Let us close this year’s institute in gratitude and unity, knowing the seeds we’ve planted will flourish in the lives of the students and communities we serve.