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Founder and Director, Habla Futures Initiative
Sailee Charlu founded and directs the Habla Futures Initiative, encompassing Habla Arte and The Lit League — bilingual nonprofits using visual arts and spoken poetry to bridge language barriers across Title I schools internationally. As a research intern with UC Irvine’s Bilingualism Matters California Initiative, she studies how dual-language immersion and arts-based instruction strengthen biliteracy, and contributes to the California Department of Education’s forthcoming translanguaging guidance. Her leadership has brought together researchers, state agencies, and classroom educators around a shared mission of advancing multilingual education.
Professor, School of Education; Co-Creator, HABLA Lab — University of California, Irvine
Dr. Peña’s research on the identification of developmental language disorder (DLD) in bilingual children has directly informed how schools and clinicians nationwide distinguish typical bilingual development from a genuine language disorder, reducing misdiagnosis and improving equity in outcomes. As co-creator of the HABLA Lab at UC Irvine, she continues to advance bilingual-specific assessment practices used by educators and clinicians across the country.
Ph.D. Candidate, Bilingualism and Language Development — University of California, Irvine
Reinaldo’s research examines typical and atypical bilingual development at the intersection of sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics, with close attention to how social and educational factors shape language outcomes. He integrates quantitative and network-based approaches to advance multilingual assessment and has been active in initiatives promoting open science.
Twelve researchers, policymakers, and educators join us for collaborative audience sessions across research, policy, and education.
Bilingual Program Coordinator, Teacher Education Program — University of California, Riverside
A career spanning bilingual classroom teaching, county-level EL/Dual Immersion coordination, and university teacher preparation, Dra. Nicholls now coordinates UC Riverside’s Bilingual Program, sits on the CABTE board, and leads Nicholls Educational Consulting, advising Dual Language Immersion programs nationwide. Fluent in English and Spanish, she has shaped bilingual teacher preparation at nearly every level of the education system.
Assistant Professor of Teacher Education and Dual Language Learning — CSU Dominguez Hills
Dr. Herrera’s scholarship centers on dual-language teacher preparation and the use of bilingual children’s literature to build community and literacy in multilingual classrooms, connecting academic research directly to classroom practice.
Assistant Professor — University of Iowa
Dr. Kutlu’s research contributes to the broader empirical foundation on bilingualism and language processing that underpins Habla Futures’ research partnerships, extending the Initiative’s academic network into the Midwest.
Professor — Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Soto’s academic work in bilingual and multilingual education adds to the network of university-based researchers Habla Futures draws on for its programming, reflecting the Initiative’s growing ties to major research institutions.
Assistant Professor — University of Alabama
Dr. Fahey’s faculty position extends Habla Futures’ research network into the American South, broadening the geographic reach of its academic partnerships beyond its California core.
Professor of Linguistics — Egypt
Dr. Alhamshary’s work in linguistics brings an international, North African perspective to Habla Futures’ community of bilingualism researchers, reinforcing the Initiative’s global scope.
PhD Student and Teaching Assistant (Principal Instructor) — University of California, Riverside
Elisa’s doctoral research and instructional role at UC Riverside contribute directly to the pipeline of emerging bilingualism scholars Habla Futures supports, bridging graduate research and undergraduate instruction.
PhD Candidate — University of Rochester
Ulises’s doctoral work extends Habla Futures’ research network into the Northeast, adding another emerging scholar to its growing academic community.
Senior Research Assistant — Florida International University
Kaylah’s research role at Florida International University brings a Southeastern academic perspective to Habla Futures’ national research network, contributing to its work outside California.
Doctoral Student — Texas Woman’s University
Emelia’s doctoral studies contribute to the growing bench of emerging researchers connected to Habla Futures’ academic programming, extending its reach into Texas.
Independent Researcher
Dr. Aresi’s doctoral credential and independent research background add further academic depth to Habla Futures’ research community, outside the bounds of any single institution.
PhD Student — University of British Columbia
Sophia’s doctoral research extends Habla Futures’ academic network into Canada, reflecting the international reach of its research partnerships beyond the United States.
PhD Director of Research Practice Partnerships at California Education Partners — Stanford University
Laura has worked to unite research, policy and practice by directing the Stanford University and San Francisco Unified School District partnership.
Leaders shaping multilingual education policy at the state and county level.
Statewide Literacy Co-Director — California Department of Education
A 21-year educator, Dr. Garcia leads statewide efforts to strengthen evidence-based literacy instruction and improve early reading outcomes, with a sustained focus on third-grade reading proficiency, literacy legislation, and educator capacity building.
Director, Multilingual Support Division — California Department of Education
With nearly three decades in bilingual education spanning the classroom to county administration, Alesha now directs the Multilingual Support Division, overseeing Title III and Title I, Part C programs on behalf of English learner, immigrant, and migratory students statewide.
Education Programs Consultant, Multilingual Support Division — California Department of Education
Lorrie supports the Multilingual Support Division’s implementation of state policy and technical assistance for English learner and multilingual education programs statewide, working directly with local educational agencies.
Superintendent — Orange County Department of Education
Dr. Bean leads the Orange County Department of Education, the county agency providing educational leadership, direct services, and support to school districts serving students across Orange County.
Trustee — Orange County Department of Education / Orange County Board of Education
Trustee Valdes serves on the Orange County Board of Education, the elected body overseeing countywide educational policy and governance, including programming that touches multilingual learners.
Senior Administrator, National Training Center, Project GLAD — Orange County Department of Education
Dr. Chavez oversees national training standards for Project GLAD, one of the country’s most widely adopted instructional models for English learner language acquisition, extending its reach well beyond Orange County.
Coordinator, Project GLAD and Multilingual Academic Services — Orange County Department of Education
Cecilia coordinates Project GLAD and Multilingual Academic Services for Orange County, building on prior roles as an assistant principal and EL instructional specialist, and an early career serving unaccompanied refugee minors at Crittenton Services.
Deputy Director — Californians Together
A fifth-generation Azusa resident and daughter of a Mexican immigrant, Xilonin has served on the Azusa USD Board of Education since 2001 and now leads policy and advocacy work for Californians Together, a statewide coalition for multilingual learners.
Professor and Fulbright Specialist; Past President, CABTE — National University
Dr. Amador-Lankster directs National University’s Master of Bilingual Education program and has designed EL professional development across 26 states, continuing that work nationally and internationally through her 2024–2027 Fulbright Specialist appointment.
President — California Association for Bilingual Teacher Education (CABTE)
Adam leads CABTE’s statewide advocacy for strengthening California’s bilingual teacher preparation pipeline, representing the interests of programs and educators across the state.
Board of Directors, CABTE; UC Santa Cruz (retired)
Danna brings decades of bilingual teacher education experience to her continued board service with CABTE, following her retirement from UC Santa Cruz.
Development Officer, Home, Heritage and Community Languages — National Consortium for Languages Education (UK)
Clare’s work with the UK’s National Consortium for Languages Education brings an international perspective to Habla Futures’ policy network, connecting heritage-language advocacy across borders and education systems.
Principal Consultant — Illinois State Board of Education
Cynthia’s role advising Illinois’ state education agency extends Habla Futures’ policy network beyond California into the Midwest, adding a second state-level policy perspective to the group.
Multilingual Specialist — DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Francesca’s work supporting multilingual learners at the district level brings a national capital perspective to the network, connecting Habla Futures to federal-adjacent education policy.
Bilingual Education State Manager — Puerto Rico
Jeannine’s role overseeing bilingual education policy for Puerto Rico extends Habla Futures’ reach into a U.S. territory with a distinct bilingual education context, shaped by its own history of language policy.
Coordinator of Impact and Belonging — Santa Clara County Office of Education
Dr. Mancera de Gonzalez’s role brings a Northern California county office perspective to Habla Futures’ policy network, focused on equity and belonging in education systems beyond the Southern California core.
Director of Bilingual Education — Bastrop Independent School District
Lizbeth directs bilingual education programming for Bastrop ISD, extending Habla Futures’ policy and systems network into Texas and its distinct approach to bilingual instruction.
Director — Ensemble Learning
Muriel’s leadership at Ensemble Learning brings an organizational partner focused on educational programming into Habla Futures’ network, broadening its base beyond public school systems.
Coordinator of Multilingual Learners — Volusia County Schools
Julia coordinates multilingual learner programming for Volusia County Schools, extending Habla Futures’ policy network into Florida and its growing multilingual student population.
Lecturer — BA ISAGO University, Botswana
Godiramang’s faculty position brings a Southern African academic and policy perspective to Habla Futures’ international network, reflecting the Initiative’s reach across continents.
Elected officials and advocates carrying multilingual education policy into the state legislature.
Head of Policy Team, Office of Assemblymember Avelino Valencia — California State Assembly
Luiz leads policy work for Assemblymember Valencia’s office, advising on education and multilingual learner policy within California’s 68th Assembly District and translating community priorities into legislative action.
Assemblymember, 68th District — California State Assembly
Assemblymember Valencia represents California’s 68th Assembly District in the State Assembly, participating in legislation affecting education and the communities his district serves.
Senator — California State Senate
Senator Umberg and his legislative team represent their constituents in the California State Senate, engaging on matters of state law and policy relevant to education.
Legislative Advocate — Californians Together
Natalie advocates in Sacramento on behalf of Californians Together’s statewide coalition for multilingual learners, working directly with legislators to advance policy priorities.
Legislative Advocate — Californians Together
Manuel advocates in Sacramento on behalf of Californians Together’s statewide coalition for multilingual learners, working directly with legislators to advance policy priorities.
Legislative Advocate — Californians Together
Mario advocates in Sacramento on behalf of Californians Together’s statewide coalition for multilingual learners, working directly with legislators to advance policy priorities.
Legislative Advocate — California Association for Bilingual Teacher Education (CABTE)
Nirmla represents CABTE’s legislative interests, advocating before state policymakers for policy that strengthens California’s bilingual teacher pipeline.
Practitioners bringing bilingual and translanguaging pedagogy directly into classrooms and communities.
Spanish Teacher — Orange County School of the Arts
Lee Ann has taught with language acquisition methodologies for 20-plus years, a practice rooted in her own path to bilingualism that began on a study-abroad trip to Costa Rica in 1995. She has since expanded into private Spanish instruction within the local community.
Founder and CEO — Speak Taco
María founded Speak Taco in 2017, building an immersive, culturally connected methodology that helps students develop language skills while strengthening confidence, identity, and connection to their roots.
Korean Dual Language Immersion (KDLI) Teacher — Anaheim Union High School District
An English learner herself, Leanne teaches Korean at both the middle and high school levels and is committed to translanguaging practices that promote student voice, belonging, and academic success.
Youth Translanguaging Instructor — Savannah High School
Stephanie works directly with students on translanguaging practices in the classroom, extending Habla Futures’ pedagogical approach into daily instruction and student engagement.
Bilingual Literacy Coach — American Reading Company
Christina coaches bilingual literacy instruction for American Reading Company, bringing a national curriculum partner’s perspective to classroom practice and instructional design.
Principal — Arovista Elementary
Eric leads Arovista Elementary as principal, bringing a school-site administrative perspective to Habla Futures’ educator network and its work in local classrooms.
Principal — Santa Ana Unified School District
Miriam’s school-site leadership in Santa Ana Unified connects Habla Futures’ educator network directly to one of its home communities and its multilingual student population.
Councilmember — Santa Ana City Council
Councilwoman Lopez represents her district on the Santa Ana City Council, participating in municipal decisions that affect the city’s multilingual families and students.
Mayor — City of Santa Ana
Mayor Amezcua serves as the Mayor of the City of Santa Ana, leading citywide initiatives in one of Orange County’s largest and most linguistically diverse cities.
Trustee — Orange County Board of Education
Trustee Valdes serves on the Orange County Board of Education, overseeing countywide educational policy and governance, including programming that touches multilingual learners.
Trustee — Anaheim Union High School District
Trustee Randle-Trejo serves on the Anaheim Union High School District’s governing board, home to several of Habla Futures’ partner dual-language programs.
School Board Member — Scotts Valley Unified School District
Lucia serves on the Scotts Valley Unified School District’s governing board, extending Habla Futures’ local-government network into Northern California.
