El Trabajo Sigue: Latinos for Education Programs Adapt to Changing Times

Latinos for Education | by Dr. Rick Rodriguez | May 6, 2021

Note: Latinos for Education is now accepting applications and nominations for both the Aspiring Latino Leaders Fellowship and Latinx Teachers Fellowship. The deadline to submit is May 10.

The COVID-19 global pandemic continues to present both challenges and opportunities for educators across the spectrum. With closures affecting at least 55.1 million students in 124,000 U.S. public and private schools, education leaders must remain at the forefront of ensuring students continue to receive a high-quality education and our systems are adapting to the growing needs of our diverse families. 

Coupled with nationwide unrest driven by a long history of racism, the last year has been a brewing pot of instability, exhaustion, and fear for communities of color. Our students have not been immune to these exposures. A community of educators equipped with the skills to address racism within our education systems is vital. 

We must seize the moment and at Latinos for Education we recognize our educators must play a critical role as we move forward in creating access and opportunities for all students. We believe in the power shared identities, experiences, and values have when being a voice and advocate for students facing crises. This power is activated when we embrace our Latinx identities and leverage them to expand our influence and impact.. 

In response to the changing education landscape of this past year, our team responded quickly to adapt program delivery and content. In 2021, we will deliver the Aspiring Latino Leaders Fellowship and Latinx Teachers Fellowship as national cohorts with fully virtual modality. With each program, 50-75 Fellows will have the opportunity to engage in content centered on driving equity and leading through a socially just lens in education. Fellows will also focus on building a familia of Latinx educators across regions sharing best practices, collaborating in identifying solutions, and exploring how we as a Latinx educators elevate our leadership and voices. This is our professional family.

With over 200 alumni in our network, we are seeing our Fellows transition to new leadership roles, apply and enroll in post-graduate programs, launch businesses, or even expand their sphere of influence within their current positions. We must continue to lead from our identity, agitate when necessary, and work con ganas to positively impact the education of our students.  Juntos, somo poderosos!

Nuestra familia continues to grow and you too can be a part of this powerful network! Applications for the 2021 programs are open. Learn more and apply: https://www.latinosforeducation.org/programs/