Program

12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

California Latino School Boards Association (CLSBA) Luncheon ($95)

Speaker: Dr. Theresa Montaño, Professor, Teacher-Trainer, Curriculum Writer/Leader, Legislative Advocate, Author, and Researcher

This year’s CLSBA Keynote speaker is Dr. Theresa Montano, a professor, teacher-trainer, curriculum leader, legislative advocate, author, and researcher who has extensively studied the impacts of educational inequalities on Chicanx Latinx communities and the positive implications of Ethnic Studies K-16 for the 20th Century.

Dr. Montano began her teaching career as a middle school para-educator. She became a middle and high School Social Studies classroom teacher and taught for 15 years in Los Angeles and Denver. Dr. Montaño was also on the staff of United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), where she worked as a professional development specialist and as an area representative for nine years. Dr. Montano was the first coordinator of the Helen Bernstein Professional Development Center. While at UTLA, she helped establish a program for teachers interested in securing their National Board certification and helped secure a stipend and retirement benefits for those teachers. In partnership with LAUSD, she engaged in program and curriculum development for Dial-a-Teacher, Multilingual Teacher Academies, the New Teacher Academy, and SB 1969/CLAD certification. She also served on the Board of Directors, House of Representatives, and CTA State Council.

15 years of experience as a middle and high school teacher in Los Angeles, coupled with more than decade in higher education, gives Dr. Montano a special understanding of issues facing educators in California’s public schools. In 2000, she left UTLA to work for the UCLA Teacher Education Program as a faculty advisor and in 2003, she accepted a position at Cal State Northridge in Chicana/o Studies, area of emphasis: Education.

As a union activist, she continues her involvement in the California Faculty Association, where she leads the public education work. At CSU Northridge, Theresa teaches courses on Equity and Diversity In Schools, The Chicana/o Child, and is an advisor to students enrolled in the Masters’ Program. Dr. Montaño has articles, texts and books on issues like teacher activism, educational injustice and educating the Latino/a and Chicano/a student. She previously served for six years as an NEA board director, the president of the National Council for Higher Education and CTA Vice President. She has also served as president of educational rights organizations such as the National Association for Multicultural Education, the California Association of Mexican-American Educators, among others.

Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Superintendent Luncheon ($95)

Speaker: Dr. Robin Avelar La Salle, President and Founder, Orenda Education

Dr. Robin Avelar La Salle is President and Founder of Orenda Education, a professional education and technical assistance organization.  For more than 25 years, Dr. Avelar La Salle and the Orenda team have been thought partners for districts and schools aspiring to transform their systems and practices to raise student achievement.  An equity warrior and an advocate for justice within the educational system, Dr. Avelar La Salle’s mission is to change the odds for the twenty million kids in US schools for whom the current systems of instruction and improvement are not working — predominantly Latino, African American, and students from under-resourced families.  

She received her Ph.D. in Education from Stanford University, and during her career has held the roles of teacher, principal, district administrator, researcher, and university professor. She is the author of many articles on education equity and several books, including her newest work Shattering Inequities: Real World Wisdom for School and District Leaders, written in partnership with Dr. Ruth S. Johnson.

5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

CSBA Golden Bell Awards Reception and Ceremony ($95)

Registration will open in September. This event is 21+ only, no students will be admitted into the event.

7:15 – 8:30 a.m.

Asian Pacific Islander School Board Members Association Breakfast ($60)

Speakers: David Min, CA State Senator, 37th District and Alex Lee, CA State Assemblymember, 25th District

7:00 – 9:00 a.m.

California County Boards of Education Breakfast/Membership Meeting ($60)

11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

California Association of Black School Educators Luncheon ($95)

California Suburban School Districts Association Luncheon ($95)

Speaker: Anne Vasquez, Executive Officer, EdSource

Anne Vasquez took the helm as EdSource’s Executive Officer in May 2021. Previously, she served as Director of Content and Strategic Initiatives at EdSource. In that role, she helped shape editorial strategy, grow partnerships and expand the organization’s footprint throughout California. Prior to joining EdSource, Anne was an executive at Tribune Publishing, where she most recently served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Chief Digital Officer. She previously was the Managing Editor of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Anne began her career at The Miami Herald and the San Jose Mercury News, where she was an education reporter and later an editor. 

California Council of School Attorneys (Luncheon Only) ($95)

Chaperone Ticket for Student Board Member Networking Lunch ($95)

Takes place at San Diego Convention Center

CSBA Legislative Action Luncheon ($95)

Speakers: Paul Mitchell, Vice President of Political Data, Inc. (PDI) and Jared Boigon, Partner, TBWBH Props & Measures

Small School Districts Luncheon ($95)

Topic of Discussion: Mental Health 

Urban School Districts Luncheon ($95)

Speaker: Russ Sperling, Director of Visual and Performing Arts, San Diego USD

Russ Sperling, Director of Visual and Performing Arts for San Diego Unified School District, is responsible for all components of arts education in California’s second-largest school district. Under his leadership, the district adopted two Strategic Arts Education Plans, in 2016 and in 2022, both resulting in substantial increases in district support for arts education.  He led the establishment of VAPA Foundation, a non-profit, in 2017, which raises funds for arts education in San Diego schools.  Russ will speak about how school districts can identify resources and implement programs to increase the quantity and quality of arts education in their schools.  Attendees will also hear student jazz musicians from Mission Bay H.S. perform and speak about their arts experiences.