Association of Latinx Leaders in Aldine Launches

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ALLA serves as a fellowship for Latinx educators and educational leaders.

District leaders have focused this school year on the strategic plan‘s mission-driven priority, which led to developing Aldine ISD’s leadership definition, which has three components: Connect, Inspire, and Impact. Research has proven that having strong leaders make a positive difference for our students. As they looked at data and the future, they determined that AISD currently does not have enough leaders “on the bench” ready to take over when needed. There is a strong need to promote leadership development that represents the district.

“Leadership matters,” Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Javier Villarreal said. “As we worked on defining what leadership means in Aldine, it became evident that leadership development is not only wanted by our employees but is needed to carry on the district’s mission and vision. This is what brought the Association of Latinx Leaders in Aldine or ALLA to fruition.”

There is no local organization geared to serve Latinx educational leaders in Aldine that offers leadership development. Several organizations offer professional development to help educators become the best teachers possible for students, but this is not the same as leadership development. Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney encouraged Dr. Villarreal to pursue developing the association.

The Association of Latinx Leaders’ mission in Aldine is to support the district’s goals and priorities by cultivating a pipeline of effective leaders to advocate for all students’ educational equity and success.

“We need leaders ready to take on responsibilities for what waits ahead for Aldine.  We owe it to our students to grow and develop the next generations of leaders,” Villarreal added.

The goals of the Association of Latinx Leaders in Aldine ISD:

• Expand leadership development opportunities for Latinx educators;
• Improve and maintain effective communication with Latinx leaders;
• Sponsor workshops, seminars, and other training sessions promoting leadership development and advancement of Latinx educators;
• Facilitate the recruitment and retention of Latinx employees to reflect the equitable representation of Latino/a/x students AISD;
• Advise the Superintendent of Schools and senior leadership of issues and concerns impacting Latino/a/x students in the district;
• Analyze and interpret district data and reports affecting Latino/a/x educational issues for dissemination to the greater Houston community;
• Promote and support the high expectations and achievements of Latino/a/x students by sponsoring activities and programs; and
• Support new systems and processes to increase the Aldine’s ability and capacity to maintain a system of great schools.
• Serve as role models for Latino/a/x students and serve as mentors for fellow Latinx educators.

Villarreal shared that offering scholarships to Aldine ISD students and active ALLA members who want to continue their higher education with graduate school is a future goal.

Who can join?

It is currently strictly for AISD employees. They must also currently be in a leadership role outside the classroom (i.e., skills specialist, district literacy coach, counselor, assistant principal, principal, central office administrator). This association is open to all leaders in Aldine ISD, not only those who identify as Latinx.

Immediate plans are to recruit and grow ALLA’s membership, offer resumé-building workshops in time of the “hiring season,” offer workshops on how to interview along with interview tips, and community service.

“We must have strong leadership at all our campuses and in all our departments,” Villarreal said. “The association is simply another avenue to help sharpen and enhance our leaders’ skills, so they are ready to take on new opportunities.”

The nonprofit held its first meeting earlier this month with identified individuals from throughout the district.

The association’s founding members are President Javier Villarreal, President-Elect Faviola Cantú, Treasurer Ana Flores-Bolivar, Leadership Development Director Patricia Rodríguez, Secretary Terra Thompson, Communications Director Charity Bostick, and Member Nereida Ochoa.

Follow ALLA on Twitter @ALL_in_Aldine