Dear IALAS Familia,
November arrives, bringing with it a sense of reflection, gratitude, and the celebration of cherished traditions. As we journey through this month, let us embrace the opportunity to honor our values, remember our loved ones, and serve our amazing communities and students with a grateful heart.
El día de los muertos, the Day of the Dead, allows us to pay tribute to those who have passed, remembering them with love, respect, and joy. It's a reminder that our traditions and cultural heritage enrich our lives and connect us to generations past. This tradition is not only about remembrance but a celebration of life and the bonds that unite us.
November is also a month of gratitude, where we acknowledge the countless blessings that surround us. We are grateful for the privilege to serve our communities and students, guiding them toward a brighter future. The impact we make is a testament to the dedication and passion of our IALAS members. It's a time to reflect on the positive change we bring to the lives of the students and communities we serve.
I want to extend my heartfelt gracias to all of our IALAS members who were able to attend our IALAS Network Mixer in October. We had a great turnout and enjoyed the opportunity to connect with each and every one of you. We hope you enjoyed the networking opportunity and had the time to build new relationships with other IALAS members. These connections are invaluable as we work together to empower Latino administrators and enhance educational opportunities.
Save the date for our upcoming event on the horizon! IALAS IMPACTO 2024 Educational Conclave: Leadership, Policy & Equity on January 19, 2024. Our conference focus is clear: Latino students across our State are encountering challenges that profoundly influence their education. Given the current migrant situation, there has never been a more crucial moment for education leaders from all corners of our state to unite. We aim to foster meaningful dialogues, facilitate learning, and create networking opportunities to explore how, collectively, we can make a lasting impact.Stay tuned for more details regarding the conference, which we will be sharing soon.
I'm thrilled to share that our new IALAS website is now live, offering improved accessibility and a better view. Explore it to find valuable resources, stay updated on our events and initiatives, and connect with our community more seamlessly. It's a reflection of our commitment to keeping you well-informed and engaged. We invite you to visit www.ialas.org to stay connected!
Our vision is to be a driving force in fostering culturally responsive leadership, advocacy, and collaboration. Our mission is to provide a supportive network that promotes these values. With your continued dedication, we strive to make a profound impact on education and empower our communities. It's a moment to come together, share insights, and drive positive change.
As we navigate through November, let us carry forward the spirit of unity, remembrance, and gratitude. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact on education and create a brighter future for our students. Thank you for your commitment to IALAS and our shared mission. I'm excited to walk this path with each of you.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Maria Burgos
President, Illinois Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (IALAS)
Mentorship Updates
ALAS’s Mentoring Program is committed to increasing the number of Latino/a administrators district level and superintendent leadership roles. We believe one of the most effective ways to support the aforementioned is to provide mentoring opportunities.
This school year, IALAS is planning on offering 1:1 mentoring services and we need your help! Please complete the respective survey if you are interested in being a mentor or mentee. IALAS will coordinate the partnership, however, both parties will determine what the relationship will look like, sound like, and feel like.
Scholarship Updates
Interested in subsidizing your graduate course costs? Well, IALAS has you covered. IALAS is offering one-time scholarships to IALAS members in Latino/a serving districts. We will be offering three $1000 scholarships each.
If you are interested in applying, please complete the Google Form HERE. You can email Nicholas Guerrero at Nguerrero@ialas.org with any questions. Application deadline will be in early 2024. Quick overview below:
Introductory essay.
Brief biography.
Profile picture.
Professor letter of recommendation #1.
Professor letter of recommendation #2.
Professional reference letter of recommendation.
IALAS member letter of recommendation.
Partnerships by Treasurer Kris Rivera
We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our newest sponsors, WEPA Libros and Imagine Learning, for their continued support of IALAS. Their generous support plays a vital role in realizing our vision: To unify and cultivate educational leaders, serving Latino communities, for the purpose of promoting equity & empowering all students.
We invite you to take a moment to explore their websites:
WEPA Libros: https://www.wepalibros.com/
Imagine Learning: https://www.imaginelearning.com/
The invaluable support from our sponsors is instrumental in our ability to provide significant assistance to educators and students. In the year ahead, my primary objective is to establish a format that fosters meaningful connections between sponsors and administrators, benefiting both parties and fostering genuine relationships.
One key development on our horizon is the facilitation of focus group interactions between sponsors and administrators. These discussions will yield insights and feedback beneficial for both sides. The input from administrators is crucial for vendors to tailor their products to align with our specific needs. To further engage superintendents and decision-making administrators, we will be introducing meaningful incentives to encourage their active participation. One idea includes offering scholarships to districts participating in focus groups with vendors, thereby supporting the educational pipeline, particularly in the context of empowering Latino students. We anticipate this exciting opportunity in the spring of 2024.
We are confident that these endeavors signify a step in the right direction, ultimately benefiting both students and educators across Illinois. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our cause.
Membership Announcement and Career Opportunities by Members at Large Darlene Vargas
Membership Announcement:
Please consider becoming a member of IALAS as it provides you with access to exclusive resources, workshops, and events. It also provides a chance to network with other leaders from around the state. By becoming a member of IALAS, you will have access to professional development opportunities that can help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the job market.
If you are interested in an individual membership click here!
If you are interested in an organizational membership click here!
Renew your IALAS membership today!
Advocacy by Historian Rocío del Castillo
Government Technology
Students from four states will team up with their peers in Puerto Rico to collaborate on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) projects while learning about each other's cultures. Read More
SCHOOL LEADERS NEWS
Catapulting teachers into school leadership positions too soon comes with a cost
EdSurge
Too often, teachers are rapidly elevated from the classroom to school leadership positions, whether to fill an unexpected vacancy, act as an interim administrator or to take on a permanent leadership role. Read More
In Culturize, Latino author and education leader Jimmy Casas shares insights into what it takes to cultivate a community of learners who embody the innately human traits our world desperately needs, such as kindness, honesty, and compassion. His stories reveal how these "soft skills" can be honed while meeting and exceeding academic standards of twenty-first-century learning.
Thought the book, Jimmy Casas shares his approach to:
How to reach those who seem unreachable
What to do when students disengage or drop out of school
How to ensure your learners feel cared for and empowered
How to create an environment where all learners are challenged and inspired to be their best
ALAS Scholarship Art Auction
Click here to Bid Now!
Superintendents Leadership Council
Every educator recognizes the importance of both language development and language arts skills. But it can be challenging to provide the right opportunities for both—particularly for emerging bilingual/English learner students.
Join us for a live webinar on Wednesday, November 15, to hear from three bilingual educators who have navigated the challenges of integrating language development and language arts standards into their instruction.
They’ll share strategies for supporting emerging bilingual students at different levels of language development and across different grade levels—including high school. They’ll also explain how to best use assessment tools and data to improve student outcomes. Learn more and register.
IALAS is hosting a variety of events in the coming months that offer members a chance to learn from and collaborate with one another, as well as to get up-to-date on the latest research and trends in the educational field. Additionally, they provide members with the chance to expand their professional networks, which can be invaluable for career growth. Please keep the following dates open:
Winter Educational Conclave: January 19, 2024- More Information to Follow
Annual Statewide Conference: April 12, 2024- More Information to Follow
