Dear IALAS Familia,
As September dawns upon us, it brings with it a tapestry of colores, culturas, and celebraciones! It's a month filled with significance, from marking the beginning of a new school year to honoring Hispanic Heritage Month, which pays tribute to our beloved Latin American countries of many of the students we have the privilege of leading. During this month, we celebrate the vibrant cultures, histories, and contributions of our Latin American brothers and sisters. This month is not just a celebration; it is a profound opportunity for us to reflect, learn, and embrace the contributions of Latin American countries to our world.
Throughout this month, let us celebrate the achievements of Latino leaders, past and present, who have left a profound mark on our world. Their stories are a testament to the power of education, resilience, and the enduring spirit of our communities. Let us also embrace the responsibility of empowering Latino students, fostering a sense of pride in their heritage, and creating inclusive environments where they can thrive academically and culturally.
As members of IALAS, you play a pivotal role in promoting inclusivity within our educational institutions. It's a time to share best practices and initiatives that ensure our schools are welcoming and respectful of diverse backgrounds. Let’s continue to forge partnerships and organize experiences that strengthen the bonds between our schools and our communities. Together, we can create a supportive network that empowers our students and enriches our educational programs.
As we step into September, let us embrace the opportunities it offers. Let us be the change-makers, the mentors and advocates, and the guiding lights that empower our students to soar to new heights. Let’s carry the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month with us throughout the year. Together, we can continue to work towards our goals of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.
It goes without saying but let’s also celebrate the achievements of our own members within IALAS. Each of you contributes to the success and well-being of Latino students and the broader community. Your dedication is commendable, and your impact is immeasurable.
With deep appreciation,
Maria Burgos, Ed.S.
President, Illinois Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (IALAS)
One-time scholarships will be awarded to IALAS candidates in Latino/a serving districts. We will be offering three $1000 scholarships each. Here is the overview of what will need to be submitted. Please share your application with Nicholas Guerrero at Nguerrero@ialas.org. Application deadline will be in early 2024.
IALAS Scholarship Application Form
Introductory essay
Brief biography
Profile picture
ALAS member letter of recommendation.
Professor letter of recommendation #1
Professor letter of recommendation #2
Professional reference letter of recommendation
Partnerships by Treasurer Kris Rivera
As the new Treasurer of IALAS, one of my main responsibilities is to generate partnerships with sponsors. Sponsorships assist us in funding our events, the scholarship program, and to offset expenses related to our financial software, social media, our website access and other expenses that IALAS incurs. To that end, I would like to highlight last year's sponsors that I will be reaching out to for this upcoming year. They are: Care Solace, Imagine Learning, Curriculum Associates, Renaissance, Grand Canyon University, IXL, Achieve 3000, Lexia, matific, and Franklin Covey. Next, I would like to provide my contact information for you to share with any vendors that you currently work with that may be interested in partnering with IALAS. My email address is krivera@ialas.org.
Membership Announcement and Career Opportunities by Members at Large Darlene Vargas
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:
Fall Mixer: October 12, 2023. More Information to Follow
Winter Educational Conclave: January 19, 2024- More Information to Follow
- Annual Statewide Conference: April 12. 2024- More Information to Follow
Renew your IALAS membership today!
If you are interested in an individual membership click here!
If you are interested in an organizational membership click here!
Advocacy by Historian Rocío del Castillo
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Valley View School District 365U Collaborative Literacy Retreat
In this powerful professional learning event, educators and leaders from Valley View School District 365U and other Illinois districts will come together to discuss their instructional challenges and what they're doing to promote student engagement, accelerate learning growth, and empower teachers. Click here for more information.
Keynote Speaker : Dr. Gholdy Muhammad Associate Professor of Literacy, Language, and Culture, University of Chicago and author of the bestselling book Cultivating Genius: An Equity Model for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy
