Dear IALAS Familia,
Happy New Year and welcome to 2024, a year filled with hope, potential, and new opportunities! As we embark on this new journey, let’s carry with us the inspiration and lessons from the past year, using them to fuel our passion and dedication to the students we serve.
Each new year offers a blank slate, an opportunity to write a story of success, service, and impact. As educators and leaders in our communities, our role extends beyond teaching; we are the architects of future leaders, the nurturers of dreams and aspirations. Let’s seize this year with renewed vigor, embracing each challenge as an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and communities we are changed to serve.
As we step into 2024, remember that our collective efforts contribute to a greater cause – shaping an educational landscape where every student, regardless of background, has access to quality education and the chance to achieve their full potential. Our commitment to this cause is what makes IALAS such a powerful and transformative force in education.
I am especially excited to once again invite you to the IALAS IMPACTO 2024 Educational Conclave, scheduled for January 19, 2024, at Le Meridien Hotel-Oakbrook Center. This conclave is not just an event; it’s a gathering of minds and hearts, all aligned towards a common goal – enhancing the educational experiences of Latino students in our state and beyond. We will delve into critical discussions, share insights, and collaborate on strategies to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing our students.
This conclave is more than just a meeting of minds; it's a celebration of our shared commitment to education and equity. It’s a platform for us to come together, learn from each other, and leave empowered to make a tangible impact in our respective communities.
Don’t forget to Nominate a Spotlight Leader or Teacher. Spotlight Leaders is designed to recognize the phenomenal work of our diverse membership and to provide space for our membership to get to know each other. This is step one in creating networking opportunities for IALAS members. To nominate an administrator and/or a teacher for recognition at our January Conclave, please click here and place your nomination by Friday, January 5th at 7:00 p.m. The winners will be announced at our Conclave.
As we start this new year, let’s remind ourselves of the power we hold as educators and leaders. We have the ability to ignite change, inspire growth, and build a future that reflects our highest aspirations for our students. Together, let’s make 2024 a year of remarkable achievements and demonstration of our commitment to educational excellence and equity.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Conclave and embarking on this exciting new year together!
Warm regards,
María Burgos
President, Illinois Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (IALAS)
Scholarship Applicants
IALAS is offering $1,000 scholarships to three IALAS members in Latino/a serving districts. We have extended the deadline to 3/31/24.
If you are interested in applying, please complete the Google Form HERE. You can email Nicholas Guerrero at Nguerrero@ialas.org with any questions.
Introductory essay.
Brief biography.
Profile picture.
Professor letter of recommendation #1.
Professional reference letter of recommendation.
IALAS member letter of recommendation.
Mentorship Updates
Thank you to those who have signed up to be a mentor or mentee. At present, we are in the process of pairing our five mentors with three mentees. Aforementioned, our goal is to provide support, guidance, and mentorship to rising administrators and district leaders. However, both parties will determine what the relationship will look like, sound like, and feel like.
If you are still interested in participating, please complete the forms and we will do our best to connect y’all throughout the school year.
Partnerships by Treasurer Kris Rivera
One way we support our events is through sponsorships. Make sure to visit our vendors at each of our events. For our upcoming Conclave, we're excited to have the following sponsors WEPA Libros, Grand Canyon University, Imagine Learning, and Blue Point Alert Solutions
Your input in casual conversations is valuable as it helps tailor products to meet our requirements. When you visit our sponsors, engage in authentic conversations about their products and how they can benefit your students. Feel free to discuss any specific needs that aren't currently met. Your feedback matters! We're eager to see you all at the upcoming Conclave!
Membership Announcement and Career Opportunities by Members at Large Darlene Vargas
It’s a great time to become a member with the Illinois Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents. By joining IALAS, you will have access to a wide range of resources, including professional development opportunities, networking events, and mentorship programs. You can also join committees and working groups, which will help you stay up to date on the latest issues impacting Latino school administrators and superintendents.
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
Office of English Language Acquisition seeks public comment
Language Magazine
The Department of Education is proposing new priorities, requirements, and definitions in the National Professional Development program that would grow our numbers of bilingual and multilingual educators to expand availability of bilingual programs for all students and help ensure that English Learners have access to well-prepared educators, and emphasize and elevate supports for students from low-income backgrounds. Read More
Cardona calls for better teacher pay, more multilingualism inspeech
The 74
Calling for increases to teacher salaries and greater strides toward multilingualism, but with scant mention of the task of post-COVID learning recovery, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona outlined his department's priorities for 2023 in a speech Jan. 24. Read More
Time for Change
Four Essential Skills for Transformational School and District Leaders
By: Anthony Muhammad, Luis F. Cruz
Educational leadership development for change management
Transformational leaders have four distinctive skills: strong communication, the ability to build trust, the ability to increase the skills of those they lead, and a results orientation. Time for Change offers powerful guidance for those seeking to develop and strengthen the educational leadership skills needed for change management and overcoming resistance to change. Throughout this authoritative guide, Anthony Muhammad and Luis F. Cruz share concrete tools and strategies that will prepare you to lead your school toward lasting, meaningful, and strategic change.
Use this educational leadership book to inspire a shared vision and help in overcoming resistance to change:
Develop an understanding of educational leadership and change management as skills that can be practiced and improved.
Consider three questions of transformational leadership—Why? Who? How?—and then Do!
Learn about the technical and cultural dimensions of change and the ways in which both must be addressed.
Understand the reasons behind resistance to change and how to manage it through effective leadership.
Synthesize your skills as a school leader and utilize them to effect strategic change.
ALAS Education Summit 2024
First Announcement for the ALAS 21st National Education Summit to take place in Portland, Oregon October 9-11, 2024! Take advantage of the Early Bird Registration for members only, and answer our Call For Presenters Educators and Non-Profits. We also offer CFP For Profits organizations.
Call for Presenters Educators/non profits
Call for presenters For Profits
Early Bird Members Only
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
