As the first scholarly book of its kind, this edited volume brings together educational leadership scholars and practitioners from across the country whose research focuses on the unique contributions and struggles that Latinas across the diaspora face while leading in schools and districts. The limited though growing scholarship on Latina administrators indicates their assets, particularly those rooted in their sociocultural, linguistic, and racial/ethnic backgrounds, their cultura, are undervalued in research and practice (Hernandez & Murakami, 2016; Martinez, Rivera, & Marquez, 2019; Mendez-Morse, 2000; Mendez-Morse, Murakami, Byrne-Jimenez, & Hernandez, 2015). At the same time, Latina administrators have reported challenges related to: isolation (Hernandez & Murakami, 2016), a lack of mentoring (Mendez-Morse, 2004), resistance from those who expect a more linear, hierarchical form of leadership (Gonzales, Ulloa, & Munoz, 2016), balancing varying professional and personal roles and aspirations (Murakami-Ramalho, 2008), as well as racism, sexism, and ageism (Bagula, 2016; Martinez, Marquez, Cantu, & Rocha, 2016).
The impetus for this book is to acknowledge, explore, theorize, and expand our understanding of how Latinas’ success as school and district leaders is informed by such gifts, including their prioritizing of familia and communidad, relationship building, reciprocity, and advocacy, in the face of such challenges. Thus, this volume covers four topical areas:
1) Testimonies and reflections from the field/Testimonios y reflexiones del campo,
2) Leading in relationship, comadrismo, with and for community/Liderazgo en relación, comadrismo, con y para la omunidad,
3) School community leaders(hip)/Lider(azgo) escolar y comunitario
4) Learning from the experiences of others/Aprendiendo de las experiencias de otras.
Latinas Leading Schools
(Hispanics in Education and Administration)
by
Melissa A. Martinez (Editor)
Sylvia Méndez-Morse (Editor)
PUBLICATIONS
Understanding the perspectives and experiences of Hispanic communities is essential for creating equitable and effective systems of student support and community development. Hispanic students face unique challenges in education and mental health that require culturally responsive approaches to ensure their success and well-being. Empowering these communities through inclusive strategies not only fosters individual achievement but also strengthens the social fabric by promoting diversity and collaboration. Addressing these needs enriches society as a whole, paving the way for a more inclusive and interconnected future.
Hispanic Perspectives on Student Support and Community Empowerment explores the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Hispanic students and communities, focusing on strategies for equitable student support and community empowerment. It highlights culturally responsive approaches in education and mental health, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and collaboration to foster success and wellbeing. Covering topics such as college navigation, heritage learners, and student support, this book is an excellent resource for educators, administrators, mental health professionals, researchers, scholars, policymakers, community leaders, academicians, and more.
change while cultivating trust across diverse communities.
Hispanic Perspectives on Student Support and Community Empowerment
by Angello Villarreal (Freehold Regional High School District, USA)
Indexed In: SCOPUS
Release Date: December, 2024
Copyright: © 2025
PRIETA
Fabiola Bagula
I grew up with an immediate awareness of the pigmentocracy long held by our community and its deeply embedded definition of beauty.
My grandmother’s favorite storytelling time would entail tales about her rich landowning father in Guadalajara. She would pore through pictures of tíos and tías we had never met, showcasing blonde hair and light eyes. She would constantly tell us that we weren’t Mexican, but Spanish. “Your great
grandfather came from Spain and married in Mexico.”
Her most treasured tale would be about her youngest son, el consentido— the favorite one. My uncle lived by her side all through adulthood and until his death. She would wax poetic about his long blonde locks, and how she wouldn’t dream of cutting his curls.
“His golden hair would hit his waist, and he was so beautiful he was often mistaken for a girl.”
I only knew him with dark hair and dark eyes. She would say that his skin and
hair color changed in adolescence.
After she passed, my mother and I were going through her things. We found her beloved portrait, wrapped in velvet and gingerly kept in a treasured box: it was my uncle at age two with long blonde hair. It was the closest confirmation of the truth of her story.
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Chicana/Latina Studies:
The Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social Volume 20
Publisher: MALCS (Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social)
Format: Biannual academic serial / peer-reviewed journal
Key Focus: Interdisciplinary research, cultural productions, and feminist/indigenous frameworks by and about Chicanas, Latinas, and Native women
PALABRITAS is a Latinx literary publication based out of Harvard College with the mission of creating a space for Latinx writers to showcase their work, regardless of prior publishing experience. Thus, our goal is to publish intriguing work by authors that have published before alongside others who've never shared their work publicly. We publish all kinds of creative writing: poetry, short fiction, memoir, personal essay, creative non-fiction, and pieces that don't quite fit a mold. We welcome Latinx authors of any age, background, and experience. In this expansive spring issue, we showcase the work of over 45 writers, all from a variety of backgrounds and identities.Thanks to the painstaking work of our contributors, this issue forces readers to expand their conceptions of Latinidad and Latinx literature.
PALABRITAS Vol 2. Issue 1 (2022)
by Ryan Morillo (Author)
Rosa Flores-Rueda (Author)
Daniela Bolanos (Author)
"Recipes to Combat the Isms" is an educational and equity-focused resource created by Rosemary Papa, Kelly Brown, and Sonia Rodriguez.
It is designed to help educators and practitioners build equity-conscious awareness and inclusive practices.
These books intend to light a fire in those that prepare educators and practitioners, that will foster a deep understanding and awareness of the complicated issues around race, diversity, inclusion, and human agency. We invite you to use our recipes to build an equity-conscious awareness that will support systems and methodologies leading to more just practices.
Recipes to Combat the Isms: Volume One & Two
By
Kelly Brown
Rosemary Papa
Represented in these pages are the intersectional accounts of four inspiring mujeres (women) who share their narratives on finding self-love, building community and embracing activism along the way. Everyone has a role to play in the movement, it is up to you to discover yours and link it with your gifts, talents, and passions to make this world a better place for marginalized and vulnerable populations. Together we can have a great impact and invite you into our movement. With the purchase of each book, we donate 100% of book profits to fundraise for college scholarships supporting Black, Asian, Latinx + POC who come from immigrant and refugee backgrounds in San Diego, CA.
Mujeres in Movement: Poems About Self-Love, Activism and Community
by Sinai Cota (Author)
Fabiola Bagula (Author)
Theresa Palafox (Author)
Leah Goodwin (Author)
