CLSBA Unity 2026: Full Schedule

9:00am PDT

Undacamented Teachers: From Credential to Classroom

Friday August 28, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT

The California Faculty Association is the nation's largest faculty union. This workshop addresses legislative challenges facing undocumented students at California State University (CSU). Utilizing a racial-justice lens, the session examines the issues facing undocumented students who complete a teaching credential but who, upon graduation, can not teach in K-12 districts. The workshop analyzes current educational barriers that prevent undocumented graduates from teaching in K-12 districts. Participants will engage in structured discussions regarding the complexities of policy reform. The session will also outline advocacy strategies implemented in the legal profession. This interactive workshop explores possible approaches for advocacy and mobilization. By the conclusion of the session, participants will be equipped to identify current legislative challenges impacting undocumented CSU students and to evaluate advocacy strategies consistent with CFA legislative priorities.

Speakers

Dr. Theresa Montano

Trustee, Los Angeles COE

Friday August 28, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Willow Glen 3

Breakout Workshop

10:00am PDT

Cultivating Excellence: How Board Governance Catalyzed Student Achievement

Friday August 28, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Willow Glen 3

This proposal highlights the successful partnership between the Newhall School District (NSD) Governing Board and Newhall Elementary School to drive significant academic growth. By shifting from a compliance-based model to one of "Collective Inquiry" and strategic resource allocation, the district has seen a positive trajectory in CAASPP scores and foundational literacy. The session will explore how the Board uses data-driven systems to support site-level instruction while maintaining high-level fiscal and policy oversight. The Newhall Elementary School District success story demonstrates that when a Governing Board is a "true partner" in the work—participating in audits, professional development, and rigorous data analysis—the result is a strong community of success for both staff and students. This session provides a step-by-step roadmap for other school board members to implement similar governance strategies in their home districts.

Speakers

Suzan Solomon

Governing Board President, Newhall School District

Suzan Solomon has lived in the Newhall School District Community since 1986. She moved to the area with her husband Eskel because of the small town feeling of Santa Clarita, and its highly acclaimed school districts. Not only have they found Santa Clarita a wonderful place to raise... Read More →

Leticia Hernandez

Superintendent, Newhall School District

Friday August 28, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Willow Glen 3

Breakout Workshop

11:00am PDT

Community Schools You Can Measure - Turning Student Voice Into Pillar-Level Evidence

Friday August 28, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Willow Glen 3

Speakers

Dr. Francisco Escobedo

CA State Board Member

Dr. Leticia Bhatia

Superintendent, John Sweet USD

Dr. Joshua Arnold

Co-CEO, Impacter Pathway

Russell Coronado

Former Board Member of Chula Vista ESD & Executive Director, SDCOE South County SELPA

Friday August 28, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Willow Glen 3

Breakout Workshop

1:45pm PDT

California Administrators’ Equity Alliance: Affinity Panel

Friday August 28, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm PDT

Willow Glen 3

Join us for a powerful panel conversation where affinity groups come together to elevate shared priorities in education. In partnership with the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), the California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA), the California Association of Asian Pacific Leaders in Education (CAAPLE), and the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA), we will highlight how collective advocacy, professional learning, and a commitment to student achievement are shaping meaningful outcomes across California. This session offers an opportunity to engage with leaders who are driving change for students, families, and educators statewide and to explore how collaboration across communities strengthens our collective voice.

Moderator
Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)
Mr. Anthony Robinson
Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Innovative Learning
[email protected]

Panelists
Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)
Dr. Edgar Zazueta
Executive Director
[email protected]

Dr. Rene Rickard
President
[email protected]

California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA)
Dr. Antoine Hawkins
President
[email protected]

California Association of Asian Pacific Leaders in Education (CAAPLE)
Dr. Tracie Noriega
Senior Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, & Professional Learning, (ACSA)
[email protected]

California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA)
Dr. Juan Manuel Santos
President
[email protected]

Jessica Ochoa
Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]

Speakers

Mr. Anthony Robinson

Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Innovative Learning, ACSA

Dr. Edgar Zazueta

Executive Director, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)

Edgar Zazueta served as the ACSA Senior Director of Policy and Governmental Relations beginning in 2015, and was appointed as Executive Director in 2022.

Prior to joining ACSA, Zazueta served as the Chief of External Affairs for Los Angeles Unified School District. In this capacity, he represented the superintendent and board of education before community organizations and led legislative advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels... Read More →

Dr. Antoine Hawkins

President, California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA)

Dr. Tracie Noriega

Senior Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, & Professional Learning, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)

Jessica Ochoa

Chief Executive Officer, California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA)

Dr. Rene Rickard

President, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)

Dr. Juan Manuel Santos

President, California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA)

Friday August 28, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm PDT
Willow Glen 3

Breakout Workshop

9:00am PDT

Collaborative Edge: Connecting Boards, Celebrating Success, and Uplifting Communities Presented by the Santa Clara County School Boards Association (SCCSBA)

Saturday August 29, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT

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Collaborative Edge: Connecting Boards, Celebrating Success, and Uplifting Communities
Presented by the Santa Clara County School Boards Association (SCCSBA)

The Santa Clara County School Boards Association (SCCSBA) is one of the most active and engaged county associations in California, dedicated to improving the lives and educational outcomes of children through meaningful civic participation, advocacy, leadership development, and collaborative action.

This session will highlight how SCCSBA has built a strong culture and practice of engagement among trustees and educational leaders by creating consistent opportunities for learning, advocacy, student voice, and regional collaboration. Participants will explore practical strategies that can be replicated in other counties and organizations to strengthen governance, increase civic engagement, and improve outcomes for students and families.

SCCSBA initiatives include:

Virtual and in-person seminars and professional development opportunities available (at low to no cost) to trustees across the county, focused on timely educational issues, leadership, governance, equity, and student success. Peer-to-peer learning between trustees across school districts is key to improved school board member effectiveness

Fall Dinner: An annual in-person convening that brings together trustees, students, educational leaders, and community partners to discuss diverse and relevant topics impacting public education

Hoffmann Awards: A countywide awards celebration recognizing innovation, leadership, and measurable improvements in student achievement and student outcomes
Monthly virtual evening meetings dedicated to studying, addressing, and raising awareness about the challenges faced by unhoused students, while promoting collaborative regional solutions and advocacy efforts

Lunch and Learns
A highly engaged Legislative Action Committee that convenes monthly organizational and working meetings, maintains regular engagement with legislators, develops advocacy strategies, and advances coordinated action on key public education issues and legislation
Legislative Brunch: An annual legislative forum in which local legislators answer county trustees questions about their perspectives, educational policies and legislative initiatives
A collaborative specifically focused on understanding and meeting the needs of McKinney Vento (housing insecure) students through efforts involving multiple levels of government and non-profit organizations

This workshop will demonstrate how intentional civic engagement and organized regional collaboration can strengthen public education systems, empower trustees and educational leaders, and create meaningful impact for students and communities.

Attendees will leave with:
Practical models for trustee engagement and regional collaboration
Strategies to strengthen advocacy and legislative engagement
Examples of scalable structures that support measurable student-centered outcomes

Speakers:
SCCSBA Chris Norwood
SCCSBA Exec Director Bonnie Mace
SCCSBA LAC Chair Isabel Jubes-Flamerich
SCCSBA Director at Large John Horner

Speakers

Bridget Watson

Trustee, Sunnyvale School District

Isabel Jubes-Flamerich

President, California Association of Latino Leaders in Education (CALLE)

Isabel Jubes-Flamerich is an education leader, elected school board trustee, architect, designer, and longtime advocate for educational equity, sustainability, and student success. Originally from Venezuela, Isabel brings her experience as an immigrant, parent, educator, and community... Read More →

John Horner

Board President, Morgan Hill USD

Bonnie Mace

Executive Director, Santa Clara County School Boards Association

Saturday August 29, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Willow Glen 3

Breakout Workshop

1:45pm PDT

Walking in Their Shoes: A Student-Centered Approach to Engagement Through Multilingual Learner Shadowing

Saturday August 29, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm PDT

Willow Glen 3

Student engagement is a key driver of academic success, yet schools often lack opportunities to understand how students experience learning throughout the day. This session introduces the nationally recognized, evidence-based Multilingual Learner Shadowing Protocol, a powerful process that helps educators and leaders view school through the eyes of students.

Participants will learn how shadowing can uncover opportunities and barriers related to engagement, language development, participation, relationships, and belonging. By collecting real-time evidence from a student's perspective, school teams can identify actionable strategies to strengthen student voice, improve learning experiences, and create more responsive and inclusive school environments.

Aligned with the California English Learner Roadmap, this session demonstrates how student shadowing serves as a catalyst for reflection, continuous improvement, and meaningful engagement for multilingual learners and all students.

Speakers

Rubi Flores

Director of Learning, Engagement, Advocacy, and Development, California Association for Bilingual Education

Saturday August 29, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm PDT
Willow Glen 3

Breakout Workshop

9:00am PDT

10:00am PDT

11:00am PDT

1:45pm PDT

9:00am PDT

1:45pm PDT

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