Educators, Students Recognized for Achievements in Multiliteracy

The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) recently held its 25th annual Leadership in Biliteracy Symposium to recognize school community leaders, teachers, parents, and honorees for their work to support multilingualism.

Twenty-one San Diego County students received scholarships from the Bea Gonzales Biliteracy fund or the California Association of Bilingual Educators (CABE) Chapter 65. The Bea Gonzales Biliteracy Scholarship, named in honor of a multilingual advocate and former SDCOE employee, is open to students countywide who obtain the Seal of Biliteracy from their school and district. The CABE 65 Scholarship is for high school students from National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, and San Ysidro. 

“Being bilingual has allowed me to support my family in important moments, translating in situations where understanding truly matters,” he said. “It showed me how powerful communication is, especially for those who may not always have access to it. These experiences have shaped my goal of becoming a lawyer, where I can advocate for others and help people navigate systems that can feel overwhelming.”

At the event, San Diego County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gloria E. Ciriza congratulated the students and honorees, and affirmed the County Office’s deep and lasting commitment to multilingual students.

"For over three decades, SDCOE has proudly stood alongside you as a leader in multilingual education,” said Ciriza. “We are committed to ensuring that every student — whether learning English, developing biliteracy, or exploring world languages — has access to culturally responsive, high-quality programs that honor their strengths and help them thrive. We remain unwavering in our commitment to every student — regardless of background, immigration status, or circumstance. Our immigrant, refugee, newcomer, and migratory students are looking to us to create spaces of safety, dignity, and affirmation. And together, that is exactly what we do.”

Nearly 60 school community members and school programs were recognized for their work, including SDCOE's Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS) teachers Elsa García and Michaela Topitzes. They were honored for their deep and sustained impact on language learning and their support for colleagues through collaborative learning and teaching. Additionally, JCCS was recognized for establishing a biliteracy pathway recognition for students.

In recognition of her contributions as a researcher, writer, and provider of leadership development and technical assistance for students who are English learners, Dr. Laurie Olsen received the Bea Gonzalez Leadership in Biliteracy Community Honoree Award. This esteemed award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the education of students who are multilingual learners in the region.

2026 Leadership in Biliteracy Symposium Honorees

Albert Einstein Academies    

Jason Filizetti, English Language Development Teacher, Albert Einstein Charter Middle School

Ana Regalado Pérez, English Learner Advisory Committee Member

Alpine Union School District

Irma Rincón, Teacher, Creekside Early Learning Center

Veronica Sauceda, English Learner Specialist, Joan MacQueen Middle School

Bostonia Global

Yolanda De La Torre, Teacher

Justine Mancuso, Teacher

Cajon Valley Union School District     

Cynthia Carbajal, Teacher, Lexington Elementary

Ana Hernández, Teacher, Johnson Elementary

Carlsbad Unified School District

Nicki Rudden, Multi-Tiered System of Supports Teacher, Jefferson Elementary

Chula Vista Elementary School District

Olga Lozada, English Learner Instructional Assistant, Hedenkamp Elementary and Valle Lindo Elementary

Blanca Torres, Dual Language Immersion Teacher, Muraoka Elementary

Coronado Unified School District

Alexandra Heath, French Teacher, Coronado High

Del Mar Union School District

Ulises Cisneros, Spanish Language Immersion Teacher, Del Mar Hills Academy

Excellence and Justice in Education Academies

Melissa Torres, Teacher

María Velarde, Counselor

Empower Language Academy

Brenda Arenas, Operations Coordinator

Isis Hernández, Lead Instructional Assistant

Encinitas Union School District

Leslie Talcove, Dual Language Immersion Teacher, Paul Ecke Central Elementary

Meghan Ling, Dual Language Immersion Teacher, Capri Elementary

Escondido Union School District

Rocío Hernández, Dual Language Program Teacher, Pioneer Elementary

Aidee Rojas, Dual Language Program Teacher, Glen View Elementary

Fallbrook Union Elementary School District

Marisela González, Language Arts Teacher, James E. Potter Intermediate

Jordan Phillip, Dual Language Science Teacher, James E. Potter Intermediate

Fallbrook Union High School District

Arlene Gómez, Dual Immersion Science Teacher, Fallbrook High

Marin Pinnell, AP/IB Coordinator, Science Teacher, and Science Department Chair, Fallbrook High

Grossmont Union High School District

Stephanie Macceca, English Language Development Teacher and English Learning Coordinator, Valhalla High

Connor Madden, School Counselor, Santana High

Guajome Schools

Carol Blackburn, Coordinator, Guajome Park Academy English Language Development, Homeless, Foster Youth, Migrant Education

High Tech High Charter School

María Elena Valenzuela, Director of Emergent Multilingual Learning Education

High Tech High Media Arts Charter School

Judit Rangel, 90/10 Spanish Teacher

Howard Gardner Community Charter School

Fernanda León, English Language Development Interventionist

Lakeside Union School District

Erika García, School Counselor, Lindo Park Elementary

Frances Mendoza, Teacher, Winter Gardens Elementary

Lemon Grove School District

María Hidalgo, Family and Community Engagement Liaison, San Miguel Elementary

Julie Loschen, Bilingual Instructional Assistant, San Altos Elementary

Leonardo da Vinci Health Sciences Charter School

Verónica Vázquez, Spanish Teacher

Mueller Bayfront Charter Schools

Alexandria Freeman, Dean of Student Achievement

National School District

Marisa Sánchez, Teacher, Olivewood

Kassandra Chávez, School Counselor, Lincoln Acres

Oceanside Unified School District

Ernesto Polanco, School Community Advisor, Oceanside High

Poway Unified School District

Christina Glady, Site English Learning Coordinator, Chaparral Elementary

Erika López, English Learner Instructional Assistant, Chaparral Elementary

Ramona Unified School District

Efren Pantaleon, Assistant Principal, Olive Peirce Middle

SDCOE Juvenile Court and Community Schools

Elsa García, Teacher

Michaela Topitzes, Teacher, Monarch

San Diego Unified School District

Patricia Baltazar, Teacher, Juarez Elementary

Martha Osuna-Jacinto, Instructional Coordinator, Multilingual Education Department

San Dieguito Union High School District

Miriam Kramer, Coordinator of Multilingual Learners

Shannon Merideth, Multilingual Learner Lead and English Learning Development Teacher, Carmel Valley Middle

San Marcos Unified School District

Juliana Bustos, Teacher on Special Assignment, Mission Hills High School and District Office

San Ysidro School District

Rebeca Aguayo, 6th Grade Dual Language Teacher, Vista Del Mar

South Bay Union School District

Susana Edwards, Teacher, Sunnyslope Elementary

Ana Peralta, Preschool Teacher, VIP Village Preschool

Sweetwater Union High School District

María Esther Lizárraga, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Adolfo Villareal, District English Learner Advisory Committee President

Vallecitos School District

Nancy Hernández, Paraeducator, Vallecitos Elementary

Vista Unified School District

Angélica de Jesús López, Bilingual Instructional Assistant, Vista High

Gisela Hamblin, Dual Language Immersion Teacher, Grapevine Elementary