Meet the FACEs: Blanca Cross at LEAD Neely’s Bend

Meet Blanca Cross, the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) coordinator at our Neely’s Bend campus in Madison. Blanca was appointed to the position earlier this school year.

“I’m lucky to be a part of an organization that values strong academics but also understands that it’s only half the battle,” Cross said. “Meeting students where they are individually and being all in, all the time, is paramount.” 

Alongside colleagues Rania Agaib (LEAD Academy, LEAD Cameron), John Strickland (LEAD Brick Church) and Erin Molitoris (LEAD Southeast), Blanca’s chief responsibility is to “represent the interests and desires, both realized and undeveloped, of our families,” said Corey Burton, LEAD’s Director of Enrollment and Family Engagement.

“Our job is to provide the avenues for authentic relationships to develop and for families to see better opportunities for themselves in our schools,” he said.

On Blanca, he said: “Blanca embodies what it means to ‘Be.’ Her energy and aura are ones that encourage others to be awesome, be worthy, be thoughtful, be humble…and most importantly, be unapologetically you! We want families and everyone that interacts with LEAD Public Schools to feel the following: ‘We see you, we hear you, we understand you, and we want to take this journey (life) with you.’ I am 100% confident that Blanca will lead this charge at Neely’s Bend.” 

Here’s Blanca in her own words.

What does it mean for you to be a FACE coordinator in our schools? 

As the FACE, I have the opportunity to represent families that mirror the community I grew up in alongside our team. We strive to provide access to support and partners for the betterment and enrichment of our community.

What’s your educational background? 

Associates of Arts from LoneStar Montgomery

What is your favorite part about your job in family and community engagement? 

Building long term relationships. I loved school growing up and I was lucky to have a plethora of mentors who guided me throughout my school years and helped lay the foundation to becoming a compassionate and well-rounded adult.

Why do you work at LEAD? 

To give back, the way so many gave to me.

What does it mean to you to help “families take the LEAD”?

Listening to parents with clarity and understanding and giving them the opportunity to successfully advocate for their students and providing them the tools to continue pursuing greater education well beyond their time with LEAD.

Name an Ethos that means something to you and please briefly describe why. 

Serving others. I believe wholeheartedly that our stories bring us together and that together we can overcome anything. We serve a distinct population but through structured academics and social-emotional learning, our potential is limitless. If the one thing I bring to the table allows you to feel comfortable being yourself to enable growth, I’m happy.

What are seven words that best describe you? 

Kind, Funny, Dedicated, Loyal, Compassionate, Honest, and Freckled!

What are five words that best describe our network? 

Empathy, Urgency, Determined, Strong, and Courageous.