LEAD Public Schools

• What inspired you to become a family and community engagement coordinator at LEAD Public Schools, and how does our unique approach to education influence your work?

I stepped into this role because I believe strong family-school partnerships start with meaningful connection. My background in school leadership showed me how impactful it is when families feel seen, supported, and confident choosing the right school for their child. At LEAD, our mission to prepare every student for college and life inspires how I approach recruitment and enrollment, ensuring every family understands not only what we offer but how we’ll walk alongside them from the point of first contact.

• How do you ensure that families from diverse backgrounds, including those of our English language learners and students with special needs, feel welcomed and valued in our school community?

I focus on creating accessible, personal touchpoints for every family. That means offering information and tours in families’ preferred languages, keeping communication clear and friendly, and partnering closely with our support teams so all families get the resources they need. Whether it’s a personal call, a translated flyer, or a simple “welcome” at the door, I want every family to feel that LEAD is a place for them.

• What advice would you give to parents of LEAD students who want to be more involved in their child’s education but don’t know where to start?

Start by staying connected. Check DeansList regularly for updates and messages, and reach out to your student's teachers early — don’t wait for a concern. Attend at least one event to meet other families and learn how you can support your students' success. And if you’re unsure where to begin, reach out to me — I’ll help you find the right next step for your schedule and comfort level!

• What’s the most rewarding or your favorite part of your job?

Since I’m just a month into this role, I haven’t seen the full journey yet , but what I’m most looking forward to is seeing students and families truly feel that LEAD is their home. I want every student to know this is their safe place where they are supported, challenged, and held to high expectations, but never alone. Watching that sense of belonging grow is what I believe will be the most rewarding part of this work.

• When you’re not at work helping our LEADers, what are your favorite things to do?

I love spending time with my family, practicing self-care, and staying active in my church community. Those moments keep me grounded and remind me why this work matters so much.

• What inspired you to become a family and community engagement coordinator at LEAD Public Schools, and how does our unique approach to education influence your work?

I became a coordinator because I wanted to bridge the gap between schools and families. I believe every parent deserves to feel connected to their child’s education. As a child, my parents didn’t speak English, and it was hard for them to engage with my teachers. I became a family engagement coordinator to make sure no family feels left out. In addition to that I love seeing how partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, and families can create a network of support for students. We recognize that the students who walk through our doors are not only here to learn today, but to be prepared for success in high school and beyond. Every student matters, and we are committed to supporting each one along their journey.

• How do you ensure that families from diverse backgrounds, including those of our English language learners and students with special needs, feel welcomed and valued in our school community?

I believe that building a truly inclusive school community starts with intentional relationships and consistent communication. To ensure that families from diverse backgrounds, including those of our English language learners and students with special needs, feel welcomed and valued, I focus on creating multiple ways for engagement that honor their cultures, languages, and perspectives. We work to provide translated materials and interpretation at all events and meetings, ensuring that every family can fully participate and understand what’s happening at school. We create a space during our Family Connect Meetings where families can share their experiences and ideas in a comfortable environment. For families of students with special needs we make sure they have access to resources, understand their child’s individualized supports, and feel empowered as advocates. Most importantly, I approach every interaction with empathy, respect, and the belief that every family, no matter their background, brings unique strengths to our school community.

• What advice would you give to parents of LEAD students who want to be more involved in their child's education but don't know where to start?

My advice to parents who want to be more involved but aren’t sure where to start is to begin with small, meaningful steps. You don’t have to do everything at once, even small actions can have a big impact. Please remember that your voice matters. Join parent meetings, volunteer when you can, and share your ideas. Our school community is stronger when families and staff work together, and we want every parent to feel welcomed, supported, and valued.

• What's the most rewarding/your favorite part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job as a family and community engagement coordinator is seeing the positive impact that strong relationships between families, students, and the school can make. I also find it deeply fulfilling to help remove barriers whether it’s through communication, resources, or simply listening so every family feels welcomed and valued. Watching families become more engaged, empowered, and proud to be part of our school community is what makes this work so meaningful to me.

• When you’re not at work helping our LEADers, what are your favorite things to do?

When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time at home, taking walks in the park, and connecting with friends. I believe it’s important to take time to recharge so that I can show up each week as my best self ready to give my full energy and support to our students and families.

• What inspired you to become a family and community engagement coordinator at LEAD Public Schools, and how does our unique approach to education influence your work? 

I was inspired to join LEAD because of its deep belief that families should have the power of choice, that parents deserve the option to select a school that aligns with their child’s potential, not just their zip code. Coming from years of experience in community outreach and nonprofit leadership, I saw LEAD’s mission as a natural extension of my own passion: empowering families through access, voice, and opportunity.

• How do you ensure that families from diverse backgrounds, including those of our English language learners and students with special needs, feel welcomed and valued in our school community? 

As an immigrant and multilingual professional, I understand firsthand how intimidating it can feel to be different, speak with an accent, or not belong to the majority culture. Because of this, I’m intentional in how I engage with parents and students from diverse backgrounds. In all our marketing materials, we ensure the images and stories reflect the diversity of our student body. When hosting tours or events, we also provide interpretation services as needed to make every family feel included. Beyond the school walls, I make it a priority to be present in the community and actively listen to the needs and experiences of our families.

• What advice would you give to parents of LEAD students who want to be more involved in their child's education but don't know where to start? 

I tell them to start small, attend an event, or call their student’s teacher to check on their progress. I encourage parents to attend our events such as Family Connect or choose to volunteer as a parent leader. 

• What's the most rewarding/your favorite part of your job? 

Everyone is naturally a little afraid of change, and our parents and students are no exception. When families first join our school, it’s common for them to feel nervous about the new environment. However, it’s always heartwarming to see their smiles and how quickly they feel at home after just a few days.

• When you’re not at work helping our LEADers, what are your favorite things to do? 

When I’m not at work, I enjoy staying active by coaching youth in track and cross-country. I also love working on projects that blend entrepreneurship and education, and I support local organizations that promote these opportunities. Outside of that, I value spending quality time with my friends and family.

• What inspired you to become a family and community engagement coordinator at LEAD Public Schools, and how does our unique approach to education influence your work?

I have always known that I wanted to work with families in education. I loved my own K-12 experience and I was drawn to LEAD because the family and student experience reminded me of my own schools growing up. The tight knit community and focus on each student as an individual makes LEAD schools unique to others in Nashville and I love knowing that I get to play a part in creating memories and fostering a love of school for our students. 

• How do you ensure that families from diverse backgrounds, including those of our English language learners and students with special needs, feel welcomed and valued in our school community?

A welcoming and inclusive school environment is an important factor for families when making a school choice. I make sure to create opportunities for families to meet different staff members and families that they can connect with. It's also so important that our families have access to information and meetings in their preferred language, so whether it's translating with a staff member or calling out, I always make sure they can understand and participate. Creating an inclusive environment is something that everyone at our school contributes to and I am always grateful for our staff and families when they take the extra time to connect with each family that walks through our doors.

• What advice would you give to parents of LEAD students who want to be more involved in their child's education but don't know where to start?

Just reach out! Whether it's volunteering, attending events and conferences, or just coming by to eat lunch with your student, there is always a way to get involved at our schools. As the FACE, I'm here to help find ways for you to connect with our school and would love to help create opportunities for you to be involved in your students' education.

• What's the most rewarding/your favorite part of your job?

Getting to know our students and watching them grow at our school is definitely the best part. There's not many jobs where you are greeted with so many smiles and so much excitement each morning. That's what the students bring every day and it is so rewarding to be a part of their growth and to see all their personalities shine.

• When you’re not at work helping our LEADers, what are your favorite things to do?

When I'm not working at LEAD, I love to spend time with friends and explore Nashville. I love to be outdoors so I'm always visiting local parks or trails; or on days when it's better to be inside, I pick a good show or book and stay in with my dog!

• What inspired you to become a Family and Community Engagement Coordinator at LEAD Public Schools, and how does our unique approach to education influence your work?

I recently graduated from Belmont University in the heart of Nashville where I studied neuroscience and psychology. My second year in college was when I understood how poorly the public education system prepared me for college. I was not aware of the importance of how cognitive science heavily influences education until I truly understood how the brain works. As the family and community engagement coordinator, I have a chance to impact students and families through my unique cognitive perspective inside and outside school walls. 

• What's the most rewarding/your favorite part of your job?

The most rewarding part of being a FACE is the joy it brings to the very same community that raised me. As a Mexican-American born and raised in Nashville, I attended schools all over the greater Nashville area. I experienced every culture of Nashville from the diverse Antioch community to the new quirky upbeat East Nashville and the lovely 12th South. My tenacious curiosity brings me closer to every person I greet at LSEM's front doors. There is no feeling to explain seeing a family smile when you mention a unique cultural connection; or the joy when they hear their natural language.

• What advice would you give to parents of LEAD students who want to be more involved in their child's education but don't know where to start?

I would tell LEAD parents wanting to be involved in their child's education to call the school. We have an excellent front-office receptionist who knows how to make the appropriate connections. Most of the time those calls are then forwarded to me where I get the chance to make a personal phone call (this way we ensure the office phone is available for the next family).

• When you’re not at work helping our LEADers, what are your favorite things to do?

When not helping LEADers, I help capture the story of my church community as a youth leader and videographer/photographer. I also enjoy researching practical applications of neuroscience, where I can share my findings with the public through an educational podcast. Apart from all the fun tech hobbies, I enjoy spending time outdoors and playing soccer with my family.

• What inspired you to become a family and community engagement coordinator at LEAD Public Schools, and how does our unique approach to education influence your work?

I was inspired to become a family and community engagement coordinator at LEAD Public Schools because of the mission driving the organization. Helping students grow and prepare for life after school is a worthy endeavor, and coupling that with the notion that "You Matter Here" confirmed for me that my values and vision were aligned with LEAD. Additionally, I love being in a role where connecting with families, students, and community partners are at the center of my work and this role at this organization was an incredible intersection of what I was looking for.

• How do you ensure that families from diverse backgrounds, including those of our English language learners and students with special needs, feel welcomed and valued in our school community?

We want to ensure that every individual and family feels that they matter at LEAD, and this happens in a variety of ways. We have dedicated staff in the classrooms and on the leadership teams whose roles are designed to identify and address the needs of our English language learners and individuals with special needs. From the first moment a student in these demographics sets foot on campus, we have processes in place to help assess the specific context of every student and provide individualized planning for how to best incorporate each student into the life of the school as a whole in a way that best structures them for success now and in the future. We also have staff who speak a variety of languages that are ready to assist and connect with families. At the end of the day, we aim to posture ourselves in such a way that everyone who crosses paths with us knows that they matter and that they can find belonging and empowerment in our LEAD community.

• What advice would you give to parents of LEAD students who want to be more involved in their child's education but don't know where to start?

I would tell parents who want to get more involved to reach out to me! I would love to find ways to create meaningful engagement for parents, whether that is helping us with events at the school or in the community, identifying who to go to for questions about their student's academic and social progress, or any other need they may have. We are here to help families get the most out of their LEAD experience.

• What's the most rewarding/your favorite part of your job?

The most rewarding part of the job is seeing the impact on families as they navigate different processes at the school with the knowledge that they have an advocate in me. I am able to help families turn their hopes for their children's education into realities. My favorite part is connecting with all of the people involved – current and prospective students and families, teachers and staff, community partners, members of the communities we represent and have the privilege of engaging.

• When you’re not at work helping our LEADers, what are your favorite things to do?

When I'm not at work helping our LEADers, you'll likely find me watching or playing soccer, drinking a good cup of coffee, listening to music or watching a movie, and enjoying time with my family and friends.