Two Alma Exley Scholars played prominent roles in the inaugural conference of the New England chapter of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) in Springfield, Mass.

Dr. Miguel Cardona and Dr. Violet Jiménez Sims
The keynote speaker, former U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Ed.D., whom we honored in 1998, reminded his audience “just how urgently our leadership is needed in this historical moment.” He urged Latino administrators to lead with purpose. He emphasized that everyone in a school district—from the superintendent to paraeducators—should share common values and work toward common goals.
Violet Jiménez Sims, Ed.D. (2008), managing director of academic programming and legislative affairs for the Connecticut Teacher Residency Program (TRP), conducted a workshop on the topic “Quieting the Noise: Courageous Leadership and Advocacy for Diverse and Multilingual Learners.”
Under her leadership, TRP is building a more diverse educator workforce by enabling university graduates to obtain their state teacher certification. Some 90 percent of the future teachers in the program are people of color.
The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents is dedicated to providing leadership development for school and district leaders who serve Latino youth and other historically marginalized students.

Dr. Sims explains data on English-language learners
Space to Reflect and Recommit
Said Dr. Sims, “Huge congratulations to NE ALAS for launching their chapter and creating space for us to reflect and recommit. In times like these, we need spaces that feed our souls and reinforce the principle of lifting as we climb.
“Let’s remember: Our collective power grows when we move with abundance, not scarcity. When we resist the temptation to gatekeep or use the proverbial ‘master’s tools’ to recreate the very systems we aim to dismantle. Representation matters, but impact matters more. And we make the greatest impact when we lead with inclusion, generosity, and purpose.”
Congratulations to Dr. Cardona and Dr. Sims for helping to launch this new organization of Latino educational leaders by sharing the experience and expertise they have gained in their remarkable careers.