Executive Team:
Dr. Madeline Negrón, President
Madeline Negrón currently serves as the Chief of Academics, Teaching & Learning in the Hartford Public Schools. Her personal experience as an English language learner in the CT educational system has resulted in her passion for equity in schools. Dr. Negrón has over 20 years of public education experience, comprised of elementary and secondary instruction, as well as administrative site leadership, resulting in expertise in developing environments that set high expectations for ALL students. Prior to serving as a Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Negrón served as a Director of Instruction and Director of Early Childhood in the New Haven Public Schools. She also led one of New Haven’s largest magnet high schools, Hill Regional Career Magnet High School. During her leadership, the school was ranked among the top high schools in Connecticut. Career High School achieved district School Change Tier I status for its high student achievement, as defined by its graduation rate, college enrollment rate and college persistence rate.
Prior to Career High School, she was the principal of Windham Middle School. In this position, Dr. Negrón developed a high successful sheltered instruction team to meet the needs of English language learners and worked diligently to design and deliver Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) training for all middle school staff. She began her career as a bilingual teacher and has worked both as an assistant principal and principal at the middle school level and as a high school principal. She earned a BA in Spanish from Central Connecticut State University, a Master’s in Education and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Connecticut and recently completed the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Connecticut. In 2014, Dr. Negrón was awarded the LEAD CT Policy and Practice Fellow for proven results as an educational and selected as a distinguished group of fifteen school and district leaders in CT. In 2013, she was awarded the Educational Policy Fellowship Program fellow (EPFP) based on a record reflecting strong leadership abilities and a concern for improving the life chances of children and youth.
Prior to Career High School, she was the principal of Windham Middle School. In this position, Dr. Negrón developed a high successful sheltered instruction team to meet the needs of English language learners and worked diligently to design and deliver Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) training for all middle school staff. She began her career as a bilingual teacher and has worked both as an assistant principal and principal at the middle school level and as a high school principal. She earned a BA in Spanish from Central Connecticut State University, a Master’s in Education and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Connecticut and recently completed the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Connecticut. In 2014, Dr. Negrón was awarded the LEAD CT Policy and Practice Fellow for proven results as an educational and selected as a distinguished group of fifteen school and district leaders in CT. In 2013, she was awarded the Educational Policy Fellowship Program fellow (EPFP) based on a record reflecting strong leadership abilities and a concern for improving the life chances of children and youth.
Dr. Evelyn Robles-Rivas, President-Elect
Evelyn Robles-Rivas, Ph.D., is the principal at Worthington Hooker Higher Order Thinking School in New Haven, CT. She is very supportive of the arts integration theme at her school. Dr. Robles-Rivas plays an active role coaching her classroom teachers, helping them identify best practices to develop students’ writing and implementing integrated units based on an arts integration model. Through these methods, along with her leadership style, she helps keep her school a creative and productive place. Previously, Dr. Robles-Rivas was the Title VII Coordinator and Staff Developer in the Bilingual/ESOL Education Department at the Waterbury Public Schools. In this role, she coordinated curriculum and staff development projects for all bilingual, ESOL and Language Transition Support Services teachers and students. She was also an adjunct professor of methods and curriculum in the Connecticut's Alternative Route to Certification Program and a high school teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury, CT.
Dr. Robles-Rivas’ expertise, research activities and conference presentations include standard-based curriculum, sheltered instruction, and standards for effective pedagogy, supervision of teacher and arts integration into the curriculum. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Puerto Rico, a Master of Arts Degree in Education, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Robles-Rivas devoted herself to giving back to her community. She is a board member at the Spanish Community of Wallingford, SCOW, and a former board member of Junta for Progressive Action. In 2015, Dr. Robles-Rivas’ contributions to the Latino community were formally recognized by the Progreso Latino Fund (PLF) and showcased on their Celebrating Latino Leaders series.
Dr. Robles-Rivas’ expertise, research activities and conference presentations include standard-based curriculum, sheltered instruction, and standards for effective pedagogy, supervision of teacher and arts integration into the curriculum. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Puerto Rico, a Master of Arts Degree in Education, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Robles-Rivas devoted herself to giving back to her community. She is a board member at the Spanish Community of Wallingford, SCOW, and a former board member of Junta for Progressive Action. In 2015, Dr. Robles-Rivas’ contributions to the Latino community were formally recognized by the Progreso Latino Fund (PLF) and showcased on their Celebrating Latino Leaders series.
Dr. Miguel A. Cardona, Vice-President
Miguel A. Cardona is a lifelong resident of Meriden. He attended Meriden Public Schools and attended UCONN where he received his Masters, 6th Year Certificate through UCAPP, Doctorate in Education, and Executive Leadership Program (093) Certificate.
After serving as teacher, Miguel began his administrative career as a school principal in Meriden in 2003. He served in this role for ten years. In 2012, Miguel won the 2012 National Distinguished Principal Award for the State of CT and the Outstanding Administrator Award from the NEAG School of Education. He currently serves as Meriden Public School’s Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.
Dr. Cardona serves as the Co-Chairperson of the CT Legislative Achievement Gap Task Force. Here, with the entire Task Force, he works with various State agencies and community partners to address factors that lead to home, family, and school disparities with our most vulnerable populations. He also serves as Co-Chairperson of the CT Birth to Grade Three Leaders Council whose work it is to advocate for effective early childhood programming in an effort to help all children be prepared for success in school.
Miguel serves on the Professional Evaluation Advisory Council to the CT State Board of Education and State Department of Education. This group is tasked with recommending to the State Board of Education revisions to the support and evaluation plan. His work in teacher evaluation has given him the opportunity to present with the AFT and CEA in CT, Texas, and Chicago.
Dr. Cardona also teaches as an adjunct professor at UCONN in the Educational Leadership Department and enjoys working with prospective leaders in the state. A lifelong Meriden resident, and product of its public schools, Miguel is very active in his community having served or currently serving on the following Boards: United Way, Chrysalis, Boys and Girls Club, Meriden Hispanic Foundation, and Meriden Puerto Rican Festival Committee. He sees his professional employment as an extension of his passion to improve his city. Miguel has published several articles on topics such as equity, raising standards, and the importance of leveraging social capital for district success.
His greatest source of pride however is his family. Miguel is the proud father of Miguel Jr., age 14, and Celine, age 12. Miguel is here today with his lovely wife Marissa.
Ms. Daisy Torres, Secretary
Daisy Torres is the Director of English Learner Services, Dual Language, and World Languages for the Hartford Public Schools. She is a Bilingual (English & Spanish) educator with over 20 years of urban school experience as a teacher, department chairperson, and administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
Most recently, Ms. Torres was the Director of Bilingual, ESOL, World Language & Parent Engagement for New London Public Schools where she provided professional development on research-based instructional strategies for ELs to teachers and administrators district-wide, created New London’s first-ever Parent University, facilitated team analysis on data to improve outcomes for ELs, launched theLatinos in Action program for middle school students, and lead program development and design of the district’s magnet Dual Language and International Studies K-12 pathway.
From Southern Connecticut State University she has earned her Master of Arts Degree in TESOL/Multicultural and Bilingual Education, 111 TESOL, Pre-K-12, her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, 013 Elementary Education, K-6, and her Bachelor of Arts Degree minor in Spanish, 023 Spanish, 7-12. She has earned a Sixth Year Professional Diploma in Educational Leadership, 092 Intermediate Administrator/Supervisor, and will be pursuing her Doctorate of Education in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership with a focus on equity.
Lillian Fontán, Executive Director
Lillian Fontan is the retired principal of Hill Central School in New Haven, Connecticut. Prior to this she was an assistant principal. She has had a multitude of experiences serving high need students as a bilingual teacher, ESL teacher, Dual Language Coordinator, a district high school ELL instructional coach, and as a core member of CT READS. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Spanish, a Master's in TESOL and Bilingual Education, and a 6th Year in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University. She has 39 years of experience in K-12 settings.
Professional development has been a focus in her career, as she has been instrumental in the implementation of the Sheltered Content Model at the high school level. Her work includes a strong partnership with Dr. Liliana Minaya-Rowe, who played a major role in a whole school implementation of the SIOP Plus Model at Hill Central School. Moreover, she has trained district coaches and worked as a consultant with principals in Hartford. Lastly, she has also presented at SERC and for the Waterbury Public Schools.
Her most recent accomplishment has been exiting turnaround status. In addition, her school received a TAPS Award for effective leadership and teacher teams. Her mantra is "Teamwork breeds success." She continues to strive for excellence and values shared leadership, professional collaboration, high quality instruction, and teacher efficacy in helping to make a difference in the lives of students. She has a passion and professional expertise in quality second language instruction as a second language learner herself. She is highly committed to developing the next generation of Latino leaders who will be equipped to lead and make a difference in students' lives.
Professional development has been a focus in her career, as she has been instrumental in the implementation of the Sheltered Content Model at the high school level. Her work includes a strong partnership with Dr. Liliana Minaya-Rowe, who played a major role in a whole school implementation of the SIOP Plus Model at Hill Central School. Moreover, she has trained district coaches and worked as a consultant with principals in Hartford. Lastly, she has also presented at SERC and for the Waterbury Public Schools.
Her most recent accomplishment has been exiting turnaround status. In addition, her school received a TAPS Award for effective leadership and teacher teams. Her mantra is "Teamwork breeds success." She continues to strive for excellence and values shared leadership, professional collaboration, high quality instruction, and teacher efficacy in helping to make a difference in the lives of students. She has a passion and professional expertise in quality second language instruction as a second language learner herself. She is highly committed to developing the next generation of Latino leaders who will be equipped to lead and make a difference in students' lives.
Dr. Abie Benítez, Past-President
Abie Lane Benitez has extensive experience in school administration, instructional coaching and program development. She earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico, a Master’s in Education at University of Pittsburgh, an advanced degree in Counseling at Fairfield University and a Ph. D. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Benitez’ passion is to create opportunities for teachers to develop skills that will facilitate increased student ownership of the learning process. She believes that science, art and culture are stimulating ways to engage the brain while increasing the learner’s capacity in other academic areas. Throughout her career, Dr. Benitez has provided strong leadership on access to the mainstream curriculum for linguistically diverse students. In collaboration with staff and parents, Dr. Benitez built a community of learners where students seize their capacity to learn in a safe environment and their families are partners with educators in facilitating this experience. In 2002, the American Educational Research Association awarded her the Best Bilingual Education Dissertation Award. The same year the government of Puerto Rico named Dr. Benitez Illustrious Woman of Puerto Rico. In addition to other awards, she’s been the recipient of the ELM/Ivy Award given by Yale University and the City of New Haven and the Heritage Award given by the New Haven Board of Alders Black and Hispanic Caucus.
Dr. Benitez is currently a Director of Instruction in the New Haven Public Schools in charge of a portfolio of schools, as well as supporting all schools with a high prevalence of English language learners. Prior to serving as a Director of Instruction, she served for over 10 years as the principal of the Christopher Columbus Family Academy, a dual language school. Over the years, she has held various positions such as Curriculum, Staff Developer and Coordinator, Title I Consultant, Guidance Counselor, and Adult Education teacher.
Dr. Benitez is currently a Director of Instruction in the New Haven Public Schools in charge of a portfolio of schools, as well as supporting all schools with a high prevalence of English language learners. Prior to serving as a Director of Instruction, she served for over 10 years as the principal of the Christopher Columbus Family Academy, a dual language school. Over the years, she has held various positions such as Curriculum, Staff Developer and Coordinator, Title I Consultant, Guidance Counselor, and Adult Education teacher.