Executive Team
Dr. Maribel Olivero, President
Dr. Maribel Olivero was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. Olivero is currently the Director of Equity and Languages at the Connecticut State Department of Education where she is leading the development of world language standards and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives statewide. She also plays a pivotal role in supporting multilingual learner programs and the implementation of the African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino course of studies.
With over 20 years of dedicated service in education, Maribel has made significant contributions to the field through her extensive experience and unwavering commitment to student success. Her extensive experience, deep knowledge, and passion for education make her a respected leader and advocate for underserved populations. Dr. Olivero has been an educator for over 20 years and began her career as a Bilingual Teacher at New London High School.
Throughout her tenure with New London Public Schools, Maribel has demonstrated exceptional leadership and versatility. Her roles have spanned across various administrative positions at the elementary, middle and high school levels including Dean of Students, Principal, Director of Operations, Director of International Education and Dual Language, and as the district’s Director of Bilingual Education, ESOL, and World Languages.
She holds a Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, and Sixth-Year Diploma from the University of Connecticut, as well as a Doctor of Education from the University of Hartford. Dr. Maribel Olivero is dedicated to pursuing excellence in all her endeavors and maintains a passionate and unwavering commitment to making a difference.
With over 20 years of dedicated service in education, Maribel has made significant contributions to the field through her extensive experience and unwavering commitment to student success. Her extensive experience, deep knowledge, and passion for education make her a respected leader and advocate for underserved populations. Dr. Olivero has been an educator for over 20 years and began her career as a Bilingual Teacher at New London High School.
Throughout her tenure with New London Public Schools, Maribel has demonstrated exceptional leadership and versatility. Her roles have spanned across various administrative positions at the elementary, middle and high school levels including Dean of Students, Principal, Director of Operations, Director of International Education and Dual Language, and as the district’s Director of Bilingual Education, ESOL, and World Languages.
She holds a Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, and Sixth-Year Diploma from the University of Connecticut, as well as a Doctor of Education from the University of Hartford. Dr. Maribel Olivero is dedicated to pursuing excellence in all her endeavors and maintains a passionate and unwavering commitment to making a difference.
Miguel Pabon, President-Elect
Miguel Pabon currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of CREC Magnet Schools. In this role, Miguel is involved in all areas of district leadership, with a particular focus on Special Education and Pupil Services.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Miguel has lived in Connecticut the majority of his life. He is a bilingual/bicultural educational professional with over 28 years of experience working in urban education. He began his career in Hartford, where he served as a bilingual school psychologist for 9 years.
Since 2005, Miguel has held a variety of leadership positions in several school districts, including Hartford, CREC, Windham and Waterbury. In Hartford, Miguel held leadership roles such as, Coordinator of Psychological Services, Assistant Principal, and Special Education Supervisor. He also previously worked at CREC for 7 years, as a Supervisor of Special Education and Pupil Services of CREC Magnet Schools. Since then, Miguel has served as Director of Pupil Services in Windham and Waterbury, before returning to CREC in the role of Assistant Superintendent.
Miguel holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut, a Master's degree and Certified Advanced Graduate Studies (C.A.G.S.) degree in School Psychology from Northeastern University, as well as a 6th year degree in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University. He is a committed educational leader, who strongly believes in high expectations and equitable access for all students, especially students with diverse learning needs.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Miguel has lived in Connecticut the majority of his life. He is a bilingual/bicultural educational professional with over 28 years of experience working in urban education. He began his career in Hartford, where he served as a bilingual school psychologist for 9 years.
Since 2005, Miguel has held a variety of leadership positions in several school districts, including Hartford, CREC, Windham and Waterbury. In Hartford, Miguel held leadership roles such as, Coordinator of Psychological Services, Assistant Principal, and Special Education Supervisor. He also previously worked at CREC for 7 years, as a Supervisor of Special Education and Pupil Services of CREC Magnet Schools. Since then, Miguel has served as Director of Pupil Services in Windham and Waterbury, before returning to CREC in the role of Assistant Superintendent.
Miguel holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut, a Master's degree and Certified Advanced Graduate Studies (C.A.G.S.) degree in School Psychology from Northeastern University, as well as a 6th year degree in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University. He is a committed educational leader, who strongly believes in high expectations and equitable access for all students, especially students with diverse learning needs.
Adela Jorge , Vice President
Ms. Adela Jorge Ferguson became Principal of Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy for Global Studies in New Haven, CT in November, 2023. She is formerly the Supervisor of Bilingual/ESOL Education for the Waterbury Public Schools, a district where she spent over 25 years of her career. In this role, she ensured district compliance with local and federal mandates pertaining to English Learners, including the acquisition and management of federal and state grants and the administration of the annual English Language Proficiency assessment to the district’s approximate 3100 ELs. She also developed. coordinated and implemented district-wide professional development in best practices for teaching English Learners, including second language acquisition, differentiation, Sheltered Instruction, and the alignment of the Connecticut English Language Proficiency Standards with Connecticut Core Standards.
Adela is a skilled urban educator with over 25 years of teaching and leading experience. Since 1995, she has served as a Bilingual teacher, Vice Principal, Master Mentor, and Curriculum Supervisor. As a Bilingual teacher, she used her personal experiences as a Bilingual student to create safe spaces where children could learn and grow while benefiting from classroom practices that removed language barriers and provided equitable access to quality education. During her tenure as a teacher, she earned various degrees, including a M. Ed in Elementary Education from the University of Hartford, and a 6th year degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Sacred Heart University.
In 2004, Adela became Vice-Principal of Bucks Hill Elementary School, where she dedicated her time to ensuring parents felt welcomed in the school, students received linguistically and culturally responsive education, and teachers felt supported as they developed the necessary skills to effectively teach diverse students. In 2007, she was promoted to the position of Supervisor of the Bilingual/ESOL Education Department, where she has furthered efforts to provide English Learners with talented and highly qualified personnel.
Adela is a passionate advocate for providing all children with equitable opportunities for success by ensuring access to a high quality education. One of her greatest accomplishments is supporting potential teacher candidates as they navigate the process of attaining Bilingual/TESOL teacher certification. While this particular certification area is the number one teacher shortage area in Connecticut, her efforts led to Waterbury Public Schools successfully hiring 33 new Bilingual/ESOL certified teachers since 2015. She was also featured on WNPR as a Bilingual Teacher Recruitment and Development Expert.
Adela is deeply invested in promoting equity in educational systems, and is devoted to building partnerships that lead to positive outcomes for students, educators, families and the community. She has served as a member of the Core Planning Group of the English Language Learners Alliance for the Regional Education Laboratory, North East and Islands, as well as contributed to the development of the Connecticut Seal of Bi-literacy, and the writing of the Connecticut English Language Proficiency (CELP) Standards. She recently served as the First Co-chair of the CT Administrators of Programs for English Language Learners (CAPELL) and currently serves on the Board of the Hispanic Coalition of Greater Waterbury.
Adela has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including the Kellogg Lodge No. 5, Free and Accepted Masons’ 2018 Masonic Leadership and Trailblazer Award, the 2017 CT Parent Power’s Bilingual/Bicultural Leadership Hero Award, and the 2016 Greater Waterbury NAACP 30 Virtuous Women Award for Outstanding Service to the Community. In 2012, she received the Hispanic Coalition of Greater Waterbury’s Coqui Award for Excellence in Education, as well as was the recipient of UConn’s REALL Fellowship. She is proud to have been selected as the 2016 City of Waterbury Puerto Rican Mayor for a Day honoree.
Manuel Zaldivar, Secretary
Manuel "Manny" Zaldivar, originally from Honduras, is the 2016 Milken Educator recipient for CT. He arrived in this country in 1998. He studied English for a year at the New York Language Center in the Bronx, NY. He has been an educator for the past 20 years beginning his career in New York as a teacher assistant, then to a teacher and finally an instructional coach at Family Life Academy Charter School in the Bronx.
In 2009, Manuel moved to Bristol, Connecticut and became the intervention coordinator for Achievement First Hartford Academy Elementary school. He worked with the Consolidated School District of New Britain as a dual language teacher and English Language Development (ELD) first grade classroom teacher at Smalley Elementary School, where he also served as an ELD coach.
During the 2015-2016 school year, Manuel was awarded the Smalley Elementary School teacher of the year. He has served as Grade Level and the ELD team lead teacher. In 2018-2019, he became the assistant principal at Chamberlain Elementary School, transitioning to interim principal the following year. Currently, Manuel is the principal at Chamberlain Elementary School in CSDNB.
Manuel has been a member of the Connecticut Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (CALAS) for several years and served in the role of Regional Representative before being elected into the position of Secretary on the new Executive Board. He earned a Bachelor of Science in computer system and management applications in 2004 from Fordham University, a Master of Science in childhood education in 2007 from Lehman College at the City University of New York and completed the Bilingual-cross endorsement courses at Southern Connecticut State University. In 2016, he completed the administrator certification program at Sacred Heart University.
Lillian Fontán, Executive Director
Ms. 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.
Daisy Torres-Hill, Past-President
Ms. Daisy Torres-Hill is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning for Hartford Public Schools, one of the largest districts in Connecticut. In this role, she oversees the district's department of professional learning and is leading program design and development of the Hartford Principal and Assistant Principal Leadership Academies, pipeline programs aimed at retaining leaders in the district. Additionally, she leads program development for multilingual learners. bilingual/dual language, and world language education. Since 2018, under the leadership of Daisy and her team, over 500 students in Hartford have been awarded the Seal of Biliteracy in recognition of their multilingualism in two or more languages. She also led efforts in the recruitment and retention of 16 teachers from Puerto Rico as part of an innovative Paso a Paso program and 4 international teachers under the CT Visiting International Teachers Permit to diversify talent. She is a Bilingual (English & Spanish) educator with over 22 years of urban school experience at the elementary, middle, high school, and adult education levels.
Prior to Hartford, Daisy was the Director of Bilingual, ESOL, World Language & Parent Engagement for New London Public Schools where she created New London’s first-ever Parent University, launched Latinos in Action, a college and career readiness program for middle school students, and lead program development and design for the district’s magnet Dual Language and International Studies K-12 pathway.
In December 2019, she published her first bilingual (Spanish & English) children's book with 1010 publishing entitled "I'll See You On The Bridge", a heartfelt story about a young boy, the beautiful relationship with his dog, and pet loss. 100% of book proceeds goes to a graduating high school Latino/a/x from her alma mater, Maloney High School in Meriden, CT, who is pursuing an education major.
Daisy was awarded the 2022 Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) & Curriculum Associates $10,000 scholarship to complete her doctorate program and the Outstanding Educator Leadership Award with the Connecticut Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (CALAS) in 2018,
From Southern Connecticut State University, she earned her Master of Arts Degree in TESOL/Multicultural and Bilingual, a Bachelor of Science Degree in elementary education, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish, and a Sixth Year Professional Diploma in Educational Leadership. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Education in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership at University of Connecticut. Her research topic is: El Poder de las Historias y los Testimonios: Learning from the Lived Experiences of Latina Superintendents through Platicas.
Dr. Evelyn Robles-Rivas, Past-President
Dr. Evelyn Robles-Rivas, Ph.D., s currently working as the Supervisor of Language & Community Partnerships for Meriden Public Schools. She is the former principal of Worthington Hooker School in New Haven, CT. She was very supportive of the arts integration and played an active role coaching teachers, helping them identify best practices to develop students’ reading and writing skills and implementing integrated units based on an arts integration model. Through these methods, along with her leadership style, she helped keep this highly diverse school as a creative and productive place where all students succeeded.
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 teachers. She is also an adjunct professor at SCSU Leadership program, and was an adjunct professor of methods and curriculum in the Connecticut's Alternative Route to Certification Program.
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 is devoted to serving and 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 New Haven. In 2015, Dr. Robles-Rivas’ contributions to the Latino community were formally recognized by the Progreso Latino Fund (PLF) .
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 teachers. She is also an adjunct professor at SCSU Leadership program, and was an adjunct professor of methods and curriculum in the Connecticut's Alternative Route to Certification Program.
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 is devoted to serving and 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 New Haven. In 2015, Dr. Robles-Rivas’ contributions to the Latino community were formally recognized by the Progreso Latino Fund (PLF) .
Dr. Madeline Negrón, Past-President
Dr. Madeline Negrón currently serves as the proud Superintendent for New Haven 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 25 years of public education experience, consisting of elementary and secondary instruction, as well as school level and central office level leadership, resulting in expertise leading systemic strategies aimed at improving the quality of teaching of learning.
Prior to her role as Superintendent, Dr. Negron served as the Chief Academic Officer for Hartford Public Schools and 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 highly successful sheltered instruction team to meet the needs of multilingual 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 completed the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Negrón was recently recognized by EdWeek in Leaders to Learn From Class of 2022. In 2014, Dr. Negrón was awarded the LEAD CT Policy and Practice Fellow for proven results as an educational leader 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.
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Prior to her role as Superintendent, Dr. Negron served as the Chief Academic Officer for Hartford Public Schools and 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 highly successful sheltered instruction team to meet the needs of multilingual 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 completed the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Negrón was recently recognized by EdWeek in Leaders to Learn From Class of 2022. In 2014, Dr. Negrón was awarded the LEAD CT Policy and Practice Fellow for proven results as an educational leader 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.
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Dr. Abie Benítez, Past-President
Ms. 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.
Most recently, Dr. Benitez was the 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.
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.
Most recently, Dr. Benitez was the 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.
