Executive Team
Daisy Torres, President
Ms. Daisy Torres was born and raised in Meriden, CT and is currently the Director of Services for Multilingual Learners, Dual, and World Languages for Hartford Public Schools, overseeing programming and services in one of the largest school districts in Connecticut. Since 2018, under the leadership of Daisy and her team, over 400 students in Hartford have been awarded the Seal of Biliteracy in recognition of their multilingualism in two or more languages. . She is also leading efforts in the recruitment and retention of 15 teachers from Puerto Rico as part of an innovative Paso a Paso program to diversify talent. She is a Bilingual (English & Spanish) educator with over 20 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.
Daisy was awarded the Outstanding Educator Leadership Award with the Connecticut Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (CALAS) in 2018.
From Southern Connecticut State University she has 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 with a focus on Latinx women in educational leadership positions at the University of Connecticut..
Dr. Maribel Olivero, President-Elect
Dr. Maribel Olivero is currently the Director of Bilingual Education, ESOL, and World Languages for New London Public Schools. Maribel has a wealth of experience, knowledge, and dedication to ensuring students who are learning and/or mastering a second language succeed in all areas. Maribel has been an educator for about 20 years and began her career as a Bilingual Teacher at New London High School.
During her tenure with New London Public Schools she has also served in a variety of administrative roles including Dean of Students, Principal, Director of Operations, Director of International Education and Dual Language, and in 2018 transitioned into her current role as Director of Bilingual Education, ESOL, and World Languages. .
During her tenure with New London Public Schools she has also served in a variety of administrative roles including Dean of Students, Principal, Director of Operations, Director of International Education and Dual Language, and in 2018 transitioned into her current role as Director of Bilingual Education, ESOL, and World Languages. .
Miguel Pabon , Vice President
Miguel Pabon is currently the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services in the Waterbury Public School District.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Miguel has lived in Connecticut the majority of his life and is a product of an urban public school education. He is bilingual/bicultural and has dedicated his professional career of over 26 years to working in urban education. After earning his Bachelor’s degree from UCONN, and Master’s degree from Northeastern University, he worked as a bilingual school psychologist in the Hartford Public School District for 9 years.
Miguel earned his 6th year degree in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University and has held a variety of leadership positions in several school districts, including Hartford, CREC, Windham and Waterbury.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Miguel has lived in Connecticut the majority of his life and is a product of an urban public school education. He is bilingual/bicultural and has dedicated his professional career of over 26 years to working in urban education. After earning his Bachelor’s degree from UCONN, and Master’s degree from Northeastern University, he worked as a bilingual school psychologist in the Hartford Public School District for 9 years.
Miguel earned his 6th year degree in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University and has held a variety of leadership positions in several school districts, including Hartford, CREC, Windham and Waterbury.
Adela Jorge, Secretary
Ms. Adela Jorge Ferguson is currently the Supervisor of Bilingual/ESOL Education for the Waterbury Public Schools system. In this role, she ensures 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 develops, coordinates and implements 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
