LEC PROGRAMS

Latinx Education Collaborative achieves our mission through 4 strategic objectives: growing the number of Latinx educators, strengthening Latinx home & school partnerships, increasing Latinx student empowerment and solidifying allies’ support. Our yearly programs revolve around each objective.
Expresión
Evolución
Futuros Program
Latinx Educator Awards

Expresión

The Expresión Storytelling Fellowship is a national professional development initiative dedicated to amplifying the narratives of Latinx educators and youth. Expresión offers participants an opportunity to cultivate their storytelling skills and co-craft narratives to shape the future of the educational equity and excellence movement. This program is co-led by and facilitated by the Latinx Education Collaborative and Storytellers for Change. The program operates in a cohort model in the spring with up to 12 participants at a time.

Commitment

– 3-hour virtual orientation and retreat.

– Participate in nine 1.5-hour virtual workshops.

– Participate in two coaching sessions with facilitators from the Latinx Education Collaborative and Storytellers for Change. Coaching sessions will be scheduled individually. 

– Participate in a 1 hour recorded interview to share your experience and feedback. Interviews will be scheduled individually.


– Self-Paced Course – readings and workshop activities (3 hours per week). 

Benefits

Leadership

Develop your leadership and storytelling skills.
By participating in engaging activities and projects, participants will develop storytelling skills, reflect on their leadership journey, and explore their identities.

Community

Join a community of Latinx educators & future education changemakers.
The program consists of virtual workshops where fellows will collaborate and build community with a cohort of peers.

Impact

Shape the future of the narrative change in education.
Throughout the program, fellows will have opportunities to contribute their unique voices and experiences towards crafting and sharing stories to shape the future of educational equity.

Evolución

Evolución, the LEC’s annual fall conference is dedicated to supporting Latinx educators. This event brings together education professionals and allies for a day of engaging discussions, keynotes, and breakout sessions that address both the challenges and opportunities in the field. Evolución is tailored for current Latinx educators seeking culturally responsive professional development, as well as future Latinx professionals who want to expand their networks and explore career opportunities. It also benefits educators working in districts with large Latinx student populations who aim to enhance their effectiveness, and educators of color looking to connect with peers and acquire culturally responsive resiliency strategies.

Please kindly sign up for timely updates on our programs:

Futuros Program

The Futuros program aims to add 50 new Latinx educators to the greater Kansas City metro teacher pipeline by December 2027. This comprehensive initiative seeks to address the critical underrepresentation of Latinx teachers in the region. The program targets aspiring Latinx educators from middle school through college and beyond, offering culturally responsive and affirming experiences at each stage of their educational journey. Futuros includes in-school presentations, family engagement, partnerships with local organizations, scholarship opportunities, summer camps, mentorship, and certification support. By fostering a strong sense of belonging and identity, the program endeavors to create a sustainable and replicable pipeline model that ensures Latinx educators thrive in their careers​.

Latinx Educator Awards

The Latinx Educator Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of Latinx educators who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their students and communities. This event in late spring recognizes individuals who are not only leaders in the classroom but also champions of equity, inclusion, and representation within the education system. The awards highlight the achievements of these educators in fostering a supportive and empowering environment for Latinx students, advocating for culturally responsive teaching practices, and inspiring the next generation of Latinx leaders. Through these awards, the LEC aims to shine a spotlight on the vital role that Latinx educators play in shaping the future of education.

AWARD REQUIREMENTS