Ana has been a curriculum developer, interpreter, translator, and trainer for over 25 years. She has authored curricula nationally including the Intercultural Parent and Youth Leadership Program, the Interpretation Academy for Bilingual High School Students, the Arkansas Interpreter Credential in Education course, a 40-hour certification preparation course for medical interpreters, and various online courses for the University of Georgia, including the Professional Interpreter in Education Certificate, the Professional Interpreter in Special Education Certificate, and the Professional Translator in Education Certificate, which she has been teaching for over 10 years. She completed her degree in Social Work at Georgia State University, her Master’s Degree in Public Health at Emory University, and is a Ph.D. in Special Education student at the University of Georgia. Her Ph.D. research interests include the intersection of ableism and linguicism, and the impact of untrained interpreters on family engagement in the fulfillment of inclusive education. She remains an active medical and educational interpreter and translator.

Rita is Professor Emerita at Purdue University Northwest and began her teaching career serving students with mild and intense special education needs. She has worked as an inclusion consultant in addition to having over 30 years in higher education. Rita is a frequent presenter on special education issues, a successful grant writer, and past director of multiple federally funded projects that have ranged from preparing bilingual and ESL teachers and paraprofessionals to become special educators to serving students with intense needs and co-teaching in science classrooms. She is past chair of the Illinois State Board of Education’s Joint Subcommittee on Bilingual Special Education. Rita currently facilitates online course offerings for NAETISL.

Jessica Sanchez, a dedicated board member and treasurer of NAETISL, is committed to enhancing language access and education. As the owner and founder of NWA Bilingual Solutions in Northwest Arkansas, she offers a range of linguistic services including interpreting, translating, notary public, and bilingual marriage officiating in both English and Spanish. Her role extends to active participation in the Rogers Public Library Multicultural Inclusive Initiative, where she contributes to bridging communication barriers. Jessica’s primary focus is in the educational field as an Arkansas Credentialed interpreter, where she not only provides interpretation services but also imparts her knowledge as a co-facilitator of the Arkansas Bilingual Interpreter Credential in Education training course. Her work is driven by a deep-seated ambition to close the language gap in communities, ensuring accessible communication for all.

Flor Castellanos Sanchez is the Founder and Director of Speakworthy, a business dedicated to interpreter training. A licensed interpreter trainer since 2018, Flor holds a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. Before founding Speakworthy, she directed an interpreter training social enterprise for a non-profit in Austin which trained refugees as interpreters and contracted with the City of Austin to train bilingual employees. Flor has taught community and medical interpreting at the college level and has been a professional interpreter since 2016. Her experience spans medical, educational, and social service settings, with a specialization in victim services for survivors of torture. A passionate advocate for language justice, Flor is committed to empowering others to leverage their language skills for impactful communication. Flor’s research on language brokering and interpreting in school settings has been featured at multiple conferences, where she has presented on language access and the nuances of interpreting in educational contexts.

Maria Leyva is the Coordinator of Language Justice and Family Partnership at Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) in Davis, CA. A dedicated advocate for language access, she has served DJUSD for 13 years as both a district and community interpreter and translator.

As a founding board member of NAETISL, Maria has played a key role in advancing professional standards for interpreters and translators in education. She leads DJUSD’s interpreter network, fostering professional growth and ensuring high-quality, consistent, and reliable language services for students and families.

Maria holds a bachelor’s degree from UMSNH in Mexico and a master’s degree in Internal Medicine from IMSS. Her background in medicine and education equips her with a unique perspective on the critical role of accurate communication in diverse settings.

Her unwavering commitment to language justice and cultural awareness has strengthened family partnerships and ensured that linguistic barriers do not stand in the way of student success. Passionate and tenacious, Maria is dedicated to empowering her school district and community by providing equitable access to education for all.

Jeannette has been an interpreter and translator for over 20 years starting her career in her native country of Colombia. After moving to the US, she continued her professional development achieving accreditations as a Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI-Spanish), State Certified Court Interpreter and ATA Certified Translator. She is the founder and president of HIT Services, an organization that provides interpretation, translation, and training services aimed to create awareness of the role that meaningful language access and cultural competency play in our community, and to support interpreters in improving their qualifications and skills. Throughout her career she has had the opportunity to work in different fields such as health care, human services, and court, specializing for many years in women and children sexual abuse cases. In recent years, Jeannette has focused her work on the area of education, creating training materials both for interpreters and school districts and leading an experienced team of interpreters and translators in helping school districts create and maintain diverse and inclusive environments.

Juanita has been a State Certified Court Interpreter for over 15 years. She worked full time for the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch from 2008 until 2021. During her time with the state, she also acted as a mentor to upcoming court interpreters in the Interpreter and Translator Services Unit Mentoring Program, the purpose of which was to guide prospect court interpreters to successful certification. Additionally, she contributed in the translation of legal documents and participated in organizing the state yearly workshops for court interpreter training for the CT Judicial Branch. She was involved as the editor of Intraconnect, the interpreter’s department newsletter of the Judicial Branch. She holds a certification from the National Center for State Courts, NCSC, in Court Interpretation, a certificate in Medical Interpretation from Central Connecticut State University as well as a certificate from the Southern California School of Interpretation for Interpretation in Immigration Court.

She currently owns a language services agency and teaches Introduction to Interpretation at Southern Connecticut State University. Her objective is to guide bilingual individuals interested in working as interpreters in navigating the steps needed to achieve court, medical and/or educational interpreting certification as well as creating awareness on the importance of the interpreting profession.

Stephanie is the co-founder of NTC Language Services and has 15 years of experience supervising Translation and Multilingual Outreach activities in the educational field. Her roles have included recruiting quality personnel, training staff, and providing direct services to speakers of over forty different languages. Stephanie’s passion is connecting with her community and empowering the clientele that she serves.

Estrella Ruiz is the Family Coordinator for the Departments of Access, Opportunity & Family Partnership and Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education for Mesa County Valley School District 51 in Colorado. She is a strong advocate for equitable education, essential services, and language justice, ensuring multilingual families have meaningful access to resources and support. Through collaboration with educators, community leaders, and policymakers, she develops culturally responsive strategies that promote inclusivity and equity in schools. With a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work, Estrella is a dedicated community leader committed to education, mental health, and policy advocacy. She has designed and facilitated training on language justice and family partnership, equipping educators and service providers with the tools to better support diverse communities. Estrella’s commitment to service extends beyond her professional roles. She leads parenting classes, organizes community events, and serves on multiple boards and committees focused on immigrant rights, language access, and social justice. Through her leadership and passion, she continues to drive meaningful change, creating stronger, more inclusive communities in the Grand Valley and beyond.

Cèlia Llaberia Vilalta is a learning disabilities teacher/consultant and has been an educator in the public-school setting for over 20 years. Originally from Spain, she spent her formative years in a bilingual household, seamlessly using two languages. She attended Universitat de Lleida, and her undergraduate studies focused on linguistics, concentrating on teaching English as a foreign language. She has taught adult and K-12 Spanish and English. Cèlia has an MA in Diversity and Inclusion and a certificate of advanced graduate studies in learning disabilities from Rowan University, NJ. She also holds certificates in DEI, Inclusive Pedagogy, and Inclusive Campus from Rowan University. She is a member of the New Jersey Association of Learning Consultants (ALC), and the Council for Exceptional Children’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners, and Learning Disabilities divisions. She has been a member of NAETISL since 2021, has developed curriculum, and taught courses for NAETISL since 2022.

Bella Ronchi is a Brazilian-born language specialist with nearly 15 years of experience as an interpreter and project manager. She holds a degree in Applied Languages from Paris 3 – Sorbonne Nouvelle and has built her career in education, government, and public service sectors. Bella began interpreting for grassroots NGOs and social initiatives in Brazil before relocating abroad, where she has lived and worked across multiple countries for over two decades. She has supported both international and local organizations in advancing meaningful language access, particularly within school systems and trial courts. In recent years, she has combined her field expertise with systems design, developing scalable, tech-enabled solutions to improve workflows and meet the evolving needs of interpreters and multilingual institutions. Her work continues to focus on bridging language gaps and connecting people, services, and communities through thoughtful and inclusive language access.

Aceriane Leal manages the School Finder Program – Multilingual Phone Line at the Federation for Children with Special Needs, where she supports immigrant, bilingual, and multicultural families in navigating the complexities of school options in Massachusetts. Through the School Finder Help Line, she provides culturally responsive, multilingual guidance to help families understand their educational opportunities, from preschool to high school, including Career and Technical Education, special education services, and language access support. With a strong commitment to equity and inclusion, Aceriane builds trusted relationships with families and community-based organizations, meeting people where they are and ensuring they are informed, empowered, and supported every step of the way. She also serves on the Special Education Advisory Council to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and regularly co-presents at statewide conferences and professional development events, bringing the voices and lived experiences of the families she serves into broader conversations about educational access, belonging, and family engagement.

Claudia has a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s in organizational development. She has been a translator and interpreter for the Corvallis School District in Oregon since 2016. She has been an educational assistant and is currently an administrative assistant for Corvallis High School. During her time as an educational assistant, she was an interpreter for IEP and 504 meetings. She also provided simultaneous interpretation for some meetings at the DLI schools. Before moving to the United States, Claudia worked for the Universidad del Valle de México. She was part of the team working on getting the university the FIMPES accreditation. She was also the coordinator for the communications major. In that position, she oversaw the organization of two international conferences. Currently, she translates the communications from the district to families and the community, including technical documents for strategic planning.

Hector Ontiveros is the Technology and Innovation Department Coordinator at Barrington 220, a prominent northwest suburban public school district in Illinois. In this capacity, he oversees the school district’s interpretation and translation team, ensuring effective communication and access to resources for all members of the community. With a background as a professional interpreter at Barrington 220, Hector has developed a deep understanding of and connection with the Spanish-speaking community within the district. In September 2023, Hector assumed the role of Communications Coordinator for NAETISL, an organization dedicated to providing quality content and support to educational translators and interpreters. Through his work in this role, Hector plays a pivotal part in advancing NAETISL’s mission and fostering communication within the educational sector. His commitment to bridging language barriers and expanding opportunities for meaningful engagement underscores both his role at Barrington 220 and his work with NAETISL. Beyond his professional endeavors, Hector finds joy in exploring new destinations and experiences, continuously seeking to broaden his horizons and make positive impacts in his community.

Sebastian is the proud owner of Soler Vision Studios, a self-taught stop-motion animator, and a bilingual screenwriter. He provides technical and marketing support to NAETISL and has supported the expansion of our social media reach through Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Sebastian coordinates the production of audio and video clips in multiple languages to support the professional development and skill-building of interpreters in education. He also creates informational videos for stakeholders to highlight the impact of interpreters in early childhood and K-12 settings.

Felix Ramos, Jr. is a dedicated language professional completing his Bachelor’s degree in Spanish, with a Minor in Spanish Interpreting and Translating, from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). With a deep-seated passion for language and communication, he aspires to become a successful Spanish, Court, Medical, and Educational Interpreter, using his bilingual skills in English and Spanish to bridge communication gaps and empower individuals across diverse subject areas.

Growing up along the US-Mexico border has profoundly shaped Felix’s understanding of the critical role clear communication plays in fostering connection and understanding. His experiences have instilled in him a commitment to advocate for those who may struggle to find their voice in a complex world. With a strong foundation in both written and verbal communication, he approaches every interaction with a focus on accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and compassion. Felix’s prior teaching experience, combined with his background in Spanish interpreting, has equipped him with the skills to contribute meaningfully to the NAETISL team. He is honored to participate in the Pilot Test for certifying spoken language interpreters in education nationally and looks forward to collaborating on the NAETISL Educational Terminology Glossary, which aims to support and empower future educational interpreters. Felix is excited to join NAETISL as a Resource Development Coordinator and is committed to making a positive impact within the community by fostering meaningful connections and advocating for language access. He believes that through language, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society, and he is eager to be a part of that transformative journey.

Gladys Guerra is a highly qualified interpreter and translator with a deep commitment to advancing language access in educational settings. She studied at the University of Puerto Rico and holds the Arkansas Bilingual Interpreter Credential in Education (ABICE) from the University of Arkansas. Her professional training includes the Bridging the Gap Certificate Program through the Cross-Cultural Health Care (CCHCP) and the Qualified Interpreter Training (TQII) through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

With a solid background in both written and spoken language, Gladys brings accuracy, cultural competence, and compassion to every assignment. She is also a professional translator specializing in special education documents, ensuring families and educators have access to clear and accurate information in support of student success. She is the founder and owner of a professional translation and interpretation services business, which she has successfully operated since 2019, specializing in support for schools, students, and families.

As an active member of the American Translators Association (ATA), Gladys brings both expertise and passion to her work. Her dedication is especially evident in her advocacy for students receiving special education services, a mission that is both personal and professional. She has completed the Volunteer Advocacy Program (VAP) and the Coaching Others and Mentoring Parents About School Services (COMPASS) training, equipping her to effectively support families navigating the special education system.

Gladys also serves as the NAETISL Regional Chapter Coordinator, where she plays a key role in establishing regional chapters and organizing conferences to strengthen professional networks and elevate standards in the field.