Meet Our Executive Board

Alondra is a 1st generation former DACA recipient, a current U-visa holder, the proud daughter of immigrant workers and an MPS Bilingual Teacher at Allen-Field Elementary. Being raised in the heart of the Southside of Milwaukee for the past 25 years after leaving her hometown, Morelia, in Mexico as a young 2-year-old, she has learned to love the place she now calls home. She has had the honor to serve the community she proudly identifies with and advocates for in and out of the classroom. She strongly believes in the power of community, resilience and truth. 

Being a first generation DACAmented educator and a proud daughter of immigrants, Alondra, has taken upon the opportunities of being bilingual. However, she has come across many challenges due to her identity such as having limited access to public resources that are easily attainable to others because of a difference in “status”. Nevertheless, she has learned to embrace her identity and use it to empower herself in her journey to educate others about the immigrant community and their contribution to society. Within her time in the MPS district as a proud MPS graduate and now as a 2nd grade bilingual teacher, she has come to understand the countless inequities the bilingual program encounters. Thus, as President, she plans to network, educate, and collaborate with other neighboring districts about their implementation of bilingual programs in order to bring a more equitable bilingual education to her district and across the state.

Lori currently serves as WIABE President. Prior, she was WIABE board member-at-large since 2019 where she had the opportunity to collaborate with a dedicated team of bilingual leaders passionate to move our organization forward even through the most challenging times of the pandemic. Being able to represent our affiliate and collaborate with other NABE affiliate leaders from throughout the country has been an empowering experience for Lori which she looks forward to building upon to enhance our organization. She brings over 20 years experience in education including 16 years as a secondary bilingual-bicultural teacher and district bilingual coordinator. This is her fourth year as EL and bilingual-bicultural consultant at CESA 6. She earned both her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Director of Curriculum and Principal licenses from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Ana Báez earned a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a proud product of Milwaukee Public Schools. She currently is a Bilingual High School Counselor for Milwaukee Public Schools-South Division High School, the largest bilingual school in the state. Prior to working for MPS, she was a Bilingual Case Manager for Independent Care Health Plan where she worked to ensure bilingual families received essential education on how to obtain and receive proper health care services. Ana has worked for the PEOPLE Pre-College program where she provided Social/Emotional, Academic and Career guidance and curriculum for low income, first-generation students of color from Wisconsin. 

Through WIABE, she is committed to continuing to play an active role in identifying and removing barriers which hinder our English Language Learners from pursuing and achieving academic success. Moreover, she believes in the importance of fostering partnerships to build the village our students need to support themselves in accomplishing their dreams. She has served WIABE for the last 3 years as a board member under filling for the position of Recording Secretary. During this time she has helped establish an electronic filing system for all WIABE files, taken and maintained accurate meeting minutes, created and maintained an inventory system for WIABE items and property, and would like to continue to serve WIABE in this capacity.

Ivelis Pérez is the School Implementor at Escuela Vieau in Milwaukee Public Schools, and for eight years, was an Early Childhood Bilingual Teacher at the same school. Prior to becoming an educator, she was the Executive Director of Alianza Latina Aplicando Soluciones, an organization that serves children with disabilities and their families. Ivelis Perez has over 10 years of experience in bilingual education, early childhood education and nonprofits. Her diverse background in both education and nonprofit work, coupled with my deep commitment to bilingual education, has prepared her to contribute meaningfully to the WIABE organization.

 She earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Bilingual Early Childhood and Master’s degree in Educational Leadership with Director of Curriculum and Principal licenses from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Ivelis has served on the WIABE board as President (2015-2017) member at large (2013-2015) and now as Corresponding Secretary. She is passionate about multilingual education and believes that we must give the gift of multilingualism to all children in Wisconsin.

Dr. Juan Báez is the proud father of three daughters who attend Milwaukee Public Schools. He is currently the Principal at Milwaukee School of Languages at Milwaukee Public Schools.  Dr. Baez has a strong commitment to bilingual education and believes that all children should have the gift of bilingualism/multilingualism with access to an equitable and quality public education. Dr. Baez believes that all children are capable of amazing achievements when they receive the right opportunities. 

Luz Hernández is a WIABE board Member at Large because of the need for strong and committed leadership in the state of Wisconsin as it pertains to bilingual education. For Luz, it has been an honor serving bilingual educators and students in the state of WI for the past 3 years as a board member at large working diligently with my fellow board members to advocate for issues as bilingual educators as well as the needs of our students, while planning our annual conference which is truly the voice of bilingual education in the state of Wisconsin. She would like to continue the important work WIABE does on behalf of bilingual education in the state of Wisconsin.

José Trejo is the principal  at South Division High School, which is one of the most diverse high schools in the state. It also houses the largest bilingual program at the high school level in the state of Wisconsin. He is also the proud father of an elementary age boy that attends a bilingual elementary school within Milwaukee Public Schools. He has previously served in a number of non-profit boards, including as president of the board of the largest immigrant rights organization in the state, Voces de la Frontera. Mr. Trejo has also served on the board of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, where he advocated for a number of initiatives around bilingual education. As a proud product of public, bilingual education, Mr. Trejo believes that in an increasingly multicultural and multilingual society, bilingual and multilingual education is an integral part of a 21st century education.

Dulce Rosas Bucio, is a wife, a mother, & daughter of Mexican immigrants.  Born in Mexico city & raised in Milwaukee, WI. She attended Forest Home Ave School, Kosciuszko Middle school & St. Joan Antida High School. This is where her journey began as a proud bilingual student. At an early age she was taught  to love her culture & honor her language but most importantly to be proud of who she was as a Mexican American. She is a first generation college graduate from UW-Milwaukee, who earned her degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in School Counseling. She has 20 years of experience in education, currently working at Milwaukee School of Languages as a Bilingual School Counselor. Her passion is working with the youth & parents, bridging two worlds with new traditions all while staying connected to their roots. She is honored to serve WIABE & her community as a new board member-at- large. 

Gregory Cramer is Associate Professor of Bilingual/Bicultural Education and Chair of the Teacher Education Department at UW-Parkside, where he created licensure programs for ESL and Bilingual Education. Prior to UW-Parkside, Dr. Cramer taught for 15 years in Milwaukee Public Schools. He taught bilingual social studies at South Division High School, co-founded Advanced Language and Academic Studies (ALAS) High School, and taught at Riverside University High School. He is the proud father of two bilingual daughters who graduated from MPS, and his wife, Elsa, is a K4 bilingual teacher at La Escuela Fratney. Dr. Cramer’s research centers on undocumented students in K-12 schools. He earned his Master’s and PhD degrees from UW-Milwaukee and his Bachelors from Dartmouth College.

Ana Santiago is a Bilingual English teacher at South Division High School. She has been teaching for 40 years and 8 months; 19 years in Puerto Rico, grades K to 9th and 21 years and 8 months in Milwaukee Public Schools. Her academic preparation started in 1977 at Pontifical Catholic University of Ponce, PR where she graduated with a Bachelors in Science, and a major in Psychology in 1981. In 1991, she graduated with a BA in Secondary Education-English. In 2001, she graduated with a MAED in English Curriculum and Instruction at University of Phoenix Puerto Rico. In 2004, she completed the Bilingual Certification at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 2015, she finished her MAED Educational Leadership at Concordia University, Wisconsin. 

As a community member, she is an active member of the organization National Conference of Puerto Rican Women-Milwaukee Chapter. Ana has held the position of president in the past and at this moment she is the treasurer of the chapter. She likes to volunteer in community activities by helping different organizations. She would love to bring her experience and skills to serve the WIABE board.

Jennifer Santiago is a mother of two amazing women Gianna and Orisa. She has been working for Milwaukee Public schools for 24 years as an Art Specialist or in administrative roles. She currently teaches at ALBA, a bilingual public charter school. ALBA is the first bilingual International Baccalaureate (IB) school in the state of Wisconsin for their Primary Years Program. As an IB school, they work to advance their global perspectives while honoring their bilingual, bi-literate, and indigenous roots.

She has an undergraduate degree in fine arts from UW-Milwaukee and holds a dual master's in administrative leadership & curriculum/instruction from Alverno College. She has been honored to receive a Herb Kohl Teacher of the Year Fellowship in 2000.

Motivated to experience the world through culture and the arts, she once managed a local band called Spanglish and has been asked to perform for WIABE in the past. She believes that by experiencing music, dance, food, travel, sharing cultural history and stories from people around the world, it allows us to enrich our lives with meaning and joy!

Rafael Burgos Rivera was a Bilingual Educator for over 26 years in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and now is a teacher preparation program mentor with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for future ESL, Bilingual and/or Special Education teachers and a Bilingual Communication Professor for Bilingual GED/HSED adult students at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC).

Rafael was an integral part of MPS, District Multicultural Multilingual Advisory Council, 2016-2017 to increase multicultural and language opportunities for students by meeting with MPS leadership on matters of cultural respect, connections with families and community members, and language services. He helped with the Bilingual Expansion in Milwaukee Public School District and was a Founding Member of Bilingual Montessori Program, 2015-2017 by participating in the Dual Language Montessori planning team. 

Rebeca Soto is a Bilingual Educator serving the Southside community, who is deeply committed to supporting and empowering students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Her commitment to social justice has fueled her passion for education, driving her to advocate for equitable opportunities for all students. Language is a powerful tool for personal and academic growth, particularly within the bilingual and multilingual communities. She is, and always will be, dedicated to fostering environments where students can thrive in both their native languages and in English. She is motivated to contribute to the ongoing development of bilingual programs across the state and ensure that students have access to high-quality, culturally responsive education.

Jailene Roman is a Bilingual Educator who has had the pleasure of working within my school and community.  The Bilingual program has allowed her diverse learners to grow in their multilingual skills while simultaneously gaining an appreciation of their and other cultures. Growing up she didn't have access to such programs and through her teaching experience have seen the effectiveness of them and how it helps students grow academically, emotionally, and socially. She believes that Bilingual programs are crucial to students and families. Currently working in the classroom allows her to have direct experience with the implementation and effectiveness of the program while also putting everything into perspective in our changing world.

Graciela Navarro is a Special Education Teacher at Allen-Field Elementary School, her expertise in using new information and communication technologies (ICT) to build materials for my students and support communication with families. Her technological savvy skills are invaluable in contributing to WIABE. She is confident she will collaborate with other board members to develop and implement strategies that further WIABE's mission and positively impact bilingual students throughout the state. She believes that WIABE's focus to promote bilingual bicultural education is the most meaningful, effective, and efficient way of developing an appreciation of cultural differences and similarities and the capacity to function successfully in two cultures in a culturally pluralistic society and sponsoring workshops, conferences and meetings aimed at facilitating the dissemination of information on bilingual bicultural education.

Mildred has been part of the Wisconsin Association for Bilingual Education executive board for the last 25 years. She is currently the COA Youth Development Director. Mildred was born in Guatemala City and came to Milwaukee in 1982, and within a few months found herself wanting to be involved in bilingual education. She began her career at Allen-Field School. For 13 years, she was a leader in parent engagement, involved in bilingual, multicultural and dual language education, adult learning and ESL. During the following 16 years, Mildred was the after school and summer program club manager for Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee where she advocated and supported the education of English Language Learners and their families.  Mildred is excited to continue to support bilingual education through WIABE, as she has for the past 25 years. 

Kathy began her professional career as a bilingual second and third grade teacher in Milwaukee and loved every minute of these experiences. She received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a Master’s degree in reading. While working on her doctorate in Urban Education, she was the assistant project implementer of a dropout study of 5 cities in the U.S. (including Milwaukee). After finishing her education, she served as the bilingual coordinator at Alverno College and then became the co-director of the ESL/bilingual program at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, where she co-managed several federal grants that licensed more than 350 ESL/bilingual teachers in Wisconsin. Over the years, she has done consulting with many districts, colleges, and universities on assessment, bilingual education, and biliteracy. Her research interests include intervention and instruction with bilingual learners, development of biliteracy, and trilingual education. She has published 5 books in these areas.

Eduardo García was born in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas México. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Guadalajara. During his 8-year stint in the northern region of the state of Jalisco, he served as Field Inspector and Head Credit Director of Banrural, a governmental agency whose mission was to finance the primary agricultural and forestry production in compliance with the important task of lending and supporting low-income producers. During the market crash of 1987, he relocated his family to Milwaukee. He began his career as an educator, starting at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and eventually becoming a certified bilingual teacher. He obtained his master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from UW-Milwaukee, as well as acquired his licenses in Leadership and Program Director. With a career in Milwaukee Public schools that stretches more than 32 years, Mr. Garcia has served in various capacities within MPS including serving as a paraprofessional, fifth-grade teacher, Science teacher, Program Implementer, GED Instructor for Hayes after school program, and Assistant Principal. A scientist at heart, Mr. García began a Science Enrichment Club at Hayes Bilingual in 2000. Seeing gender disparities in participation and retention prompted the establishment of Científicas de Milwaukee working alongside his wife and two daughters. Additionally, Mr. García currently serves on the board of the Wisconsin Association for Bilingual Education as a lifetime member.