Vice-President

Sandra Mijares is a passionate bilingual educator with over 30 years of combined experience in education, business, and leadership — including more than a decade in Texas classrooms. Known for her dynamic approach to teaching and strong leadership skills, she has served as a Dual Language Lead Teacher, LPAC Chairperson, and Grade-Level Team Leader, earning recognition as Elementary Teacher of the Year at two different campuses.

With advanced degrees in Economics and Education (specializing in Mathematics), and certifications in bilingual education and gifted learning, Sandra brings a multidisciplinary lens to her work. Her teaching is rooted in creativity, cultural relevance, and high academic expectations, always centered on the diverse needs of her students.

Sandra’s commitment to equity and excellence in bilingual education drives her work at LAJAM, where she helps shape inclusive learning environments that celebrate language, identity, and student potential.

Treasurer

Claudia brings a powerful blend of leadership in both engineering and education to LAJAM Education Foundation. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering and began her career leading infrastructure projects before transitioning to education in 2011. Driven by a deep passion for equity and bilingual learning, she became a Bilingual Certified Educator in Texas.

Since then, Claudia has served in bilingual classrooms and progressed into school leadership roles. She earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University and has served as assistant principal and, since 2019, principal of Golden Rule Sunnyside — a campus that earned the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School distinction under her leadership.

Claudia is widely recognized for her commitment to culturally responsive instruction, inclusive school improvement, and community engagement. She believes in celebrating each student's success, fostering environments where learners feel proud, motivated, and prepared for their future.

Her operational expertise, instructional insight, and financial stewardship position her as a key leader in LAJAM’s mission to deliver accessible, research-based education for bilingual and neurodiverse learners.

Secretary

Brenda  is a passionate and dedicated bilingual educator committed to helping all students reach their full academic and personal potential. With a strong foundation in early literacy and math instruction, Brenda fosters a positive, inclusive classroom environment and integrates research-based strategies to support diverse learners.

A graduate of Texas Tech University (Summa Cum Laude) with a B.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies, Brenda holds certifications in Core Subjects EC–6, ESL, and the Science of Teaching Reading (STR). Her approach to teaching is grounded in student-centered instruction, data-driven planning, and social-emotional support.

Brenda brings to LAJAM a strong background in small group instruction, TEKS-aligned lesson development, and technology integration. Her belief in the transformative power of education and her hands-on experience with multilingual learners make her a valuable member of the LAJAM Education Foundation team.

Member at Large

Mary Nieves  brings to LAJAM over 15 years of multidisciplinary experience in psychology, inclusive education, and gender equity programming. Licensed in Psychology with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology, she has coordinated and led intervention programs across public education systems, nonprofit sectors, and governmental institutions in Spain and Latin America.

Her career spans specialized roles in student support, psychological evaluation, disability advocacy, and youth empowerment. She has designed and implemented gender-sensitive educational content, conducted psychosocial counseling, and led programs aimed at improving the quality of life for marginalized communities. As an active contributor to national and international women’s empowerment networks, Nieves has served as vice president of Spain’s Federation of Young Women and represented the Asturias youth movement in multiple councils and forums.

In addition to her background in mental health and social inclusion, Nieves is also a trained frontend developer and technology manager, adding a valuable digital literacy dimension to LAJAM's development of accessible learning tools.

Her deep commitment to educational equity and her unique cross-sector expertise position her as a strategic voice in LAJAM’s mission to build inclusive, research-based bilingual education.

José Landino is a strategic leader and educator with a Doctor of Law (JD) and a licensed attorney qualification in Latin America, with experience in the educational field in the United States and Italy. He brings a global perspective to program growth, partnerships, and communications. Skilled in marketing, strategic planning, and problem-solving, José connects vision with actionable solutions to expand the foundation’s reach and impact.

Holding advanced diplomas in Managerial Leadership and Neuro-Linguistic Programming for effective negotiations, José combines analytical thinking with creativity and leadership. At LAJAM, he drives the foundation’s strategic expansion and visibility, ensuring programs reach more children, educators, and communities while advancing the mission of inclusive, bilingual literacy education.