Episode #4: Championing Equitable Education with Cultural and Language Proficiency | Guest: Johanna López

Johanna López is a member of the Orange County Public School (OCPS) Board in Florida and the first Latina to attain such a prestigious role via landslide vote in 2018. It was the culmination of a strategic campaign fully managed by her former students coupled with an impeccable career as an educator and advocate for marginalized youth. Ms. López is fully aware that she has been tasked by the community she has served for over two decades to be the eyes, ears, and voice of students, parents, and educators, especially those who look like her and who experience the most disparities. She takes this responsibility very seriously in her continued work championing minority student empowerment with a special focus on English as a Second Language (ESL), supporting undocumented students, responding to their current needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and advocating for the provision of better treatment for teachers and non-instructional staff.