Libia S. Gil
Senior Advisor, National High School Center

Libia S. Gil joined the American Institutes for Research to continue her work as the former Chief Academic Officer for New American Schools. In this capacity Dr. Gil provides senior counsel on leadership development initiatives and assists states and districts in developing strategies for improving student achievement by bridging research evidence with practice evidence. Dr. Gil is currently the lead consultant for the High School Renewal efforts on behalf of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the San Diego Unified School District. Dr. Gil was Superintendent of the Chula Vista Elementary School District for over nine years. In addition to multiple awards and honors, Dr. Gil received the 2002 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education for her outstanding leadership as Chula Vista Superintendent. The McGraw Prize is awarded annually to individuals who demonstrate exceptional contribution to the improvement of education systems. Additionally, Dr. Gil has received the Leadership Vision Award by the California Association of Bilingual Education in 2003. Dr. Gil has a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis on bilingual and multicultural education from the University of Washington.

Ana Díaz-Booz
Principal, School of International Business (2008 California Distinguished High School )

Ana Díaz-Booz is the principal of the School of International Business (SIB) at the Kearny High Educational Complex in San Diego, California. Together with her instructional leadership team, teachers, and students, Ms. Díaz-Booz has helped SIB earn distinction in the areas of Title I achievement and "Fast-Track" junior college dual enrollment while posting a bronze medal in U.S. News and World Report's annual list of America's top high schools. In her school's short five-year history, SIB students have out-performed area high school students on statewide assessments in all English language learner (ELL) sub-groups and elevated the school's academic performance index each year.

As a first generation, bilingual student from a Spanish-speaking household, Ms. Díaz-Booz possesses a unique understanding of the struggles of ELL students in the nation's public schools and the importance of rigor and high expectations. She earned a BS in mathematics and a teaching credential from the University of California, San Diego. And after serving as a math teacher in the San Diego Unified School District, Ms. Díaz-Booz earned her master's degree and administrative services credential from the University of San Diego.