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Presenter Bios from “Effectively Educating English Language Learners at the High School Level: What Research and Practice Tell Us”
May 14, 2009
Presenters:
Ana Díaz-Booz
Principal, School of International Business (San Diego, CA)
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.
Neal Finkelstein
Senior Research Scientist, WestEd
As a Senior Research Scientist at WestEd, Neal Finkelstein develops research and evaluation designs that study the impact of program implementation in K–12 public schools. He ensures that evaluation designs feature high standards of evidence, and oversees the implementation of randomized field trials in education settings, including site recruitment and data collection. Prior to WestEd, Dr. Finkelstein worked on large-scale program evaluations and policy analyses encompassing K–12 and higher education, and the bridge between them. His areas of expertise include K–12 school finance, academic preparation programs for high school youth, school-to-work, and early childhood education.
Dr. Finkelstein served as Director of Educational Outreach Research and Evaluation for the University of California Office of the President. There he implemented research and evaluation designs that studied the effectiveness of K–12 student and school academic programs initiated by the University of California on 10 campuses throughout the state. These programs emphasized the connections between K–12 education and postsecondary education opportunities for students. He served as Senior Program Officer for the National Research Council and, as such, supported the Committee on Education Finance in the investigation of equity, adequacy, and productivity considerations in the financing of American K–12 public education. Dr. Finkelstein also served as Assistant Director of Policy Analysis for California Education and Research Associate at the National Center for Research in Vocational Education. Dr. Finkelstein received a BA in economics and psychology from Swarthmore College and a MPP, MA, and Ph.D. in education policy and management from the University of California, Berkeley.
Libia S. Gil
Senior Research Fellow, American Institutes for Research
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. Her focus on multiple strategies to address student achievement gaps includes small schools creation and support for small learning communities in multiple projects across the country.
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. Dr. Gil began her teaching career in the Los Angeles Unified School District and has taught in various programs, including English as a Second Language, Bilingual Education and Gifted and Talented programs. As a teacher, she and her colleagues created a successful K-12 alternative school and numerous alternative classroom programs. She has held a variety of administrative positions including school principal and Area Administrator, supervising K-12 principals, and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Gil has a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis on bilingual and multicultural education from the University of Washington.
Facilitator:
Becky Powell
Director of Outreach, National High School Center
Becky Powell is a Senior Communications and Outreach Specialist at the American Institutes for Research (AIR). In this capacity, Ms. Powell works with educators, researchers, and families to identify research-based practices and strategies. She is experienced in managing strategic outreach campaigns, including overseeing constituency relations, designing and managing Web sites, and coordinating and presenting at national education conferences. At AIR, she serves as the Director of Outreach for the National High School Center, as well as leads communications and external outreach initiatives for the National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI). In addition, she serves as the Director of Communications for the Scientific Evidence in Education (SEE) Forum series.
From 2003-2007, Ms. Powell managed the day-to-day outreach and communications efforts for the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC), an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences to provide evidence of effectiveness of educational interventions to educators, policymakers, researchers, and the public. Prior to joining AIR, Ms. Powell was the Director of Outreach for New American Schools. In this role, Ms. Powell worked with educators to identify solutions to increase student learning, led the organization's strategic plan for constituency outreach, coordinated and directed the organization's participation in national education conferences and comprehensive school reform design fairs, and managed overall outreach activities. She received her master's degree in Policy, Planning, and Administration from the School of Education at Boston University.
