Board of Directors 2026 – 2027
THE NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION FOR BILINGUAL EDUCATION
Leadership Guiding Our Vision
Dr. Eliezer Hernández is a servant leader whose work is grounded in faith, justice, and the empowerment of historically marginalized communities. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in the South Bronx, he has dedicated his career to creating spaces where Black and Brown communities thrive. Guided by his commitment to God and community, he views leadership as a calling—one anchored in empathy, service, and an unwavering pursuit of equity.
Dr. Hernández began his professional journey as a Spanish teacher in the Auburn Enlarged City School District and went on to serve as a school board member for 15 years. His leadership path includes roles as Administrative Intern, Vice Principal, and Principal, and he notably served as the founding principal of a bilingual school in the Syracuse City School District.
His academic achievements include a bachelor’s degree in music, a master’s in education, and a doctorate in Executive Leadership. With more than 25 years of experience in education and community advocacy, he has served in a wide range of roles—from classroom teacher to district leader—consistently championing social justice and educational equity. His mission centers on equipping and uplifting leaders who are committed to transformative change.
Beyond his work in education, Dr. Hernández is an active civic leader. He serves as President of the Auburn Cayuga County NAACP, sits on the boards of the National Math Foundation and AADUNA, Inc., and previously served as President of the Auburn Enlarged City School District Board of Education. He is also President of the New York State Association for Bilingual Education (NYSABE) and a member of the Governor’s Central New York Hate & Bias Prevention Unit Regional Council.
As Founder and CEO of Authentic LeaderShift, LLC, Dr. Hernández brings together his educational expertise and faith-driven leadership to inspire personal and organizational transformation. A certified and licensed Maxwell Leadership Team Member, Facilitator, Speaker, Coach, Trainer, and DISC Behavioral Consultant, he provides tools and strategies that empower leaders to act with authenticity, intentionality, and purpose across nonprofit, educational, and civic sectors.
At the core of Dr. Hernández’s life is his devotion to faith, family, and service. Whether in the classroom, the boardroom, or the community, he remains committed to his calling: to lead with love, serve with humility, and inspire others to do the same.
Yolanda L. Rodriguez Delgado was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and raised in the rural town of Maunabo. At age 15, her family relocated to Humacao, where they continue to reside. In 1997. she moved to New York after
completing her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Puerto Rico, Humacao Campus. She later earned a master’s degree in education with a Bilingual Extension from Hunter
College (CUNY), and in August 2022, she completed her School and District Leadership Certificate at Manhattanville University.
Yolanda is an experienced educator with a deep passion for teaching and bilingual education. Since 1997, she has taught at the elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and graduate levels. She has served as an adjunct professor at Hunter College’s School of Education and has taught courses at Mercy University and Manhattanville University.
Yolanda has also presented at numerous local and state conferences. In 2014, she co founded the BxArts Factory and began serving as its Executive Director. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to making art accessible to all Bronx residents by supporting local artists and creative initiatives that foster social change.
Yolanda joined the White Plains City School District in 2008 and has served the school community in a variety of roles. Her experience includes teaching kindergarten and second grade and supporting educators as a Dual Language Instructional Coach. In October 2022, she was appointed Director of World Languages and Multilingual Learner Programs (K-12) for White Plains, a role she proudly holds today.
James Nieves Bermúdez grew up in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, and discovered his passion for teaching while still in high school. After graduating in 1996, he attended the University of Puerto Rico’s School of Education, majoring in Spanish. During his junior year, he participated in the prestigious Cordova Internship in Washington, D.C., working in the Office of the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico and covering congressional hearings on education. He returned to Puerto Rico to complete his degree, earning the Medal of Excellence in Student Teaching before graduating in May 2002.
Shortly after, James interviewed with the Syracuse City School District and began his teaching career at George W. Fowler High School (now PLSA at Fowler). He taught all levels of Spanish, including Spanish for Spanish Speakers and Distance Learning courses. In 2009, he earned a master’s degree in Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture from Syracuse University. Throughout his teaching career, he served in numerous leadership roles, including department chair, building union representative, secretary of the Syracuse Teachers Association, and Coordinator of the Twilight Academy. He also served on the New York State Commissioner of Education’s Teacher Advisory Council. In 2013, James received the Educator of the Year Award from Nosotros Radio in Syracuse, NY.
James went on to complete a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Leadership at SUNY Oswego. In 2014, he became Vice Principal of Westside Academy at Blodgett (now STEM at Blodgett), and in July 2018, he was appointed Principal of Seymour Dual Language Academy, where he continues to serve.
Mr. Nieves was President of the New York State Association for Bilingual Education (NYSABE) in 2023 and remains an active member of the NYSABE Executive Board.
Dr. Shirley J. Vargas brings extensive leadership experience to NYSABE as a former Delegate-at-Large and current member of the Board of Directors, where she is now serving her second term as Secretary. She is an educator, community leader, and proud wife and mother of four. She has dedicated over 20 years of her career to serving multilingual students and has held various roles in the learning community.
As Chairperson of the Department of World Languages at Westbury High School, she has been instrumental in delivering a Bilingual Program that is embedded in the school culture and established the SIFE and Home Language Arts program for English Language Learners to build strong literacy skills which transcends into other disciplines.
Her recent advocacy efforts include the development of extracurricular programs designed to empower Spanish-dominant students by enhancing their communication and public-speaking skills in their native language. Additionally, she serves as the NYS Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator for her district and as a Grant Advisor for the Nassau Community College Science and Technology Entry Program (NCC-STEP).
She proudly serves as a dedicated advocate for bilingual and multilingual education at both the secondary and higher education levels. As an extension to public school education, she serves as a member of the Executive Board for The Dream Foundation, a non-profit committed to providing scholarships and access to higher education or career pathways to immigrant students. Ms. Vargas’ extensive experience encompasses professional development and instructional practices in second language study, English Language Learners, bilingual education, and college-level language and media studies.
Dr. Vargas firmly believes that advocating for all language learners offers boundless opportunities to transform education. She is committed to being a voice for the needs of students, educators, and communities alike.
Ana Rebeca Castillo Matos is a Multilingual Learners Instructional Coach K-5th grade, bilingual teacher, and a graduate of Hunter College (CUNY) Master’s in Education program. She is certified in Childhood Education (1st-6th) with a bilingual extension (K-12th) and a bilingual person since 1996. It is her belief that being bilingual is an asset because language is culture, and it allows us to broaden our worldview. As an educator, she believes education is the tool that will help our students break barriers and cycles of disadvantage to become the leaders our future will need. In order to achieve this, she draws inspiration from Paulo Freire’s pedagogy in which students aren’t “tabula rasa”, but full of knowledge. This belief in making relevant connections between what students know and what they will learn is one of her core educational values.
Lyda Ragonese is an educational leader and a passionate advocate for multilingual and multicultural education. She currently serves as the Supervising Director for the Department of English as a New Language, World Languages, and Bilingual Education in the Syracuse City School District. A proud Hmong-American from Laos and a fluent Hmong speaker, Lyda brings a powerful cultural and linguistic perspective to her leadership.
Lyda began her career in 1993 as an ENL teacher at Franklin Elementary and later at Frazer K–8 School. Since then, she has remained deeply committed to advancing equity and academic excellence for multilingual learners. She holds a TESOL certification from Le Moyne College, a master’s degree in Reading Education, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies (C.A.S.) in Educational Leadership from Syracuse University.
In her current role, Lyda has played a pivotal part in expanding and strengthening bilingual education programs districtwide. She has led the development of dual language pathways, designed culturally responsive curricula, and was instrumental in establishing the district’s New York State Seal of Biliteracy program. Her efforts have created opportunities for K–12 multilingual learners to continue studying and celebrating their native languages. She is also actively working to enhance the district’s Native American education program and to support multilingual learners’ access to—and success in—Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
A former treasurer of the Syracuse Teachers Association, Lyda has been an advocate for educators as well as students, contributing to policy development and championing professional excellence. Her career is defined by an unwavering commitment to linguistic diversity, educational equity, and the empowerment of every learner.
Janet Correa Longo is the Assistant Superintendent of Multilingual
Education for the Buffalo Public Schools, where she leads districtwide initiatives to strengthen multilingual programming, expand dual language opportunities, and promote equitable access for all learners. She has advanced professional development, culturally responsive practices, and family engagement throughout the district.
Previously, Janet served as Assistant Principal at the Dr. Martin Luther King Multicultural Institute, where she supported instructional improvement, inclusive practices, and collaborative school culture, contributing to gains in student achievement and staff development.
With more than 20 years of experience, Janet began her career teaching Spanish before transitioning into special education. A proud graduate of McKinley High School, she holds degrees in Exceptional Education, Curriculum and Instruction, and Educational Administration from Buffalo State University, Medaille College, and the University at Buffalo. She is also a graduate of the LIFTS leadership program.
A visionary leader and strong advocate for social justice and bilingual education, Janet is committed to dismantling systemic barriers and uplifting multilingual learners and their families. As a proud Latina, she serves as a role model for young women and emerging educational leaders.