Delegate Assembly 2025-2026
THE NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION FOR BILINGUAL EDUCATION
Regional Delegates
Sonia Argueta is a dedicated third grade Bilingual Teacher at Laurel Park Elementary School in the Brentwood Union Free School District (BUFSD), where she has proudly served for more than twenty three years. Throughout her tenure, she has taught multiple grade levels and consistently supported English Language Learners through engaging, meaningful, and culturally responsive instruction.
Sonia’s commitment extends beyond the classroom. She has taught in Brentwood High School’s adult education program, helping adult learners build essential language and life skills. As a Community Plaza Liaison within BUFSD’s Family Engagement Program, she assists parents, families, and newly arrived students in navigating the school system, coordinating workshops, districtwide events, and connections to vital community resources.
Born and raised in Venezuela, Sonia is a native Spanish speaker who first earned an associate degree in business administration. Motivated by a passion for education, she later moved to the United States, earning a bachelor’s degree in childhood education from Five Towns College and a master’s degree in TESOL from St. John’s University.
Her teaching philosophy centers on empowerment, cultural appreciation, and holistic development. Sonia creates a vibrant classroom infused with Latin American culture—where students sing in Spanish, explore global traditions, and build confidence through activities such as role playing and skits. She finds the greatest joy in watching students apply their language skills in real life situations and grow into confident, proud bilingual individuals.
Deeply committed to her students and community, Sonia continually seeks ways to support families and nurture young learners. She believes education shapes both minds and hearts, and that early exposure to new languages and cultures fosters empathy, global awareness, and lifelong curiosity.
Dr. Jordan González is a Lead Resource Specialist at the New York State Education Department’s Long Island Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (L.I. RBERN) and a faculty member in the TESOL and Bilingual Education graduate programs at St. John’s University. In these roles, he provides regulatory guidance and professional learning on federal and state policies affecting Multilingual Learners and immigrant students and teaches courses in pedagogical linguistics and culture.
Dr. González serves on the New York State Seal of Biliteracy Taskforce and the NYSED Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures, contributing to the development of the Portrait of a Graduate framework. Previously, he was the Director of Language Acquisition for Yonkers Public Schools and began his career as an ENL and Spanish teacher in New York City Public Schools.
His research centers on trauma informed practices for refugee and immigrant students, and he has presented nationally and internationally. His scholarship appears in several peer reviewed journals and edited volumes.
Dr. Kate Menken is a Distinguished Professor of Linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Queens College of the City University of New York (CUNY). She serves as Co‑Chair of the Advocacy Committee and as a Delegate for the New York State Association for Bilingual Education (NYSABE).
Dr. Menken’s research focuses on language education policy, bilingual education, and the educational experiences of multilingual learners in the United States, particularly in New York City. She has authored numerous scholarly articles and books. Her most recent publication is Overcoming the Gentrification of Dual Language, Bilingual, and Immersion Education: Solution-Oriented Research and Stakeholder Resources for Real Integration (co‑edited with Garrett Delavan and Juan Freire, Multilingual Matters, 2024).
More information about her work can be found on her website katemenken.org and her Google Scholar profile.
Lisa Pineda is a passionate advocate for multilingual students and families, dedicated to creating innovative, student and family centered opportunities. For over a decade, she has specialized in strengthening family and community partnerships that support English Language Learners and multilingual education.
Lisa co designed transformative programs such as ELLtrepreneurs, ALL STAR ELLs, and Community Changemakers, all of which elevate students’ academic, social, and personal growth. For the past five years, she has led the New York City Delegation of the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PRHYLI), where students earn college credits, achieve the Seal of Biliteracy, sharpen public speaking skills, and advocate for legislative issues impacting Latino communities. She also co-developed Exploring Social Justice through the Arts, a course that blends civic engagement with creative expression.
In her role as Associate Director for the Office of Multilingual Learners, Lisa supports schools in launching and strengthening bilingual education programs, and provides professional learning for educators, parent leaders, and family engagement teams. She has developed accessible guides and resources for multilingual families and champions equitable access to high quality bilingual programs.
Her leadership includes coordinating major citywide and statewide events, such as the NYSABE Parent Institute, the Citywide Multilingual Family Conference at the Intrepid Museum, and the Equip.Learn.Launch Virtual Institute. She also helped establish the NYC Bilingual Education Community Fair as a signature component of the Annual Multilingual Family Conference.
A skilled communicator and visionary collaborator, Lisa brings creativity, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to preserving cultural heritage and expanding opportunities for multilingual learners. She continues to empower students, families, and communities to advocate for bilingual education and succeed in an increasingly diverse world.
Yolanda L. Rodríguez 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.
Judith Ravina has dedicated 18 years to bilingual education, beginning her career as a first-grade bilingual teacher for eight years before serving as a Dual Language Instructional Coach. She later earned a master’s in educational leadership from Fordham University, which led her into district level leadership. She currently serves as Director of Multilingual Programs for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns.
Mrs. Ravina is known for bridging theory and practice in bilingual education and for her strong advocacy for multilingual learners, educators, and families. She has presented on biliteracy reading trajectories at national and state conferences, including NCTE and NYSABE. Among her accomplishments, she led the expansion of the Dual Language program in the Mamaroneck School District from elementary to secondary levels, establishing one of Westchester County’s few model secondary programs.
Collaboration and equity are central to Mrs. Ravina’s leadership. She partners closely with educators and administrators, promotes culturally responsive practices, and works to ensure access, achievement, and meaningful engagement for all students and families.
Gloria Kimmich is an Instructional Bilingual Coach in the Syracuse City School District, where she previously taught kindergarten in the dual language program for seven years. Originally from the South Bronx, she grew up in a vibrant Hispanic community surrounded by multilingual families—an experience that shaped her deep commitment to celebrating cultural and linguistic diversity in education.
Gloria holds certifications in Early Childhood Education (birth–2), Childhood Education (grades 1–6), and English as a New Language (ENL). For the past seven years, she has served on the district’s Emergent Bilingual Language Team, contributing to the mission and vision guiding Syracuse’s dual language programming.
Supported by her husband and two children, Gloria remains dedicated to advancing dual language initiatives and strengthening programs that uplift teachers, students, and families. As a dual language delegate and Instructional Bilingual Coach, she advocates for bilingualism, biliteracy, and high academic achievement while serving as a role model for teachers of color. Her work centers on fostering identity, belonging, and empowerment within dual language communities.
Ilianatacha Rosa was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She holds degrees from SUNY Cortland and SUNY Brockport, a Bilingual Extension from SUNY Oneonta, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Building and District Leadership from Le Moyne College.
Ms. Rosa taught in Bilingual and Dual Language programs for eight years and served as an instructional coach before becoming Vice Principal at the Syracuse City School District’s only Dual Language School.
A proud product of Bilingual and ENL programs, she grew up in a family that valued culture, heritage, and language—experiences that shaped her passion for multilingual education. She is committed to advocating for bilingualism, biliteracy, and equitable learning environments where all students feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Through mentorship and community engagement, Ms. Rosa works to uplift multilingual learners and inspire educators to embrace the transformative power of language and culture.
Enid De Jesus López serves as the Director of Transition Systems for the Rochester City School District (RCSD). In her role within the Office of Student Equity and Placement, she oversees the Language Assessment Proficiency Center (LAPC) and provides critical support to students involved in the Juvenile Justice and foster care systems.
Enid began her career with RCSD in 2003 as a School Counselor. Her deep commitment to advocating for students and families inspired her to pursue a degree in School Administration, strengthening her capacity to lead equitable systems of support. When she joined the LAPC team in 2017, Enid focused on streamlining protocols and procedures, while also advancing bilingual programs and services for English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners.
In 2018, she played a key role in advocating for enhanced supports for Students with Interrupted or Inconsistent Formal Education (SIFE), leading to the establishment of the BRIDGES program through collaboration with RBERN and district leadership.
Enid is proud to serve as NYSABE’s Regional Delegate for the Rochester area, where she continues to foster collaboration among bilingual educators and champion equitable opportunities for multilingual learners.
María Petrella is a dedicated educational leader with more than 20 years of experience advocating for bilingual learners and students with disabilities. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, she has served in several key leadership roles, including Assistant Principal at Pinnacle School #35 and Director of Bilingual Education and World Languages, where she oversaw PreK–12 bilingual, ENL, and world language programs.
María’s career reflects her steadfast commitment to educational equity and access. She has designed and facilitated high quality professional development for bilingual and ENL educators, collaborated with community partners to strengthen school–family engagement, and ensured compliance with state and federal regulations supporting multilingual learners. Her foundation as a Bilingual Instructional Coach and Bilingual Special Education Teacher grounds her leadership in strong instructional practices and inclusive, student-centered approaches.
She holds dual master’s degrees in K–12 Leadership and Bilingual/Multicultural Education, along with New York State certifications in School District Leadership, School Building Leadership, Bilingual Extension, Special Education, and Childhood Education. María brings deep expertise, strategic leadership, and a passion for culturally and linguistically responsive education.
Guided by the belief that bilingualism and biculturalism are powerful assets, María continues to champion high-quality bilingual education that promotes academic achievement, equity, and the social-emotional development of English language learners across New York State.
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.
Dr. Maeva López Kassem is a Bilingual Education Coach for the Division of Multilingual Education in the Buffalo Public Schools District. Across her 39 year career, she has taught emergent bi/multilingual learners in general, special, and bilingual education settings in both Puerto Rico and New York State.
In her current role, Dr. López Kassem provides coaching and professional learning for new and veteran educators, focusing on current trends, instructional practices, and supports for multilingual learners. An active member of the NYSABE Advocacy Committee, she is committed to educating school communities about the value of high quality bilingual education and ensuring all students receive the protections and opportunities they deserve.
Her areas of interest include Dual Language program implementation and sustainability, integrated language and content curriculum development, early biliteracy, constructivist learning, culturally and linguistically relevant teaching, translanguaging, data driven instruction, and educational policy.
Delegates at Large
Dr. Elizabeth Falzone is a dedicated educator with deep expertise in language acquisition and literacy development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Education and TESOL, a Master of Science in Literacy, and a PhD in Leadership and Policy. She began her career teaching middle school Spanish before joining Niagara University as an Assistant Professor.
Dr. Falzone’s teaching, scholarship, and service center on advancing language and literacy for diverse learners. She is committed to experiential learning, ensuring her teacher candidates connect educational theory to real-world practice. She provides professional development in English as a New Language (ENL) to K–12 schools and presents her work at local, national, and international conferences. In addition, she serves the Niagara Falls community by teaching Adult ENL classes.
A strong advocate for students and families, Dr. Falzone believes that language and literacy are fundamental rights. Her expertise, leadership, and passion continue to positively impact learners, educators, and the broader community, making her a valued contributor to the field of education.
Justine Lucas is the proud principal of the largest bilingual and bilingual special education school in New York State. With more than 20 years of experience in New York City Public Schools—including roles as teacher, coach, assistant principal, and now principal—she is a steadfast advocate for educational equity, linguistic diversity, and the brilliance of multilingual learners.
A result-driven leader and dynamic speaker, Justine is committed to confronting and dismantling the biases that shape school systems. She firmly believes that true equity requires policies that recognize and measure the growth and impact of students and the educators who serve them.
Grounded in her own experiences with childhood housing instability, Justine is deeply dedicated to supporting unhoused students and families with empathy and action, ensuring every child feels seen, safe, and supported.
Honored to serve as a Delegate-at-Large for the New York State Association for Bilingual Education (NYSABE), Justine remains unwavering in her commitment to advancing bilingual education and ensuring every child’s voice is valued and heard.
Dr. Shirley M. Pincay, Ed.D., is an educational leader, researcher, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with more than 21 years of experience in education. She serves in the Sewanhaka Central High School District, where she has strengthened world language programs, coordinated the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish, Italian, and French, and led district initiatives that promote cultural awareness and multilingualism.
A certified School District Leader, School Building Leader, and Spanish Teacher, Dr. Pincay has also served as an adjunct professor for The University at Albany’s High School Program. She has been recognized as a Teacher of Excellence for her commitment to high-quality instruction and student achievement.
Dr. Pincay’s professional and scholarly work focuses on transformational leadership, educational equity, and culturally responsive practices. She earned her Doctor of Education in Transformational Leadership from Long Island University, where her research examined the implementation of the NYSED Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policy.
Parents at Large
Diveth García is a devoted mother, advocate, and community leader committed to creating better futures for multilingual families and children with disabilities. A proud parent of two children in bilingual programs and one in college, she brings firsthand experience and deep understanding of the challenges families face.
Hurricane María forced her family to leave Puerto Rico and rebuild their lives in Rochester—an experience that strengthened her determination to ensure families have strong, informed voices speaking on their behalf. As the mother of a child with autism, Diveth has navigated the special education system extensively and understands the complexities of evaluations, services, documentation, and language access. Her lived experiences fuel her passion for ensuring that every family knows their rights and feels empowered to use their voice.
Diveth serves on the Board of the Starbridge Parent Training and Information Center, where she advocates for families seeking support, services, and clear information. She also volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Association and is actively engaged in community service beyond the school setting. A graduate of COFI (Community Organizing and Family Issues) and trained Youth Mental Health First Aider, she has equipped herself with tools to guide and support families navigating educational and mental health systems.
She is seeking the NYSABE Regional Parent Delegate position because she believes bilingual families deserve representation from someone who has lived their struggles and successes. She has sat in IEP meetings, completed the forms, asked the difficult questions, and learned to speak up when systems fall short.
Diveth believes every child deserves access to a high-quality education and the services they need—not just in theory, but in practice. She is ready to bring the voices, needs, and hopes of her community to the state level and to advocate tirelessly for the rights and success of all multilingual learners and their families.
Dabralis Garmon is a mother of two bilingual children and a dedicated teacher of bilingual students. With 19 years of experience working closely with multilingual learners and their families, she is committed to ensuring students feel confident learning in their home language while receiving the same academic support as their peers. Her instructional approach integrates English and Spanish, hands-on learning, and culturally responsive materials that strengthen student engagement and understanding.
Dabralis maintains strong partnerships with parents, providing regular updates and collaborating with families to support their children’s progress. She believes parents play a vital role in a child’s educational success and prioritizes open communication to build trust and shared responsibility.
Beyond her classroom work, Dabralis served as a liaison for the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute, helping students develop advocacy skills and speak up on issues affecting the Latino community.
As a Parent-at-Large Delegate, she is committed to using her classroom experience, community advocacy, and collaborative mindset to support bilingual families across the region. She brings dedication, innovation, and a genuine desire to uplift multilingual learners and their families.
Language Delegates
Dr. Miriam Eisenstein Ebsworth, Ph.D., serves as the Hebrew Language Delegate for NYSABE. A native Yiddish speaker dominant in English, she is also bilingual in Spanish and Hebrew—both heritage languages—and is currently studying Mandarin Chinese. Born in Brooklyn, she comes from a richly multicultural family with roots in Argentina, Puerto Rico, Panama, Canada, and Wales.
Dr. Ebsworth began her career in Brooklyn as a licensed TESOL and Bilingual (Spanish/English) Early Childhood Teacher working with Emergent Multilingual Learners. She later taught English learners and students at risk at Rutgers University–Newark before joining New York University, where she has educated language teachers since 1979.
A highly decorated educator, Dr. Ebsworth is the recipient of numerous awards, including the NYSABE Gladys Correa Memorial Award, NYSABE Bilingual Teacher of the Year, the AERA Bilingual Education Research Lifetime Achievement Award, the NABE Lifelong Bilingual Educator Award, the NYU Steinhardt Teaching Excellence Award, and the NYSTESOL Outstanding Teacher Award. She co-developed the online course Action Through Words: Learning English While Learning About the United Nations and is co-editor (with Dr. Theresa Austin) of the forthcoming volume Towards Building Antiracist Communities: A Focus on Intersectionalities (Multilingual Matters).
Dr. Ebsworth is the Academic Director and co founder of NYU’s English program for families of international students, co-chair of the MLL Think Tank, and organizer of the annual Research and Evaluation Institutes at NABE. She also serves on editorial boards for several journals, including The Bilingual Research Journal, The Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, HOW Journal (Colombia), and the NYS TESOL Journal advisory board.
Her research interests include technology in second language pedagogy, academic writing, heritage language preservation, language variation, and intercultural pragmatics. She has consulted for the United Nations on English-learning initiatives aligned with global peace and health efforts and is currently exploring the impact of AI on bilingual education.
Dr. Ebsworth’s media appearances include the film The Three R’s, the television show Public Voice Salon, and NABE TV.
Sandra McKenney was born and raised in Mexico City, where she lived until age 27. In 1998, she relocated to Schenectady, NY, after being recruited by GE Power Systems to work as a computer engineer and project leader on a major Y2K initiative. After eight years in engineering, Sandra transitioned to education, earning her M.S. in Education from the College of Saint Rose.
Sandra and her family later moved to Zurich, Switzerland, where she spent four years teaching in multilingual schools and traveling extensively throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia—experiences that enriched her global perspective and instructional approach. Upon returning to the United States, she taught in the bilingual program at Post Road Elementary School in White Plains, NY, and later gained experience across urban, suburban, and rural schools, teaching students from kindergarten through sixth grade.
She completed her Bilingual Education Extension at CUNY Queens in 2023 and currently serves as a Bilingual Instructional Coach in the Syracuse City School District, supporting Seymour Dual Language Academy and STEM @ Blodgett Middle School.
Dominika McPartland serves as the Multilingual Learners (MLL) Services Administrator for the Citywide Transfer School District in New York City. In this role, she provides instructional and compliance support districtwide, while strongly advocating for—and significantly expanding—the Seal of Biliteracy program.
She is also actively involved in TESOL teacher preparation at Hunter College and New York University (NYU), where she works as an adjunct lecturer and field mentor. As a researcher, Dominika focuses on integrating computational thinking and digital literacy into teacher education programs.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Dominika volunteers as a citywide Polish Language Advisor, helping students earn the Seal of Biliteracy in Polish. She is a strong advocate for increasing access to this recognition for Polish heritage language learners and promoting its acceptance across higher education institutions in New York State.
Dominika holds a Master’s degree in English Philology from Poland, a Master’s degree in French from Hunter College, and a master’s degree in educational administration from Hunter College. A lifelong multilingual learner, she is deeply committed to educational equity and to championing policies that support both multilingual students and culturally diverse teacher candidates.
Marina Vinitskaya has served as a Resource Specialist for the NYS RBERN at New York University since 2020. In this role, she provides training for ENL, Bilingual, World Language, and content-area teachers, leads the Russian World Language Professional Learning Series, and supports Russian Dual Language programs. She also assists teachers and families in navigating NYC DOE and NYSED programs for multilingual learners. Marina is a frequent guest on the Russian Television Network and Davidson Radio, where she discusses public education and DOE initiatives for immigrant students.
With more than 25 years of experience in the NYC Department of Education, Marina has worked as an ESL teacher, Regional Instructional Support Specialist (RIS), and high school principal. As an RIS, she oversaw compliance and instructional programs for English Language Learners while supporting superintendents and schools with professional development and instructional quality.
As the founding principal of a high school, her leadership produced significant gains for ELLs—achievements highlighted in Stanford University research (2015, 2016) and Columbia University Press (2018). Her school’s comprehensive language development model integrated content, analytical practices, assessment strategies, and social-emotional support for students and families.
Marina has also coached new assistant principals and principals through the NYC DOE Leadership Program and the Wallace Foundation. She was recognized as a noteworthy educator by State Senator Kevin S. Parker in 2007, 2008, 2015, 2016, and 2017. Marina is a regular presenter at NYSABE and NABE conferences, where she shares her expertise with educators statewide and nationally.
Dr. Nancy King Wang has dedicated more than 40 years to serving multilingual learners and advancing bilingual education. She spent a decade as a Resource Specialist for the NYS Language RBERN at New York University and over 30 years with the New York City Department of Education, where she worked as an ESL teacher, Chinese language teacher, bilingual guidance counselor, and Assistant Principal of Administration. For 16 of those years, she oversaw the Guidance Department and Pupil Personnel Services in a New York City high school. She also taught Developmental Psychology for the College Now Program at LaGuardia Community College.
Dr. King Wang holds master’s degrees in Bilingual Education/ESL Instruction from City College and in Applied Psychology and School Counseling from New York University. She earned her Doctorate from Walden University and completed a Professional Diploma in School Administration and Supervision at St. John’s University, along with Principal and District Administrator licenses.
A lifelong champion of ESL and bilingual education, Dr. King Wang proudly notes that her three children—educated in New York City public schools with the support of bilingual and ESL programs—have all become highly successful professionals and leaders in their fields.