About Us - Ensemble Learning

The Ensemble Learning Team

At Ensemble Learning, we’re educators, champions for equity, and change managers working in partnership with school communities to leverage all the resources and relationships necessary to make schools equitable for all learners.

At the heart of our brand are three aims that guide how we partner with schools:

We’re a trusted steward, providing a clear, actionable roadmap that instructs, influences, and inspires everyone in our communities to work together to build stronger schools that achieve stellar results for every student.

Our mission is to strengthen educational environments so that multilingual learners have access to equitable opportunities to learn, contribute, and thrive.

Bio

Dr. Daniel Velasco (he/him/el) is President and CEO and leads Ensemble Learning’s strategic vision to improve school quality and remove barriers for multilingual learners. Daniel has an EdD in Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Education from Johns Hopkins University and an EdM in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University Previously, Daniel served as the President of Latinos for Education where he scaled the organization from an annual budget of $250K and 3 employees to $9M and 30+ employees during his six year tenure. He also served as an Executive Director and later Regional Director for the Center for Social Organization of Schools at Johns Hopkins University as well as Operations Director for Teach For America. Daniel specializes in executive leadership in education, change management, and educator development.

Daniel is a Pahara Institute Fellow, an Education Leaders of Color Member, and a Leadership Jacksonville Fellow. He received a commendation for national service from NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2016 and has lived in Jacksonville, Florida with his husband since 2018.

Bio

Dr. Rick Rodriguez focuses on expanding Ensemble Learning’s reach, growth, and sustainability by cultivating necessary partners and funders to make education equitable for all multilingual learners.

He most recently served as the Managing Director of Programs & Alumni at Latinos for Education, where he led national program strategy, design, and implementation of efforts focused on expanding learning opportunities and leadership capacity for Latinos for Education’s network nationwide. Rick has also previously led efforts with Houston ISD, the largest district in Texas, where he launched multiple district-wide initiatives focused on building a “Grow Your Own” approach to diversifying teacher pipelines and ensuring the workforce best reflects students being served.

As a first-generation Mexicano Americano and multilingual learner, Rick acknowledges the challenges that our students face. Barriers to success have further fueled his mission to ensure that the work is laser-focused on removing such education barriers for others.

Rick is a graduate of United Way’s Project BluePrint, Leadership ISD’s Civic Voices Fellowship, and Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Emerging Leaders Institute, and the NM Changemakers Fellowship. He holds a B.A. in Sociology from Texas A&M University – San Antonio, an M.S. in Human Resource Development, and an Ed. D in Professional Leadership K-12 from the University of Houston. The mountains are calling and Rick spends much time recentering in the outdoors!

Bio

Dr. Leigh Mingle (she/her) is the Vice President of Research and Operations for Ensemble Learning. In this role, she leads the organization’s internal operations including HR, IT, and Finance as well as leading Ensemble Learning’s research, data analysis, and program evaluations.

As part of the founding team of Ensemble Learning, she is the primary author of Ensemble Learning’s two federal grants, Learning While Leading, and the Texas Dual Language Project – both SEED and NPD grants funded by the United States Department of Education. Dr. Mingle specializes in program evaluation, motivation, socio-emotional learning, and mathematics education. She previously served as a research specialist for a non-profit blended learning mathematics curriculum development company as well as a research assistant for Houston ISD. Her dedicated approach is centered in the dedicated mission in ensuring equity for multilingual learners nationwide

Dr. Mingle currently serves on the Renaissance Learning advisory boards for Mathematics and Biliteracy. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on development and cognition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Mingle lives in Austin, TX with her partner and two dogs. She has a passion for hiking and is over half way to her goal of hiking all 63 U.S. National Parks.

Bio

Amanda Volz is the Operations Manager at Ensemble Learning, where she manages the organization’s internal functions to ensure staff have the tools, resources, and support they need to work with our partners. With 15+ years of experience, Amanda specializes in maximizing functionality within smaller organizations through thoughtful and scalable process development and structure.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Recreation from The Pennsylvania State University with a focus on program marketing and management. Amanda has worked in the travel industry, social community management, event production, R&D for scaled manufacturing, and mathematics curriculum development.

Outside of work, Amanda enjoys yoga, pop culture, arts & crafts, and is a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. She brings her enthusiasm and curiosity to work with her each day, which feeds her connection to Ensemble Learning’s mission and goals as an organization.

Bio

Katherine Hamilton (she/her) is the Vice President of Programs at Ensemble Learning, where she oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of all programmatic activities. With nearly 15 years of experience in the K-12 education space, Katherine specializes in effective teaching and learning, instructional leadership, overarching strategy to ensure equity for all student groups. Katherine holds a Master’s degree in education with an emphasis in math education from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.

Katherine’s career has centered around supporting leaders and teachers to create inclusive and equitable environments for learning for all students. Prior to working at Ensemble Learning, Katherine was a secondary mathematics teacher, an instructional coach, and a Director of Curriculum and Instruction at a public school network in Los Angeles. At Ensemble, she has led the implementation of two successful Department of Education grants focusing on leadership for multilingual learner equity and implementation of high quality dual language programming.

Outside of work, Katherine spends most of her time with her two young sons and husband, exploring parks and museums in Los Angeles, and building community with other families. Katherine serves as the chair of a nonprofit charter management organization and donates time to mentor young families as they navigate disability diagnoses and support services.

Bio

Dr. Kettisha Jones (she/her) serves as a Managing Director, Program Implementation at Ensemble Learning. She leads a statewide project, the Texas Dual Language Project, which is designed to support cohorts of dual language campuses across partner districts. Previously, Dr. Jones led Ensemble Learning’s leadership coaching division, which focused on improving educational experiences for emergent bilingual students.

Dr. Jones credits Teach for America (TFA) for her commitment to education. She served as a corps member and began her career as an educator in the Houston Independent School District. Dr. Jones has supported campus leaders, teachers, students and families as an assistant superintendent in Pflugerville ISD, instructional leadership director in Tulsa Public Schools, and principal, campus administrator, and classroom teacher in Houston ISD.

Dr. Jones holds an undergraduate degree in English from Spelman College (BA) and graduate degrees in educational leadership from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Ed.D) and the University of Houston (M.Ed). She also completed a superintendent certification program through Sam Houston State University. Dr. Jones specializes in leadership, planning and organization, professional development, and project management.

Outside of her role as an Ensemble Learning team member, Dr. Jones is the proud mother of a college student and enjoys traveling to spend time with family and friends. She sits on the national board of directors for Learning Ally as she furthers her passion to support leadership, teaching and learning.

Bio

Sarah Molfese is a Multilingual Learner Specialist supporting educators and leaders with implementing multilingual learner programming in their context. With over 20 years of experience in education, Sarah specializes in curricular development, coaching, and crafting research-based professional development. A former National Board Certified teacher, Sarah holds a Masters in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from Niagara University.

Sarah’s career is marked by her passion for crafting educational spaces that empower students to develop identities as learners and agency over their learning. Her previous roles include serving as an Instructional Coach and Academic Program Manager at Aspire Public Schools where she supported teachers and leaders to develop science programming and multilingual learner supports.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys baking, road trips, and playing her guitar. Her passion for promoting equity and asset-based approaches to learning drives her work at Ensemble Learning.

Bio

Aracely Suarez is a seasoned Multilingual Specialist at Ensemble Learning, with a focus on dual language program implementation, instructional coaching, language acquisition, and promoting cultural competence. Her expertise lies in supporting schools to implement best practices for emergent bilinguals, guiding teachers in effective instructional strategies, and fostering inclusive learning environments that embrace diversity and equity.

Aracely’s professional journey includes roles as Director of Academic Programs and Instructional Fidelity at Del Valle ISD, as well as Principal, Assistant Principal, Dual Language Instructional Coach, and Dual Language Teacher at Pflugerville ISD and the American Cooperative School in La Paz, Bolivia. Notably, she led a turnaround of a low-performing school, propelling it to rank 7th out of 19 in the district and earning four distinctions.

She holds a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Lamar University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Southwestern Adventist University. Aracely is certified as a Principal, Elementary Bilingual School Teacher, and in the Texas Teacher and Principal Evaluation and Support Systems.

Originally from Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Aracely now lives in the Houston area, where she enjoys yoga, reading, traveling, and baking. Her passion lies in dismantling barriers for multilingual learners, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities needed to succeed. Aracely is committed to Ensemble Learning’s mission of creating inclusive and equitable educational environments.

Bio

Gerri Swift is a Multilingual Learner Instructional Coach at Ensemble Learning, where she partners with school sites to transform outcomes for multilingual learners. With over 8 years of experience in English-language education, Gerri has worked in a wide variety of contexts, including abroad, in elementary and secondary schools, and with adult learners. Gerri leverages her diverse range of experiences in her work: She specializes in programmatic development, systems implementation, teacher training, and instructional coaching. She holds a Master’s degree in TESOL from Middlebury Institute of International Studies, with a specialization in language program administration.

Gerri’s career is marked by her dedication to creating school-wide systems that support multilingual learners. During her time as an ELD Coordinator, Gerri successfully launched a comprehensive ELD program that led to significant gains in students’ English language proficiency.

Originally from New Jersey, Gerri now resides in the East Bay of California. Outside of work, Gerri enjoys creating art, spending time outdoors, and reading. Her passion for supporting teachers in implementing sustainable, researched-backed teaching practice drives her commitment to making a positive impact through her role at Ensemble Learning.

Bio

Eileen Salinas is an experienced Multilingual Learner Specialist with over 16 years of experience in bilingual education. She holds a master’s degree in special education from Concordia University, TX, providing her with expertise in supporting culturally and linguistically diverse students, particularly in dual language settings. Eileen’s career includes roles such as district multilingual specialist for Austin ISD, district language arts specialist, and master dual language educator. Fluent in both Spanish and English, she excels in developing curricula and instructional strategies that meet the diverse linguistic needs of students.

Eileen has successfully crafted and implemented bilingual programs that emphasize academic excellence and cultural appreciation. She utilizes evidence-based practices to enhance student engagement and linguistic proficiency. Beyond her roles in education, Eileen is a sought-after speaker and consultant at national conferences, where her insights are valued by educators, policymakers, and researchers committed to advancing dual-language education and fostering inclusive, multilingual learning environments.

As a proud Chicana and former Emergent Bilingual student, Eileen is deeply committed to equity and lifelong learning. She continuously explores new methodologies and technologies to improve language education for multilingual learners. Eileen’s mission is to create transformative learning experiences that celebrate linguistic diversity and highlight the brilliance of multilingual learners, making a lasting impact on schools, organizations, and communities.

Bio

With over 20 years of experience, Mr. Ibarra has dedicated his career to the field of bilingual education. In various roles, he has played a pivotal part in the planning and initial implementation of Dual Language programs across two districts in the Rio Grande Valley. Mr. Ibarra has designed and facilitated professional development sessions for educators, focusing on native language instruction as a foundation for biliteracy and the advancement of multilingualism.

His extensive professional background includes positions as an instructional assistant for a newcomer program, middle school and elementary teacher, bilingual and ESL teacher strategist, specialist, and bilingual program director. These diverse experiences equip him with valuable insights that he aims to contribute to Ensemble Learning and its partners to enhance the execution of Dual Language education. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction, emphasizing bilingual education.

Mr. Ibarra has also served the Rio Grande Valley Texas Association for Bilingual Education (RGV-TABE) as both Vice President and President, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to the bilingual community in the region.

As a first-generation immigrant from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Mr. Ibarra advocates for the development of biliteracy and social justice. He resides in Mission, Texas, with his immediate family, surrounded by a supportive community of chosen family.

Bio

Simmons is an education consultant and advises organizations on creating and scaling effective programs to catalyze public K-12 education reform. Prior to launching her consulting work, Simmons co-founded and served as the CEO of Charter Board Partners (CBP), a national nonprofit dedicated to improving charter school board governance in ways that sustain effective schools. She is a Pahara-Aspen Fellow and holds a master’s in School Leadership from the Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts from Davidson College.

Bio

Pablo is the Vice President of Program Innovation at IDEA Public Schools and leads individualized learning across all 61 schools, impacting over 33,000 students. Before joining IDEA, Pablo worked in the Weslaco Independent School District for ten years as a teacher, curriculum facilitator, and principal. Pablo started his career with Teach for America in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. He has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Los Angeles and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Texas Pan American.

Bio

Beth is a former middle school educator and administrator. She is a 19-year member of the Board of Education of the San Carlos School District Board of Trustees. She was a founder of the San Carlos Charter Learning Center and the director of the Charter School Division for the state of California. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Oklahoma Baptist University and her master’s degree from the University of Southern California.

Bio

Hector is the Executive Director of Reading Partners. Considered a key advisor and subject matter expert on account management, brand visibility, and nonprofit leadership, Hector has established himself as a true bridge-builder in the movement for educational equity. As a fervent pacesetter for mission-driven organizations, his professional efforts have landed him extensive experience in partners alongside school eco-systems to impact change. He has over a decade of experience developing, managing, and implementing programs targeted at the advancement of underserved groups. Hector received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Oakland, California’s Holy Names University.

Bio

Maria Heredia’s work focuses on creating, expanding and supporting innovative and effective educational opportunities for K-12 and college students. She has been actively involved with charter schools and education nonprofits in California for over twenty years. Maria works at High Tech High in the dual role of Chief Operations Officer and General Counsel. She leads a dedicated operations team and supports the HTH school leadership teams in a variety of areas, including establishing and growing operational systems, strategic planning, board engagement, authorizer and stakeholder relations, and the development of policies and practices reflective HTH culture and design principles. Maria previously served as Senior Vice President of Legal Advocacy and General Counsel to the California Charter Schools Association. At CCSA, Maria expanded advocacy efforts on behalf of California charter schools, while leading an action that significantly increased the facilities available to children attending charter schools in Los Angeles.

Bio

Constanza Lafuente works with the Carnegie Corporation’s education program, where she supports the Leadership and Teaching to Advance Learning portfolio. Lafuente has extensive experience working in elementary and early childhood education. Prior to joining the Corporation, she worked at Bank Street College of Education, where she coached and trained teachers and school leaders implementing New York City’s Pre-K for All. At Bank Street, she also coached and supervised a cohort of math facilitators for a randomized controlled trial of an early-math curricula implemented by the social policy research organization MDRC.

Beginning her studies in Buenos Aires, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science at the Universidad del Salvador and a master’s degree in nonprofit organizations at the Universidad de San JuanAndrés. She then earned a Master of Science in public policy in Latin America at the University of Oxford before going on to obtain her PhD in comparative and international education with a discipline focus in political science at Teachers College.

Bio

Angelica is a Senior Program Officer with Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies where she supports the teacher preparation portfolio.

Angelica began her career in education as a 2007 Teach For America corps member in the Rio Grande Valley, where she taught 5th grade bilingual reading. She then spent four years in Houston, working as a middle school reading teacher, grade-level chair, and assistant principal at YES Prep Public Schools, and an additional year as a Capital Commitment Fellow at DC Public Schools. Angelica also served as the school director for YES Prep’s credit recovery program in 2015, and as a literacy specialist at Teach For America’s summer training institute from 2012 to 2014. Angelica earned her bachelor’s degree in History and Women’s Studies from the University of Michigan, and holds a Masters of Science in Public Health from Harvard University and an MBA from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

Bio

Leticia de la Vara leads TNTP’s Policy, Engagements, and External Affairs division, guiding a dynamic team that plays a critical role in galvanizing support for TNTP’s system-wide redesign efforts, policy agenda, and coalition building. This division also focuses on amplifying TNTP’s public voice, promoting thought leadership, and sparking interest and action toward our transformative vision.

Leticia joined TNTP in 2016 as a Partner, providing oversight and support to internal and external Public Affairs projects and policy advisement. Leticia then served as TNTP’s Chief of Staff, acting as an executive lead on strategy, accountability, innovation, and the implementation of organization-wide initiatives.

Prior to joining TNTP, Leticia held leadership positions at Friendly House, UnidosUS, Expect More Arizona, One Arizona, the ASU Center for Community Development & Civil Rights, & McCormack Baron Salazar. In these roles, they worked with elected officials, community-based organizations, grassroots and grasstops leaders, business chambers, universities, and city, state, and federal entities to meld policy with programs and enhance opportunities for historically marginalized communities.

Leticia received their BS in nonprofit leadership and management from Arizona State University.

Bio

Dan Sanchez brings over 30 years of experience advising and working with businesses of all scales and stages. Alongside three decades practicing law, he has served on the boards of numerous corporations experiencing cultural change, and is a founding member of the newly-formed ESG committee of the board of Liberty Global. He is a board member of Liberty Global and Liberty Latin America. He has also served on the boards of Starz, Lionsgate Films, and Discovery Communications.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of Hartford, a J.D. from Boston University School of Law, and a L.LM. from Temple University School of Law.