Chapter 19: ¡Sí, Se Puede!: Creating Developmental, Relational Mentoring Networks for Future School Leaders

I work in leader formation with graduate students who will serve as administrators in K-12 schools, mentoring these students as they complete state certification requirements as principals or program administrators. I serve as these leader candidates’ university supervisor in their certification program, and teach in the master’s degree program in educational leadership. I was a K-12 teacher for 14 years, a principal for 16 years, and completed my superintendent certification before coming to work at the university level 10 years ago. The university I work at is a Hispanic serving institution in the Pacific Northwest.

I am one of two full-time faculty members in the educational leadership unit at a satellite campus in a community that is an urban area surrounded by a large governmental facility and both small family farms and corporate agricultural businesses. The demographics of one of the three largest school districts in the region reflect the makeup of our community, with a student population designated as 70% Hispanic/Latino/Latina:

• 57% non-English speaking or bilingual homes,

• 36% English language learners, and

• 18% migrant status designation (Pasco School District, 2017).