2019 Alliance Host Committee Co-Chairs

It is a great honor to announce the 2019 Alliance & Excellence In Parent Engagement Awards Host Committee Co-Chairs:

Tommy Chang, Ed.D., Board Member, Families In Schools
Elizabeth Rodarte, Principal, Washington Elementary, Montebello Unified District
Meshell Baylor, 2014 Excellence In Parent Engagement Award Recipient

They have an incredible range of perspectives, are very involved in their communities, and fearless advocates for family engagement and educational equity. We hope you can join us in congratulating them at the 2019 Alliance Summit and Excellence In Parent Engagement Awards on November 21, 2019 in Los Angeles.

About the 2019 Alliance Host Committee Co-Chairs

Tommy Chang, Ed.D.

Dr. Tommy Chang is an education leader who has worked across the country, most recently serving as the Superintendent of Boston Public Schools from 2015-18. During his tenure, graduation rates increased and dropout rates decreased, and the school district had more high-performing schools than ever before. Prior to leading the school system in Boston, Dr. Chang served as the local instructional superintendent of the Intensive Support & Innovation Center at the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), where he focused on school turnaround efforts and supported innovative school models in the school district. Read more.

Elizabeth Rodarte

Elizabeth Rodarte is a Principal at Washington Elementary School. Prior, Rodarte spent ten years at Schurr High School as a teacher and the last four years as an Assistant Principal. Rodarte is also an adjunct professor at California State University – Los Angeles for the Special Education Department where she works closely with student teachers who are working towards the completion of their credential program. Rodarte is devoted to improving the quality of life for all students, especially those who have the most difficult time achieving. Rodarte is a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child, and that schools, families and community partners must work closely together to support and nourish the development of all children. Moreover, Rodarte serves as a Board of Directors for Human Services Association (HSA) and most recently, has joined the Special Education transition team under the new leadership of our State Superintendent of Public Education, Tony Thurmond.

Meshell Baylor

Meshell Baylor is a 2014 Parent Engagement Award recipient, a parent advocate of the Special Needs Network’s Parent Advisory Council and serves as a Team Leader for the Autism Society of Los Angeles (ASLA) serving families impacted by autism. She trains parents, councils them, and comforts them when their child is diagnosed as special needs. She has taken her training, experience, and hard-fought lessons and given that knowledge back to the community. Meshell is also the author of “I’m a Little Brother” which highlights the unconditional love a brother has for his brother who is diagnosed with Autism.