Maria is a veteran classroom teacher and administrator with over 30 years of experience in education.  She credits great teachers for opening her world through education.  Maria was born in Mexico,  and came to the United States as a young child.  She learned english in school and dreamed of becoming a teacher herself.  Maria is a community advocate for children from poverty and education for all.
Maria serves on the board of ARK-TESOL as the representative for the central region. Maria also serves on the advisory board of ABICE, the Arkansas Bilingual Interpreter Credential in Education. She loves to volunteer and served as the director of an immigrant education resource center focused on education for adults.
Maria also volunteers with Mamas Unidas Little Rock where the focus is parental engagement in preparing young people for higher education.  Maria has a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in educational leadership.  Maria is a program advisor in the division of Educator Effectiveness and Licensure.