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Join National PTA and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, to explore practical systems-wide family engagement strategies. This webinar will be moderated by the 2026 Excellence in Family Engagement Award winner, Dr. Adrienne Battle, superintendent of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. You’ll also get to hear from Dr. Javier Montañez, superintendent of Providence Public Schools in Rhode Island, among a wide range of other voices who will discuss their district-wide strategies to uplift family-school partnerships in support of student success. Practitioners from across the country will share how they are using free tools like Family Engagement Solutions and the Family Engagement Roadmap to find programs and practices that effectively and meaningfully engage families in student learning and well-being.
Superintendent, Providence Public School District
Dr. Javier Montañez is the superintendent for Providence Public School District (PPSD) and has dedicated nearly his entire career in education to supporting PPSD students as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal.
On a personal level, Dr. Montañez understands the transformative power of education because it changed his life. As a student in Providence, Montañez experienced homelessness, and he often attended school only because he knew he would receive two meals a day if he did. In high school, he struggled with reading and dropped out of Hope High School. Through perseverance and a drive to succeed, he went back to school and received his GED. Decades later, he has earned his doctorate and superintendent’s certification, and is ready to work to support PPSD students.
Carina Pinto de Chacón
Chief of Family and Community Engagement, Providence Public School District
Carina Pinto de Chacón is the Chief of Family and Community Engagement for Providence Public Schools. Her commitment to this work is deeply personal. She immigrated to the United States as a teenager and later became a Providence graduate and former multilingual learner, experiences that shaped her belief that families are not an add-on to education, but essential partners in student success.
In her current role, she leads districtwide family and community engagement efforts, including attendance initiatives, community partnerships, parent leadership development, student voice programming, and advisory councils.
Dr. Gabriel Ramirez-Leyva
Principal, Arvin High School
Dr. Gabriel Ramirez-Leyva is the principal of Arvin High School in Arvin, CA. He brings 21 years of experience in education, including 12 years as a Kern High School District administrator. At Arvin High, Dr. Ramirez-Leyva makes family and community engagement a priority by providing leadership and support for the Parent & Family Center and community school efforts. He works closely with the Parent-Teacher Home Visits team, supports the Padres Osos Líderes parent leadership group, and hosts monthly “Pozole with the Principal” sessions.
Jonathan Gilley
Arvin High School
Jonathan Gilley is a biology teacher at Arvin High School in Arvin, CA and is currently in his fourth year at the school. In addition to teaching biology, Mr. Gilley contributes to Arvin’s literacy and instructional leadership efforts and participates in the school’s Parent-Teacher Home Visits program. Through home visits, he works with families to build relationships, learn about students’ experiences and aspirations, and connect families with school resources, programs, and opportunities.
Adriana Komin
Student & Family Support Liaison, Arvin High School
Adriana Komin is the Student & Family Support Liaison at Arvin High School in Arvin, CA, and has worked in education for nine years. Her work focuses on partnering with students, families, staff, and community members to eliminate barriers to student success. She serves on the School Site Council, Tier 1 team, and Parent-Teacher Home Visits team while supporting Arvin’s Peer Leaders Uniting Students (PLUS) group and Padres Osos Líderes parent leadership group.
Lizeth LoCicero
Parent and PTA Leader, Lizeth LoCicero
Lizeth LoCicero is a dedicated volunteer and advocate with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. She has been a long-standing member of PTA, serving in leadership roles at every level of PTA and is now a member of National PTA’s Board of Directors. LoCicero has also served on the National PTA Legislation Committee and Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach Committee. She has received several awards, including the Texas PTA Extended Service Award and Honorary Life Membership for her work.
Dr. Adrienne Battle
Superintendent, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
Dr. Adrienne Battle was named superintendent of Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) in 2019. With more than 150 schools, 81,000 students, 11,000 employees and a budget of more than $1.2 billion, MNPS is one of the nation’s largest school districts and one of Nashville’s largest employers.
Dr. Battle has made history as the first woman and first MNPS graduate to lead Tennessee’s second-largest school district. MNPS has achieved historic outcomes under Dr. Battle, including having the highest graduation rate in district history. Dr. Battle’s tenure reflects a relentless commitment to ensuring that every student is known, supported, and prepared for success in college, career, and life. As an MNPS parent, she understands the power of partnerships with all stakeholders, families, and the community.
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