The Migrant Education Departments of ESD 123 and ESD 105 invite both parents and students to join us at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick on February 17, 2023 for the Together Towards Tomorrow Migrant Parent and Student Conference. The day will include a parent-focused track and a student-focused track.
Conference Agenda:
7:30-8:40 AM - Registration
8:40-8:55 AM - Welcome
8:55-9:25 AM - Keynote: Lilyan Pardo Carrillo
9:40-10:25 AM - Breakout Sessions 1
10:30-11:15 AM - Breakout Sessions 2
11:20 AM - 12:20 PM - Lunch
12:30-1:15 PM - Breakout Sessions 3
1:30 -1:40 PM - Closing & Keynote
1:40-2:00 PM - Evaluations & Raffle
Links to Conference Surveys:
Conference survey:
https://forms.gle/AVfrpqMjk9xED3j1A
Parent Conference Session Survey:
https://forms.gle/yNvg4BTTZYWpMZb58
Student Conference Session Survey:
https://forms.gle/sDmqTk1P251a5vaY6
Migrant PARENT Conference
Learn strategies to support home learning, prepping students with post-secondary paths, farmworker rights and student advocacy, school safety, as well as support services in mental health and self care.
Migrant STUDENT Conference
Students will be led through a mindfulness activity to promote self care and growth, as well as the opportunity for self expression through canvas painting. The student component will then end with a motivational speaker from Cool Speak.
Registration - Closed
This conference is FREE to Migrant parents and students! If you have questions please contact: Viviana Magallon 509 316 8332.
Keynote Speaker:
Lilyan Pardo Carillo
Coolspeak
Speaker/ Educator
Lilyan Prado Carrillo migrated to the United States from Guatemala when she was four years old. Raised solely by her father, J. Luis Prado, Lilyan has always understood the importance of education. Her father taught her to have a strong work ethic and the power of education. Lilyan is a masterful storyteller and is able to connect with audiences from all backgrounds. Her vulnerability and transparency will not only allow you to connect but will also embolden you to believe that all things are possible, and that the sacrifices you make as parents/guardians do not come back void! She is an advocate for education and believes whole-heartedly in the impact that education can have on not only individuals, but on their entire family! Her experiences growing up in poverty, experiencing domestic violence, working from a young age and navigating the broken immigration system in the U.S. are a few points she touches on. Taking ownership of your story and setting your family up on a trajectory you can be proud of are only a few take-aways you will have after listening to her story.
Presenters for Parents
Molly Brinkley
Educational Service District 123
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator
Molly provides instructional technology and professional development services to school districts. With 18 years in education, she has experience working will all levels of educators to enhance classroom instruction through technology integration, educational leadership, data analysis, and effective classroom practices.
Rosa I. Perez Castillo
Washington State University Tri-Cities
Student in Elementary Education Program and ASWSUTC Education Senator
I'm currently a senior at WSU Tri-Cities working towards a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Multilingual Learners (ELL) and Bilingual Education. I look forward to graduating this May on President's Honor Roll. I look forward to working in various positions as an educator in the Tri-Cities. I have also been part of the 21st Century after-school programs for a couple of years. I'm also currently part of the WSU student government as an Education Senator, where responsible for taking on advocacy projects to improve the overall experience for the WSU Tri-Cities students.
Raul Chavez
Kennewick School District
Mental Health Therapist
Migrant mental health therapist working for the Kennewick School District. Helping children and family with managing mental health obstacles that affect academic success, family dynamics, and emotional regulation.
Lindsey Fangman
Educational Service District 123
Regional Literacy Coordinator
Lindsey Fangman is in her 16th year of education. In her experience she has taught grades 3rd through 8th. In her current role as the Regional Literacy Coordinator she supports Literacy across our region. She has a passion for sharing equitable opportunities for all children and families through Literacy.
Alex Galarza
Northwest Justice Project
Community Outreach Specialist
Alex Galarza grew up in the Yakima Valley. He and his family come from a farmworker background. Alex has been with NJP in Yakima for 14 years. As a Community Outreach Specialist, Alex is in charge of coordinating NJP’s outreach efforts for the Farmworker Unit, and travels throughout Washington State to visit and educate Migrant, Domestic and H-2A farmworkers about their employment rights. Part of his work includes providing community education and raising awareness to help identify victims of labor trafficking in the farm work environment and bringing Know Your Rights presentations to farmworker communities. Since 2020, Alex has implemented social media strategies in his outreach to reach out to farmworkers with community education about COVID-19. Alex’s education includes a Paralegal AA certified degree and provides legal support to FW Attorneys and his own caseload by assisting farmworkers with assistance in worker compensation and charity care cases. Alex doesn’t like to cook, but he likes to eat different kinds of food.
Mariana Garcia
Northwest Justice Project
Outreach Worker
Mariana Garcia was born and raised in the Yakima Valley. As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, Mariana witnessed firsthand the racism and abuse immigrants go through in order to give their families a better life. After working long summers in the fruit packing sheds to pay for school, Mariana made a commitment that after she finished school she would return to the valley and contribute to the betterment of her community. After graduating from college, Mariana immediately got involved working for women’s reproductive justice and later in union organizing. In 2020, she decided to take a position with NJP’s Farmworker Unit as their labor trafficking outreach worker. There along with the rest of the outreach team she has continued to do community education around workers’ rights throughout the pandemic.
DeLeon Gause
Educational Service District 123
Student Threat Assessment and Management Coordinator
Originally from Miami, FL Deleon has joined the ESD123 family here in WA, he believes in seeing the greatness in everyone of our young people. His educational background includes his previous work at the Boys & Girls Club, Columbia Basin College Outreach and Recruitment and social work through Lutheran Community Services (WISe Program) Wraparound with Intensive Services. DeLeon is currently serving as the Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Coordinator.
Eric Johnson
Washington State University Tri-Cities
Professor of Multilingual Education
Dr. Johnson teaches university courses related to multilingual education, working with immigrant communities, and parent and community engagement.
Bibiana Juarez
Support, Advocacy, & Resource Center
General Crimes and Child Exploitation Advocate
Bibiana came to SARC in early September 2021 as an intern and volunteer. She received her bachelor's in social work from Lewis & Clark State College. Bibiana has been taken on many roles while her time at SARC. She has been the program assistant, counseling assistant, and victim advocate. At this time, she is currently the General Crimes and Child Exploitation Advocate. She is passionate about helping others in times of crisis and is looking forward to acquiring knowledge and experience in this field.
Esmael Xiutecpatl Lopez
Northwest Justice Project
Outreach Worker
Esmael Xiutecpatl Lopez is a Native Texican who grew up in the Northwest. Growing up in Skagit Valley, he spent his summers working in the fields, trying to contribute to his family. He was deeply affected by witnessing the mistreatment of farmworkers firsthand. This led to 10 years of service as chair, co-chair and many other positions within the farmworker solidarity committee. He lived in Seattle for 12 years serving in a number of community leadership roles within organizations focused on social change and community advancement. After a decade of community organizing, teaching “know your rights” workshops, financial literacy classes, organizing the May Day March, Esmael received many awards for this work. More recently, while working for the Department of Health, Esmael assisted in the creation of Washington State’s first-ever Office of Equity and Environmental Justice Task Force. In 2020 after seeing the disproportionate effect of COVID on the Mexican/Latinx and more specifically the farmworker community, Esmael realized that his unique skills could be best utilized in Central Washington. In October of 2020, he began working as an outreach educator and community engagement worker with the Farmworker Unit at NJP. He continues to serve the farmworker community and remains diligent in fighting for the fair treatment of all workers. Esmael is a Capitan of Aztec dance.
Abby Mattson
Kennewick School District
Assistant Director-Career & Technical Education
23 years in education, serving as a Family and Consumer Science Teacher, Assistant Principal at the middle school level, Assistant Director at Tri Tech Skills Center and most currently the Assistant Director of Career and Technical Education for Kennewick School District. Passionate about developing high quality CTE programs that align to current job market and helping students find a path for post secondary success.
Becky Neher
Educational Service District 123
Migrant Math and Science Coordinator
Becky Neher is in her 12th year of education. Her background includes years of elementary education. In her current role as the Migrant Math and Science coordinator, she supports districts who serve Migrant students. She has a passion of deep understanding of Math concepts and Science inquiry.
Ben Shearer
City of Pasco Fire Department
Community Risk Reduction Specialist
Ben Shearer has 33 years with the Pasco Fire Department. He is currently the Public Education Specialist and Public Information Officer.

Edona Wilson
Educational Service District 123
Behavioral Health Navigator
Edona holds a master’s degree in public health and has experience working with youth and families who struggle with mental health challenges. Edona is currently a Behavioral Health Navigator at ESD 123 where she helps schools increase access to behavioral health services and bridge the gap between education and behavioral health. Edona educates individuals on how to recognize the warning signs of suicide and take the appropriate steps to help someone who is struggling with mental health challenges.
Presenters for Students
Jim Kindle
Educational Service District 123
Regional Career Connected Learning Coordinator
Jim Kindle began his work as the Regional Career Connected Learning Coordinator with ESD123 in July of 2022. Jim has worked in non profit education for most of his professional career. As a Branch Executive Director for YMCA of the USA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and a consultant to numerous Child Development Centers, he now has turned his passion to the world of education. Jim became a CTE teacher in 2014, teaching within the Bethel School District and then moving to Yakima to begin teaching at Davis High School. At Davis, Jim taught Business/Marketing courses, oversaw the DECA Chapter and the Pirates Cove (Student Store), as well as coached varsity girls basketball. Jim has a passion for developing and implementing programs that benefit early exposure career pathways, credentials, and post-secondary aspirations for students, their families, and communities.
Megan Tyler
Free Expression Studio
Mindfulness Guide
Megan Tyler is a Mindfulness Guide specializing in yoga, breath work, meditation and artistic expression. Combining these tools within her teachings, she aims to share ways in which you can cultivate deeper connections internally and externally while discovering how to live a more mindful life. Megan’s journey with mindfulness started with practicing yoga in 2012 and before that, with art during art classes at SHS in 2005; she graduated from the University of Washington in 2013 with a double major in Communications and Interdisciplinary Visual Art. Megan has since received her RYT-200 certification in Vinyasa, has been certified in the Yoga Trapeze® and is a Certified Breath Coach®