Celina Meraz, Ph.D., has a passion for bilingual education and specializes in implementing research-based strategies that provide extensive language experience for all bilingual students, starting from the earliest stages of second language development. With a strong focus on promoting bilingualism and biliteracy, she is motivated to design engaging lessons that address the special needs of Emergent Bilinguals, developing strategies that ensure students master listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking skills.

Celina’s Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Studies and Bilingual Education reinforces her commitment to bilingual students, and she continues to cultivate her heartfelt desire to make a positive contribution to the future of bilingual education.

Prior to joining lead4ward, Celina served in various capacities: as a Bilingual teacher in Dual Language Programs, district-level One-Way and Two-Way Dual Language program implementation support, district-wide ELAR and SLAR Curriculum and Instruction development for General Education/ESL and Bilingual teachers, Biliteracy Cohort Leader for the Texas Reading Academies, Lead Reviewer for the Texas Resource Review for High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM), and Spanish Curriculum Writer with Region 10. She currently serves as an Adjunct Professor for Dallas College.