SHEFF MOVEMENT ORGANIZING TEAM

Lourdes Fonseca was born and raised in Puerto Rico.  She has lived in Connecticut for the 29 years she has been in the U.S.  Her passions are community organizing, education and social justice issues. Lourdes has worked in this field over the years in the following organizations:  Hartford Areas Rally Together, Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now, Achieve Hartford, Building Hartford Through Community Actions (BHCA), Center for Children's Advocacy,  and currently the Center for Latino Progress and Sheff Movement Coalition. She is an active volunteer in her community, and she loves working with youth because they are our future!

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Born and raised in Connecticut, Sasha received her Master of Public Administration and a graduate certificate in Leadership and Public Management from the University of Connecticut. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Bay Path College and an Associate of Arts from Capital Community College. She and her family reside in Berlin, Connecticut. In addition to her work with the Sheff Movement Coalition, Sasha is also currently a Policy Analyst at the School and State Finance Project. With a background in community organizing, program management, and education policy, Sasha brings a unique perspective and invaluable experience to all of her work.

A former middle and high school humanities teacher, Sian now teaches English education courses focused on literacy pedagogy, human rights education, equity in literary practices and field experiences grounded in community advocacy to teacher candidates working toward initial teaching certification. Born and raised in Trinidad, Sian has taught and coached in city, suburban, public and independent schools in New York and Connecticut.  Sian received her bachelor’s degree in English from St. Francis College, Brooklyn and her master’s in Secondary English Education from City College of New York.  She is completing a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Connecticut Neag School of Education.