C.I.R.C.L.E. hosted its first annual conference in 2009 at Stanley British Primary School. Each year since, C.I.R.C.L.E. has grown, bringing an ever-diversifying range of workshops and presenters to each year’s conference.

Hosted By: Stanley British Primary School

Date: January 31, 2009

Keynote Presenter: Maria Guajardo, Ph.D.

María Guajardo is the executive director of the Mayor’s Office for Education and Children in Denver, Colorado. Focusing on the first two decades of life, the charge of her office is to champion educational advancement for children and youth in Denver. Her leadership initiated and launched the Denver Preschool Program, the 5 By 5 Project, after-school programs citywide and summits on Multiple Pathways to Graduation. She oversees operations from Head Start to providing high school students an even start to postsecondary education. A licensed child psychologist, in 2005 she received a congressional commendation for her contributions to Latino education.

She is a national spokesperson on topics of education, leadership, and the strength of diversity. Her publications include The Spirit of Culture and The Power of Parents.

Dr. Guajardo graduated with honors from Harvard University and earned her Masters and Ph.D. from the University of Denver. She is a graduate of the Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. From 1991-1994 she was a Kellogg National Leadership Fellow. A daughter of migrant parents, she currently has a son enrolled in Denver Public Schools. María is an author, a mother, a community volunteer, and a national speaker