Join host Pablo Muñoz for an enriching conversation with his featured guest — Christina Hirales.

Christina is a veteran educator and school leader who leads with purpose to help educators and students thrive. She has shared life with her best friend and the love of her life for 34 years and is a proud mother of seven amazing children. Christina champions equity and access for all students while lifting those who need encouragement.

1:03 - Introduction

2:07 - My Leadership Story

19:28 - Three Students, Leadership Reimagined

23:56 - Vietnamese Dual-Language

29:33 - Advocate for Every Student

33:09 - Latina Leaders

38:44 - Leadership Lessons and Mentors

44:24 - AI and Innovation

54:09 - Principal Leadership

56:22 - Guiding Principles

1:01:48 - Coda

Christina Hirales is the youngest of five children and the daughter of Juan and Peggy Mejia, who modeled perseverance, sacrifice, and service. Her father, a career Marine, taught her duty and never to say, “I can’t.” Raised in poverty, he began picking cotton at age four while following crops across 1940s Texas. Her mother, the oldest of nine children, was born in a log cabin and grew up hunting, overcoming hardship, and loving books.

Christina was raised in Orange and Riverside, California. She became a model and dreamed of seeing the world. Yet unexpected doors led her into education and her purpose: serving children, empowering educators, strengthening communities, and advocating for overlooked voices. Christina is the principal at the DeMille Mỹ Việt Language Academy in the Westminster School District in California.

Christina received a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and a master’s degree in education from California State University, San Bernardino. She also holds a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of La Verne. Christina is currently completing a doctoral program in organizational leadership, thereby pioneering an educational path for her family while honoring her parents and building a legacy of education, joy, service, and hope.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christina-h-7670379b

Email: chirales@wsdk8.us

Latino Leaders is an award-winning podcast that was named a Silver Winner in the 4th Annual Signal Awards.

Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.

For additional information visit: themunozcompany.com

Purchase The Leader’s Algorithm: themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo: themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email: pablo@themunozcompany.com

Every leader has a story. But how do culture, heritage, history, and language shape the educators leading our public schools?

Welcome to Latino Leaders, named one of the best podcasts in the world and a Silver Winner in the 4th Annual Signal Awards. Hosted by Pablo Muñoz—a veteran educator with 30 years of experience, including 16 years as a superintendent—this is the premier podcast dedicated to developing the leadership skills of current and prospective PreK-12 school administrators.

Each week, we sit down with accomplished Latina and Latino public education leaders to uncover their authentic journeys. Through honest, powerful conversations, our guests pull back the curtain on their greatest successes, toughest missteps, and the crucial lessons learned along the way.

More than just professional development, Latino Leaders is a vital cultural archive bridging the gap between management theory and the human realities of leading modern-day schools. Whether you are stepping into your first leadership role, guiding a school, leading an entire district, or fighting for public education, you will walk away with actionable advice to help you grow as a leader.

New episodes drop every Monday.

Hit subscribe so you never miss a Latino Leaders masterclass!

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.

For additional information visit: themunozcompany.com

Purchase The Leader’s Algorithm: themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo: themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email: pablo@themunozcompany.com

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a thought-provoking conversation with his featured guest — Steven Almazán.

Steven is the director of policy and partnerships at the EdVoice Institute, an education advocacy organization focused on reshaping public education in California. He has spent his career advancing policies and leading coalitions at the local, state, and national levels that improve opportunities for students, especially those from marginalized communities. Steven is primarily focused on advancing racial equity and protecting civil rights for students in K-12 education.

1:03 - Introduction

2:09 - My Leadership Story

19:21 - EdVoice Institute

26:18 - The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

32:31 - Los Angeles Latino Giving Circle

38:13 - Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council

41:15 - Advocacy and Policy

47:25 - Advancing Racial and Social Justice

52:25 - Guiding Principles

55:11 - Coda

Steven Almazán began his career as a special education teacher in East Los Angeles and was elected to the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council. He serves on the Leadership Council of the Latino Community Foundation’s Los Angeles Latino Giving Circle, which has raised more than $600,000 for more than 25 grassroots Latino-led organizations. Previously, Steven served as the K-12 education policy lead at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, advancing federal policy solutions for students from marginalized communities.

Steven obtained bachelor’s degrees in psychology and communication from the University of Southern California. He received a master’s degree in special education from Loyola Marymount University. Steven earned his second master’s degree in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley.

This Encore episode was first published as Latino Leaders Episode 81 on October 6, 2025.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stevenalmazan

Website: stevenalmazan.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/edvoice/

Website: edvoiceinstitute.org/

Facebook: facebook.com/EdVoiceCA

Instagram: instagram.com/edvoiceca/

Website: californiateachersmatter.org/

Email: steven.almazan@gmail.com

Latino Leaders is an award-winning podcast that was named a Silver Winner in the 4th Annual Signal Awards.

Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.

For additional information visit: themunozcompany.com

Purchase The Leader’s Algorithm: themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo: themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email: pablo@themunozcompany.com