30 Years of Impact Generational Change Support Inspiration
A LONGORIA PH. D
Martinez Fellowship | Cohort 1
Chair of Secondary Education and Associate Professor
Western Washington University
Building Community Since the Beginning
When A Longoria joined the very first cohort of the Martinez Fellowship in 2009, they had no idea their participation would help launch a program that would continue supporting educators of color for decades to come. What began as a scholarship opportunity during their Master's in Teaching program at Seattle University quickly became something much bigger: a lifelong network, a professional community, and a commitment to educational equity.
Finding Purpose Through Education
Longoria’s journey into education was anything but traditional. Originally from El Centro, California, they are a Chinx-Chicanx grandchild of immigrants from the Pearl River Delta in China and the state of Zacatecas in Mexico. After leaving college multiple times and navigating a winding academic path, they discovered a passion for teaching. The Martinez Fellowship played a critical role in helping them find their place in the profession and ultimately inspired their work in teacher education.
After spending time in the field as a high school teacher, Longoria saw firsthand how demanding the profession can be—especially for educators of color, who experience higher rates of burnout when support and community are lacking. That experience prompted them to begin working in higher education, where they could create change, create resources to help educators build sustainable careers, and connect them with the support they need.
Today, Dr. Longoria is Associate Professor and Chair of Secondary Education in the Woodring College of Education at Western Washington University. They have spent their career helping future educators understand how cultural identity can be a source of strength, belonging, and effective teaching practice.
As a strong proponent of multicultural education, identity-sustaining pedagogy, and bridging the divide between methods and foundations in teacher education, Longoria co-authored Creating a Home in Schools: Sustaining Identities for Black, Indigenous, and Teachers of Color with Francisco Ríos, published by Teachers College Press.
The Power of the Fellowship Network
The need for the network, the joy of the network—that hasn’t changed. We needed the [Martinez] Fellows Program in 2009, and we still need the Fellows Program in 2026.
Over the years, Longoria has remained deeply connected to the Martinez Fellowship community. From mentoring emerging educators to helping identify and recruit future Fellows, they continue to invest in the program that helped shape their own journey.
One lesson has remained constant: community matters.
For Longoria, effective teaching is not just about delivering content. It is about creating classrooms where both educators and students can remain connected to their communities, cultures, and lived experiences. Throughout their career, Longoria has been a strong advocate for identity-sustaining pedagogy—the belief that educators should be able to bring their full cultural identities into their work rather than feeling pressure to assimilate. Traditional education models in America do not always support that belief, and professional isolation remains a reality for many educators of color.
The Martinez Fellowship offers a space where teachers can share experiences and build meaningful relationships with others who understand both the challenges and the opportunities of the work. We are incredibly grateful to Longoria for their work as a University Partner, and how they continue to sustain and participate in our Fellowship.
Looking Ahead
As Longoria moves into college leadership as Associate Dean for Student Services they remain focused on expanding opportunities for educators of color and strengthening pathways into the teaching profession. Their goal is to continue supporting teacher diversity at a broader institutional level while ensuring future educators have the resources and community they need to thrive. Part of that work is continuing to spread awareness of the Martinez Fellowship and connecting early-career educators of color to the TAF network that helped give them their start.
Their advice for new educators?
Be yourself. Have fun. We can’t do this work if we’re not healthy. Building a sustainable career begins with personal well-being. Educators cannot fully support others without first making time for their own health, joy, and growth.
Generational Change in Action
As a member of the very first Martinez Fellowship cohort, Longoria has witnessed firsthand how relationships, mentorship, and community can transform careers. Their journey reflects the Fellowship's enduring mission: supporting educators of color so they can support generations of students.
Today, that impact continues to ripple outward through every teacher they mentor, every educator they prepare, and every student those educators serve.
