Cristina Urena is a passionate and dedicated educator who started her career as a teacher in Fifth Ward, Houston, TX, as a Teach for America (TFA) corps member in HoustonISD. As a first-generation Dominican-American and an English language learner, she has used her experience in education to help create transformational change in the lives of thousands of students. Cristina was exposed to a rigorous education once she became an Albert G. Oliver scholar, where she was prepped to gain acceptance into one of New York City’s prestigious private high schools. She attended Columbia University as a Psychology major and earned her MEd from the University of St. Thomas. Cristina was named Teacher of the Year and held several leadership positions, including instructional coach, while in HISD. As an instructional coach through Career Pathways, her teachers earned Texas Education Agency distinctions due to the number of students exceeding state standards. She later joined Building Excellent Schools (BES) as a fellow to help found Étoile Academy Charter School (EACS), a K-8 district in Houston, on the premise that ALL students can learn regardless of their language gaps or financial status. She currently manages all EACS principals as the Chief Schools Officers to ensure we can give all students an excellent education.