FACES IN THE CROWD SINCE 1763 – DEFINING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FILIPINO IN AMERICA
Two Part Webinar on Filipino Studies
Tuesday, July 20, 9:30 am to 11:30 am PT Tuesday, July 27, 9:30 am to 11:30 am PT
What does being Filipino mean to those who are of Philippine origins? Like other ethnicities, Filipinos come in many forms in the United States. Some Filipinos can make the argument that they have roots from the Manilamen from Louisiana in 1763 to new immigrants from 1965 and beyond. Filipinos are great assimilators and have adapted well to the popularized “American way of life”. Along the lines of assimilation, is succumbing to power from the dominant culture where an undertone of implicit and explicit suppression exists. The assembled panel will discuss several aspects of what being Filipino means in today’s society. Their perspectives are intended to create further discussion on defining what modern Filipino Cultural Proficiency can be.
Part I – Tuesday, July 20, 9:30am to 11:30 am PT Panel Discussion and Questions What ties Filipinos together and separates us? A candid discussion on connection and identity in America.
Part II – Tuesday, July 27, 9:30am to 11:30 am PT Presentation and Collaboration The “American Dream” and Cultural Proficiency: Guiding Principles for all.
When: Part I – Tuesday, July 20, 9:30 am to 11:30 am PT Part II – Tuesday, July 27, 9:30am to 11:30 am PT Where: Online Cost:Free, registration is required and space is limited.
Dr. Jose “JoJo” Reyes is the Director of Special Education and Student Support Services in Mendota Unified, CA. His role is to provide district-wide vision and leadership to support all students and staff. Structures, collaboration, equity and access, instructional strategies, and increasing staff professional growth have been priorities in his position. Prior to Mendota, Dr. Reyes was the Director of Adult Education and Alternative Programs in Central Unified, CA. Dr. Reyes has twenty plus years of education experience and has had several leadership roles. His experiences include Head Varsity Football Coach, Teacher, Guidance Learning Counselor, Vice-Principal, Regional Vice-Principal, Principal, Director and Adjunct Faculty. Dr. Reyes specializes in relationship building, cultural proficiency and equity, instructional leadership, mentoring, school‐wide structural support, dealing with difficult students, teacher pedagogy and overall capacity building. As a former United States Marine, Dr. Reyes believes that the ability to provide a service which ultimately makes a change in a person’s life is very empowering. He and his wife Michele, who is also in education, have one son and three daughters. Dr. Reyes holds an undergraduate degree in Speech Communication, Master of Arts in Special Education, and a Doctorate in Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Autism.
Dr. Reyes also serves as a Center for Leadership Equity and Research Mentor and Board member. His research interests are in the areas of equity, special needs, ethnic studies, cultural proficiency and school-wide structures to create pathways for success for all students. Current projects include working with the American Institutes for Research, early literacy, ethnic studies seminars, cultural proficiency, strength based pedagogy for students and Network Improvement Communities with WestEd. Dr. Reyes continues to work with schools, organizations and community partners to support P-12 and adult populations.
Dr. Daisy Rodriguez Pitel
Dr. Daisy Rodriguez Pitel is a culturally and racially conscious leader whose vision and professional practice is grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She fell in love with education during her undergraduate experience at San Francisco State University, studying Speech Communication and indulging in Ethnic Studies coursework. She earned her graduate degrees in higher education administration with a focus on Student Personnel Administration, graduating from New York University with her master’s degree and her PhD from Indiana University- Bloomington. She has a long career in higher education administration, serving in Residence Life, Student Activities, Multicultural Affairs, and International Education and Global Engagement. Dr. Rodriguez Pitel’s perspective is informed by her experiences living in multiple states across the U.S., including California, New York, Utah, Indiana, Virginia, and Arizona.
Daisy realized the value of owning her own narrative and exercising her voice as she completed her dissertation on the voices of Filipino American college students. She is a skilled facilitator, trainer, and speaker. Additionally, she authored two children’s books, Going to Lola Lynn’s and Adobo at School. She
values her identity as a Filipina American, and embraces her roles as an educator, leader, and family member-especially as a mom to her thirteen year old son, Daniel.
Chef Johnny Itliong
Chef Johnny Itliong began working at the age of five-years-old. Chef Itliong worked in the fields as a labor worker; where his duties included chopping cotton and picking oranges, cherries and grapes. At the age of eleven, Chef Itilong lost his father. By the age of fourteen, his time in the fields ended and he began working in local kitchens. At the age of fifteen, he was living in his Volkswagen Bug and deemed homeless had it not been friends. He eventually moved to Bakersfield and began a career as a Chef De Parti (Chef Training). His experiences include working in high end exclusive restaurants in the Santa Monica, Hollywood and Malibu areas. Now, his adult life passion is exploring the truths and role of his father, Larry Itliong, with the creation of the United Farm Workers Organization Committee (UFWOC).
Chef Itliong has been married for 14 years to his wonderful wife, Yelena. Together they have two awesome kids, Aleks and Angela. His eldest son is Larry. Like his father, Chef Itliong describes himself as a free thinker and seeing beyond what is in front of him.
Ms. Mylene Keipp
Ms. Mylene Keipp began her career as a teacher in LAUSD in 1993 and has served as a teacher, mentor, coordinator, administrator, and other duties as assigned. Mylene is the proud mother of four LAUSD alumni. She met her husband at UCLA’s TEP program and both continue to work with high school students. Her interests include cooking, eating, sports, and reading. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley, UCLA, and CSULA.
Mr. Louie Lopez
Mr. Louie Lopez is the Director of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense in Research and Engineering’s (OUSD/R&E), Laboratories and Personnel. Mr. Lopez is responsible for the management and execution of the Department of Defense (DoD) K through Graduate STEM efforts under the National Defense Education Program (NDEP). His responsibilities include the Science Mathematics and Research Transformation (SMART) scholarship, Manufacturing Engineering Education Program, and STEM education and outreach initiatives under the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC) cooperative agreement award in collaboration with partners from academia, industry, and other community organizations with a shared mission in STEM. He serves on a variety of Federal interagency working groups, as well as an alternate under the Federal Coordination of STEM Education. He is also responsible for policy and coordination of STEM efforts across the Department to ensure alignment with DoD and Federal STEM Strategic plans.
Prior to April 2019, Mr. Lopez served as the chief of STEM Education and Outreach for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), overseeing STEM efforts across the enterprise, leveraging eight major Army laboratory and engineering centers and its approximately 11,000 scientists and engineers, to engage and support command-wide STEM initiatives. His responsibilities included the technical and fiscal oversight of the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) cooperative agreement award on behalf of the Army science and technology community and the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology (DASA R&T). Mr. Lopez also managed the Army, Navy, and Air Force Junior Science & Humanities Symposium high school research competition on behalf of AEOP. In 2017, Mr. Lopez served as the Acting Chief of Human Capital and talent management for CCDC. In 2017-2018, Mr. Lopez also served as the COR on the U.S. Army Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) program support contract at CCDC.
Prior to serving in the federal government in 2011, Mr. Lopez worked as Director of a pre-collegiate STEM education program in the Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) at the Lyles College of Engineering, at California State University, Fresno from 2006-2011, and previously served as Associate Director for University of California’s MESA Program at California State University, Fullerton from 1998 to 2005. From 1999-2003, Mr. Lopez taught computer science courses at California State University, Fullerton. Mr. Lopez proudly served in the United States Marine Corps.
Mr. Lopez successfully completed the OPM sponsored Aberdeen Proving Ground Senior Leadership Course as part of COHORT 8 in 2016-2017. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of California, San Diego, and Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from National University in San Diego, California.
FACES IN THE CROWD SINCE 1763 – DEFINING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FILIPINO IN AMERICA
Two Part Webinar on Filipino Studies
Tuesday, July 20, 9:30 am to 11:30 am PT
Tuesday, July 27, 9:30 am to 11:30 am PT
What does being Filipino mean to those who are of Philippine origins? Like other ethnicities, Filipinos come in many forms in the United States. Some Filipinos can make the argument that they have roots from the Manilamen from Louisiana in 1763 to new immigrants from 1965 and beyond. Filipinos are great assimilators and have adapted well to the popularized “American way of life”. Along the lines of assimilation, is succumbing to power from the dominant culture where an undertone of implicit and explicit suppression exists. The assembled panel will discuss several aspects of what being Filipino means in today’s society. Their perspectives are intended to create further discussion on defining what modern Filipino Cultural Proficiency can be.
Part I – Tuesday, July 20, 9:30am to 11:30 am PT
Panel Discussion and Questions
What ties Filipinos together and separates us? A candid discussion on connection and identity in America.
Part II – Tuesday, July 27, 9:30am to 11:30 am PT
Presentation and Collaboration
The “American Dream” and Cultural Proficiency: Guiding Principles for all.
When: Part I – Tuesday, July 20, 9:30 am to 11:30 am PT
Part II – Tuesday, July 27, 9:30am to 11:30 am PT
Where: Online
Cost: Free, registration is required and space is limited.
Speakers
Dr. Jose “JoJo” Reyes
Dr. Jose “JoJo” Reyes is the Director of Special Education and Student Support Services in Mendota Unified, CA. His role is to provide district-wide vision and leadership to support all students and staff. Structures, collaboration, equity and access, instructional strategies, and increasing staff professional growth have been priorities in his position. Prior to Mendota, Dr. Reyes was the Director of Adult Education and Alternative Programs in Central Unified, CA. Dr. Reyes has twenty plus years of education experience and has had several leadership roles. His experiences include Head Varsity Football Coach, Teacher, Guidance Learning Counselor, Vice-Principal, Regional Vice-Principal, Principal, Director and Adjunct Faculty. Dr. Reyes specializes in relationship building, cultural proficiency and equity, instructional leadership, mentoring, school‐wide structural support, dealing with difficult students, teacher pedagogy and overall capacity building. As a former United States Marine, Dr. Reyes believes that the ability to provide a service which ultimately makes a change in a person’s life is very empowering. He and his wife Michele, who is also in education, have one son and three daughters. Dr. Reyes holds an undergraduate degree in Speech Communication, Master of Arts in Special Education, and a Doctorate in Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Autism.
Dr. Reyes also serves as a Center for Leadership Equity and Research Mentor and Board member. His research interests are in the areas of equity, special needs, ethnic studies, cultural proficiency and school-wide structures to create pathways for success for all students. Current projects include working with the American Institutes for Research, early literacy, ethnic studies seminars, cultural proficiency, strength based pedagogy for students and Network Improvement Communities with WestEd. Dr. Reyes continues to work with schools, organizations and community partners to support P-12 and adult populations.
Dr. Daisy Rodriguez Pitel
Dr. Daisy Rodriguez Pitel is a culturally and racially conscious leader whose vision and professional practice is grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She fell in love with education during her undergraduate experience at San Francisco State University, studying Speech Communication and indulging in Ethnic Studies coursework. She earned her graduate degrees in higher education administration with a focus on Student Personnel Administration, graduating from New York University with her master’s degree and her PhD from Indiana University- Bloomington. She has a long career in higher education administration, serving in Residence Life, Student Activities, Multicultural Affairs, and International Education and Global Engagement. Dr. Rodriguez Pitel’s perspective is informed by her experiences living in multiple states across the U.S., including California, New York, Utah, Indiana, Virginia, and Arizona.
Daisy realized the value of owning her own narrative and exercising her voice as she completed her dissertation on the voices of Filipino American college students. She is a skilled facilitator, trainer, and speaker. Additionally, she authored two children’s books, Going to Lola Lynn’s and Adobo at School. She
values her identity as a Filipina American, and embraces her roles as an educator, leader, and family member-especially as a mom to her thirteen year old son, Daniel.
Chef Johnny Itliong
Chef Johnny Itliong began working at the age of five-years-old. Chef Itliong worked in the fields as a labor worker; where his duties included chopping cotton and picking oranges, cherries and grapes. At the age of eleven, Chef Itilong lost his father. By the age of fourteen, his time in the fields ended and he began working in local kitchens. At the age of fifteen, he was living in his Volkswagen Bug and deemed homeless had it not been friends. He eventually moved to Bakersfield and began a career as a Chef De Parti (Chef Training). His experiences include working in high end exclusive restaurants in the Santa Monica, Hollywood and Malibu areas. Now, his adult life passion is exploring the truths and role of his father, Larry Itliong, with the creation of the United Farm Workers Organization Committee (UFWOC).
Chef Itliong has been married for 14 years to his wonderful wife, Yelena. Together they have two awesome kids, Aleks and Angela. His eldest son is Larry. Like his father, Chef Itliong describes himself as a free thinker and seeing beyond what is in front of him.
Ms. Mylene Keipp
Ms. Mylene Keipp began her career as a teacher in LAUSD in 1993 and has served as a teacher, mentor, coordinator, administrator, and other duties as assigned. Mylene is the proud mother of four LAUSD alumni. She met her husband at UCLA’s TEP program and both continue to work with high school students. Her interests include cooking, eating, sports, and reading. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley, UCLA, and CSULA.
Mr. Louie Lopez
Mr. Louie Lopez is the Director of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense in Research and Engineering’s (OUSD/R&E), Laboratories and Personnel. Mr. Lopez is responsible for the management and execution of the Department of Defense (DoD) K through Graduate STEM efforts under the National Defense Education Program (NDEP). His responsibilities include the Science Mathematics and Research Transformation (SMART) scholarship, Manufacturing Engineering Education Program, and STEM education and outreach initiatives under the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC) cooperative agreement award in collaboration with partners from academia, industry, and other community organizations with a shared mission in STEM. He serves on a variety of Federal interagency working groups, as well as an alternate under the Federal Coordination of STEM Education. He is also responsible for policy and coordination of STEM efforts across the Department to ensure alignment with DoD and Federal STEM Strategic plans.
Prior to April 2019, Mr. Lopez served as the chief of STEM Education and Outreach for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), overseeing STEM efforts across the enterprise, leveraging eight major Army laboratory and engineering centers and its approximately 11,000 scientists and engineers, to engage and support command-wide STEM initiatives. His responsibilities included the technical and fiscal oversight of the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) cooperative agreement award on behalf of the Army science and technology community and the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology (DASA R&T). Mr. Lopez also managed the Army, Navy, and Air Force Junior Science & Humanities Symposium high school research competition on behalf of AEOP. In 2017, Mr. Lopez served as the Acting Chief of Human Capital and talent management for CCDC. In 2017-2018, Mr. Lopez also served as the COR on the U.S. Army Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) program support contract at CCDC.
Prior to serving in the federal government in 2011, Mr. Lopez worked as Director of a pre-collegiate STEM education program in the Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) at the Lyles College of Engineering, at California State University, Fresno from 2006-2011, and previously served as Associate Director for University of California’s MESA Program at California State University, Fullerton from 1998 to 2005. From 1999-2003, Mr. Lopez taught computer science courses at California State University, Fullerton. Mr. Lopez proudly served in the United States Marine Corps.
Mr. Lopez successfully completed the OPM sponsored Aberdeen Proving Ground Senior Leadership Course as part of COHORT 8 in 2016-2017. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of California, San Diego, and Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from National University in San Diego, California.
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