Episode #72: Dr. Lourdes Alvarez-Ortiz - Trauma Informed Educators Network Podcast
Unapologetic Disrupter for Good PodcastShow Notes
Lourdes Alvarez-Ortiz, PhD, is a bilingual/bicultural school psychologist, educational consultant, and professional development facilitator. She has extensive experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. With expertise in assessing and supporting students’ socio-emotional and academic development, she has been instrumental in creating safe, engaging, and strengths-based school culture and climate, particularly for students and families who experience adversity and those who serve them.
In partnership with school districts, Dr. Alvarez-Ortiz has led non-profit organizations in implementing one-of-a- kind reform initiatives to close the opportunity gap. She has worked collaboratively with teachers and administrators to optimize students’ potential, successfully engage families and communities, and use culturally responsive practices while adopting a strengths-based approach.
At the center of Dr. Alvarez-Ortiz’ work is the relentless pursuit of empowering students, families, educators, and communities to capitalize on their potential. She presents at local, state, and national conferences and facilitates webinars and professional learning events.
She received a doctorate degree in School Psychology from Temple University and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico.
Her publications include co-authoring Teaching to Strengths: Supporting Students Living with Trauma, Violence, and Chronic Stress (ASCD, 2017), Teaching and Supporting Students Living with Adversity (ASCD, 2020), in addition to articles for ASCD's blog Inservice, and the bilingual site for educators and families Colorín Colorado.
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Julie Kurtz, M.S., LMFT is a renowned author and national speaker specializing in trauma-responsive, social-emotional, and resilience-building skills, particularly within educational settings ranging from early childhood to 12th grade. As the Founder and CEO of the Center for Optimal Brain Integration®, Julie is dedicated to amplifying the voices of those who have experienced toxic or traumatic stress, empowering both children and adults, and nurturing humane beings through intentional social-emotional learning and resilience strategies.
Beth Tyson, MA, is a childhood trauma therapist, children’s book author, and founder of Beth Tyson Trauma Consulting. She creates trauma-informed training, curriculum, and tools to help prevent and heal childhood trauma. She serves as the co-chair of the Pennsylvania Child Abuse Prevention team, volunteers as a CASA, but most importantly, she is a mom who is trying her best to break the cycle of trauma in her family.
Dr. Michael Gaskell is an author, speaker and principal in East Brunswick. He models the pursuit of lifelong learning as he mentors new principals through the New Jersey Leaders to Leaders (L2L) program. An NJPSA Stars recipient, presents on AI in the Classroom, at NJPSA/FEA and at Rutgers, has been published in over 6 dozen education journals and blogs, including ASCD Smartbrief, Tech & Learning, Education Post, eSchoolNews, NASSP, Edtech, currently writes a monthly column for ASCD Smartbrief, and made the most-read section of ASCD Smartbrief. Mike presents at national conferences, including the Learning and the Brain conference, November 2021; FETC January 2022,, January 2023 January 2024, January 2025, & 2026, CEC January 2023, NJCEC 2024 & 2023and ISTE June 2023. He has been on numerous podcasts including Larry Ferlazzo’s Education Week Classroom Q&A. Mike has published three books: Radical Principals, Leading Schools Through Trauma and Microstrategy Magic. Dr. Gaskell supports instructional excellence and student success for all.
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