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Gabriela Rios Highlight
Gabriela Rios
Executive Director, Modesto Regional Office,
Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)
We’re not only changing the life for [one] student or [one] school, we’re changing the trajectory of our country.
About Gabriela
- I was born in Mexico and came to the U.S. when I was 10 years old.
- After high school, I went to a community college, where I found mentors who helped me navigate the education system.
- I transferred to California State University, Stanislaus, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a minor in history.
- After graduating, I worked as a high school teacher but I quickly realized that working in a classroom wasn’t a great fit for me.
- I connected with a former executive director for the Parent Institute for Quality Education and she gave me the opportunity to become an associate director for the organization.
- I took over for the former executive director when she retired—I now lead the organization’s efforts for all of the California Central Valley.
