Educational History

Ed.D. (Educational Leadership), Shenandoah University; M.Ed. (TESOL), Shenandoah University; B.A. (Psychology), Radford University

Professional Highlights

An innovative education leader with extensive experience supporting multilingual learners, advancing equity, and strengthening family–school partnerships. Currently serves as Senior Manager II in the Office of Multilingual Learner Services at Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), co-leading systemwide ESOL program development, assessment, and instructional improvement efforts impacting more than 36,000 students. Oversees and mentors instructional staff and specialists, leads professional learning initiatives, manages fiscal and human resources, and represents the division in policy, compliance, and community advocacy efforts. Has presented nationally and internationally on culturally responsive teaching, multilingual learner instruction, family engagement, equity-centered leadership, and educator wellness through organizations such as TESOL International Association, WIDA, universities, and school districts. Actively engaged in professional service and leadership through organizations including the Hispanic Educators Alliance/Hispanic Leadership Alliance, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS), and FCPS advisory and affinity groups. Previous roles include Educational Specialist in Equity and Cultural Responsiveness, ESOL resource and assessment teacher, classroom teacher, and international school coordinator, providing a comprehensive, practitioner-informed perspective on multilingual education in both U.S. and global contexts.

Research

Research focuses on family–school partnerships, multilingual learners in K–12 education, equity-centered and culturally responsive practices, and the social and policy factors shaping educational contexts. Additional interests include qualitative research methods, leadership development, educator wellness, and hiring and retention of a diverse workforce.

Publications and Selected Presentations:

Publications

• Gómez Portillo, M. J. (Forthcoming, 2026). Family outreach and engagement. In Empowering Educators of Newcomers: A Comprehensive Guide to Instruction and Inclusion. TESOL International Association.
• Gómez Portillo, M. J., Trinh, E. T., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Spilling the tea: Stories of confronting and addressing racism in ESOL classrooms. In Antiracist Teacher Education: Theory and Practice. Association of Teacher Educators & Rowman & Littlefield.
• Gómez Portillo, M. J. (2021). Living under the radar: Family engagement perceptions, experiences, and contributing factors among Indigenous Guatemalan families in the United States. Doctoral dissertation, Shenandoah University.
• -Pentón Herrera, L. J., Trinh, E. T., & Gómez Portillo, M. J. (2021). Cultivating calm and stillness at the doctoral level: A collaborative autoethnography. Educational Studies, 57(4).

Selected Presentations

• Practical Strategies for Increasing Critical Thinking. Keynote address, TESOL International Association & U.S. Embassy English Language Conference, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 2025.
• Incorporating Project-Based Learning to Boost Productive Language Skills. TESOL International Association & U.S. Embassy English Language Conference, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 2025.
• Total Physical Response: Activate Language with Action. TESOL International Association & U.S. Embassy English Language Conference, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 2025.
• Educator Wellness and Eliminating Burnout. TESOL International Association & U.S. Embassy English Language Conference, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 2025.
• Culturally Responsive Teaching: Creating a Culture of Dignity in Our Schools. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2024.
• Partnering with Indigenous Families from Latin America. Colorín Colorado / LEAD4CHANGE Webinar, 2023.
• Culturally Responsive Family Engagement: Amplifying the Voices of Diverse Families. TESOL International Association ELevate Conference, 2022.
• Supporting English Learners through Extracurricular Activities and Community Partnerships. WIDA Annual Conference, 2019.

Personal Highlights

Proud Salvadoran with international teaching and leadership experience, including over a decade working in China. Fluent in Spanish and English, with proficiency in Mandarin Chinese.

Fields of Expertise

• Multilingual Learner (ML/EL) Education
• Family–School Partnerships and Engagement
• Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leadership
• Equity-Centered Educational Practices
• English Language Development and WIDA Assessment
• Professional Learning and Instructional Coaching
• Educational Leadership and Policy
• International and Global Education

Quote

Courageous leadership is guided by the voices and lived experiences of those we serve; they must inform the bold actions we take as we shape the future of our society.”