Francela Lopez

Francela Lopez is a dedicated leader in multilingual education with over two decades of experience advocating for English Learners (ELs). Her passion for this work is deeply personal—having immigrated from Guatemala and experienced the challenges of learning English firsthand, she is committed to ensuring that every language learner student receives the support and opportunities they deserve.

Francela began her career as a bilingual educator in 2002 and has served as the Director of Language Learning for Berwyn North School District 98 for over 10 years. There, she leads with a vision of equity, access, and excellence for multilingual learners. In addition to her district leadership, she has been an active member of the Illinois Association of Multilingual and Multicultural Education (IAMME) Board for over a decade and currently sits on the IALAS Board as the Secretary II, continuing her advocacy at the state level.

With an unwavering dedication to multilingual education, Francela remains committed to empowering students, supporting educators, and strengthening communities through language and learning.