Board of Directors

Carmen Grace is the Director of Academics and Elementary School at Risen Christ Catholic
School in South Minneapolis. She is an experienced Dual Language teacher who has worked in
the educational field for almost a decade. who grew up in a bilingual and multicultural
household.
In 2022, Carmen Grace earned her Master of Education (M. Ed.) in Dual Language Immersion
Education from the University of Minnesota.
Carmen Grace’s work as the Director of the Elementary School is to enhance her
students through supporting the families which led her to join the LYDC Board of
Directors. Carmen Grace joined the Board of Directors in December of 2023.

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José owns and operates Minnesota Interpreters and Translators, LLC. He is an experienced language service and cultural liaison leader, with a demonstrated history of cross-cultural work. José began teaching and became a tutor at an early age. He has been involved in education, as a student, teacher, and administrator, most of his life. He has a strong background in education, development and assessment of curricula, and leadership.

In 2016, José earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) focused on Higher Education from Bethel University. He also has a doctorate in medicine from the University of Minnesota and most recently graduated from a Mini MBA program, focused on minority small business entrepreneurship.

José’s deep passion for education and for social justice led him to join LYDC’s board of directors in January of 2018, shortly after which he assumed the role of secretary. José’s current educational projects include working with LYDC around social justice issues and bringing professional development opportunities to language services providers from the diverse communities of Minnesota. José is also working on a curricula assessment measures project named the COIN Project.