Meet the team

About Us

Meet the educators and leaders committed to supporting inclusive learning environments and advancing opportunities for multilingual learners across the Central Valley.

Nestor Henrriquez

Co-Founder

Nestor Henrriquez is a Los Angeles native who moved to the Central Valley to attend UC Merced, where he began his journey in education. His work with immigrant and refugee students sparked a passion for advocating for English learners and creating inclusive, culturally responsive classrooms. As a Teach Plus Fellow, he joined a statewide network of equity-focused educators. Previously the ELA/ELD Coordinator, Nestor now serves as State & Federal Coordinator at the Simply Educated, supporting LCAP development, compliance, and equity-driven initiatives. He is committed to advancing educational equity and success for multilingual learners.

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Erika Davalos-Lemus

Co-Founder

Erika Davalos-Lemus is an experienced educator and instructional leader with a strong background in teaching, staff development, classroom management, lesson planning, and teacher training. She holds a bachelor's degree in Education from California State University, Stanislaus. Throughout her career, she has supported educators in strengthening instructional practices and creating meaningful learning experiences for students. In her role as Senior State & Federal Coordinator, Erika brings her classroom experience and collaborative leadership approach to supporting schools and districts in navigating educational programs, strengthening implementation, and promoting student success.

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Manuel Cavazos

Co-Founder

Manuel Cavazos brings more than two decades of experience in K–12 education and educational leadership, including work with the Simply Educated and Dos Palos Oro Loma Joint Unified School District. His professional focus is on improving educational outcomes for diverse learners through innovative special education practices and inclusive learning environments. He works collaboratively with educators to strengthen classroom management, instructional strategies, and the thoughtful integration of technology. As Inclusion Coordinator, Manuel is dedicated to building educational systems that support student engagement, access, and meaningful opportunities for every learner.

View Manuel's LinkedIn profile