People

Staff

Sam Finn

Director

Sam Finn is the Director of the California Newcomer Network and the Director of Newcomer Policy & Practice at Californians Together. A former teacher and union representative, he has served as an organizer and advocate for newcomers at local, state, and national levels. His data analysis and research have been used by California state agencies and shared as a reference by the U.S. Department of Education.

Efraín Tovar

Founder

Efraín Tovar is the founder of the California Newcomer Network and a teacher in Selma Unified School District. A three-time Teacher of the Year, he has served as vice president of both the Selma Unified Teachers Association and Central Valley CUE—now the Central Valley CALIE (California Association for Leading Innovation in Education) affiliate. He is a Google Certified Innovator and Trainer, as well as a MetaMetrics Ambassador. His work supporting newcomer and multilingual learners has been featured by PBS, Edutopia, and other national media platforms.

Advisory Committee

The CANN Advisory Committee is a group of dedicated education professionals, lawyers, researchers, and advocates. They help shape network’s approach to field support and development.

Melissa Adamson

Senior Attorney
National Center for Youth Law
Katie Annand

Managing Attorney
Immigrant Legal Defense
Ruth Barajas

Project Director
Californians Together
Lindsey Bird

Director of Programs
Teach Plus California
Deedy Camarena

Principal
Gilroy Unified School District
Nestor Henrriquez

State & Federal Coordinator
Merced County Office of Education
Mary Hernandez

Legal Counsel
Garcia Hernandez Sawhney, LLP
Jenn Guerrero

Multilingual Learner Specialist
Sonoma County Office of Education
Tony Mora

District Advisor, RELS Region 9
San Diego County Office of Education
Jeannie Myung

Director of Policy
Policy Analysis for California Education
Elvira Ledezma Pedraza

Curriculum Support Provider
Sanger Unified School District
Angelina Romano

Social Worker
San Francisco Unified School District